Spore is Spreading Its Seed

Spore has recently received the honor of the 20th best invention in 2008, according to Time Magazine. This is kind of a big deal for a video game. I mean, out of all the things invented this year, Time chose to honor a video game within its pages (as well as a Retail DNA Test, Hulu, and the LHC). Is this a step into accepting games as art? Perhaps. But imagine the impact this has on the casual market. With such a presence in a magazine revered as nothing less than uber-respected, sales should shoot through the roof. Many roofs, in fact. I hope someone has roof insurance and knows a good shingle salesman.

It seems our pastime is garnering more positive attention recently than it has received in the last ten years combined. The Wii is touted as a fun-producing machine that every family must have, and Mr. Miyamoto has been named the most influential person of the year according to the public (or the mass army of vote bots). I am almost baffled as to this 180 degree turn in attitude towards video games, but baffled in the best way possible.

Feel the influence

I can walk down the street, talking to strangers about video games without getting scowls, or people hiding their kids from me. I can drive around in my car with a gaming podcast blowing out my speakers without shame. Now when I stay up for hours upon hours building levels in LittleBigPlanet or discovering places in Fallout 3, I feel as though I’m contributing to society.

It’s great to see our hobby finally getting some good PR instead of the usual “kid beats kid to death with cat for sealed copy of Earthbound“. This is truly a great time to be a gamer.