Seems like a summation of the human condition. Hm.

The people who didn't "get" the joke are funnier than the joke itself.

" Explain horde mode "

" @Icemael: Cliffy B? "

" @OmegaPirate said:

" Explain horde mode "

Horde mode is a metaphor for someone with a mental problem caused by an irremovable, constantly growing brain tumor. No matter how hard he fights, and no matter how many loved ones he has to help him, he's not going to make any progress (symbolized by the fact that you stay one the same map for the duration of the mode), and the psychological demons are only going to get worse (represented by the Locust getting progressively stronger). All he can do is prolong his suffering -- the tumor will inevitably kill him (represented by the game ending), whether by driving him to suicide (if he gets killed by the Locust) or by eating away at his brain until it can no longer function (if he reaches level 50). 
 
@Wrighteous86 said:

" @Icemael: Cliffy B? "

What about him? "

I think you maybe reading too much into this. 
 
It's a story about humanity clinging onto its home world, and it's struggles. Nothing more. Cocaine is a helluva drug.

" @Icemael: I've heard him (sincerely) make similar claims about Gears and now I'm suspicious... Secret account?  Did you or did you not create Jazz Jackrabbit? Answer the question! "

I dunno if that makes it art, but damn if that isn't interesting.

And here I thought the game was about a fraternity :/

" @Icemael: I've heard him (sincerely) make similar claims about Gears and now I'm suspicious... Secret account?  Did you or did you not create Jazz Jackrabbit? Answer the question! "

i think you're looking at this from the perspective of a high school english teacher  
gears of war was not meant to be overanalyzed
everything can have more meaning the more you think about it 
i dont know, maybe im wrong and young clifford meant it the way you see it

Yes, I agree that the valourisation of "game art" to mask the failings of derivative and poorly designed games is a sham. However, I think you're collapsing the distinction between the indie/art game movement and the finest examples of interactive vg storytelling we currently possess, such as the Silent Hill series (you're quite wrong about SH2). The latter is not "independent", does not ghettoise itself as an art game, or demand that you interpret the game rather than play it. If Silent Hill has failings it comes from attempting to limit the player's efficacy in combat and other characteristic features of the survival horror genre - in any case its mechanics don't preclude it from being of high narrative achievement, without the relentless self-advertisement and pretention of the indie darlings. It utilises design and environmental storytelling, heavily influenced by psychonalysis and cinematic tropes, to deliver a narrative that is interactive, intelligent, and nuanced.
 
Anyway, I think the sooner we put the dichotomy between mechanics and narrative to rest, the sooner we can move to an understanding of video games, let alone actual criticism.

OP's post makes way too much sense if I start to think about it.

"I dunno if that makes it art, but damn if that isn't interesting. "

" I dunno if that makes it art, but damn if that isn't interesting. "

Games are art regardless of their narrative qualities. Fuck Typing is just as much art as Shadow of the Colossus. 
 
Gears of War is a pretty shitty game, though.

Games in general are art.

" @Chokobo said:

" @Icemael said:

" Some people say Gears of War is not Art. Some people say it is juvenile and brainless, and that we should play games like Passage, Braid, Limbo and Silent Hill 2 -- games full of symbolism -- games open to interpretation -- games with deeper meaning and important messages. However, these people are wrong! Gears of War is neither juvenile nor brainless! It is just as full, if not fuller

Stopped reading there. "

What's wrong with it? "

When did people stop understanding humour?

Well written in anycase, gave me a laugh.

Good read. Bravo, sir.

" Wait, wait, wait, Jim Sterling posts here? "