Even better than the real thing
Plenty of pundits have inveighed against the increasing idiocy of basketball these days -- because the players' naked desperation to become the next slam-dunking superstar leads everyone to hog the ball, never pass, and thus destroy any possibility of the team functioning as, well, a team. Michael Sokolove wrote a terrific analysis of this in the New York Times Magazine a few months ago.
If you wanted more -- and weirder -- evidence of the NBA's malaise, read a story on the cover of the Times itself today, in which Seth Schiesel reports on the fact that many young kids and teenagers think the video-game versions of the NBA and the NFL are more interesting than the real-life ones. They'd rather play those games than watch one on TV. And why not? In addition to being able to participate, they can actually play the game as it's supposed to be played -- with teamwork. As one teenager points out:
"I like Kobe, O.K.?," Albert Arce said, referring to Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers star. "But I like to play him because I can make him pass to the other guys. When I see him on TV, it's like he doesn't know how to pass."
Perfect. Personally, I think we should just skip the inevitable transition point here, and emulate South Korea: Instead of televising actual real-life games, let's simply broadcast video-game matches. I'd far rather watch a couple of skilful teenagers try to outsmart each other on the virtual court -- using actual wits, strategy and timing -- than watch the dreary cavalcade of freakshow eugenics that pro sports has become.
While we're at it, hell, why not completely halt all broadcasting of anything remotely related to actual, real-life sports? Put deathmatches of the world's top-ranked Halo, Counterstrike, and Unreal teams on prime-time TV. Then we'd actually have something worth watching!
Posted by Clive Thompson at June 21, 2005 05:13 PM
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South Korea broadcasts virtual basketball games played by teenagers? Holy snap! I swear that was something I read in 1980s-style Neuromancer science fiction about some semi-dystopian future. I guess the future has arrived!
Posted by: Hippolyte at June 21, 2005 8:15 PM
Posted by: Clive at June 21, 2005 8:47 PM
Seth's article is written with a similar you-thought-it-was-real-ha-ha opening structure, as was his article 2 weeks ago about the recent AI and Games conference, in which he highlighted our project Facade.
It's also in the Arts section again. He's on a roll I guess.
Posted by: andrewstern at June 21, 2005 9:02 PM
Heh. I've used that structure myself a few times -- it's an old battleaxe of mainstream video-game journalism. In fact, I'm currently working on gaming story and am trying desperately to figure out a way to open the first scene without the gotcha trick. Sigh.
Posted by: Clive at June 21, 2005 10:27 PM
But, you'll notice come playoff time that the teams that play real team basketball are the ones still alive at the end. The NBA Finals this year is a perfect example.
Posted by: Mark at June 22, 2005 12:58 PM
OMG. I just realized how much of a nerd I am when I got excited about the idea of watching top ranked Halo players on a televised tournament.
Posted by: asantos at June 22, 2005 7:39 PM
If freakshow eugenics aren't your cup of tea, why not watch baseball? Players of a wide range of heights, weights, and strengths (within limits) can make it into the big leagues based on their baseball playing skills. That's why- if you'll let me put on my Old Glory Dr. Seuss hat- it's America's Game.
(I guess you could watch soccer, instead, but then you'd have to watch teams with names that sound like cellphone service plans.)
Posted by: jjazwiecki at June 23, 2005 1:09 AM
Mark, yes, good point -- I've got a friend who runs a basketball blog who pointed that out to me once.
Asantos, I would so totally watch it too! Truly amazing Halo touraments are pretty amazing to watch.
jjazwiecki, that's a good point about baseball. It probably is my favorite spectator game, actually. Though haven't there been a lot of stories lately about the zeal not just for doped-up hitters -- the better to slug home runs -- but physiological attempts to find the ultimate body type for the ultimate hitter?
Posted by: Clive at June 23, 2005 4:45 AM
The influence of sports sims back into the real world is definately happening. In the NASCAR ranks, the games are realistic enough that drivers (esp. the younger ones, the ones of "gaming age", perhaps) get a feel for the different tracks via the playstation/xbox, etc. first. In the still primitive, runnin' from revenuers NASCAR world, sometimes EA Sports is the best source for hard data on track angles and ways to think about setting up the car suspension.
"He'd better spend more time on the video game..." is a half-joking criticism from pit crews.
Posted by: jason at June 23, 2005 10:34 AM
Here's an article about two minor league teams that are letting two fans battle it out in a video game for the first team innings. The teams will then take the field after and whatever happened in the game will stand.
Chicago Tribune
Posted by: Mark at June 23, 2005 2:18 PM
Woops, that's "first TWO innings".
Posted by: Mark at June 23, 2005 2:19 PM
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South Korea broadcasts virtual basketball games played by teenagers? Holy snap! I swear that was something I read in 1980s-style Neuromancer science fiction about some semi-dystopian future. I guess the future has arrived!
Posted by: Hippolyte![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.collisiondetection.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 21, 2005 8:15 PM
Heh.
Posted by: Clive![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.collisiondetection.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 21, 2005 8:47 PM
Seth's article is written with a similar you-thought-it-was-real-ha-ha opening structure, as was his article 2 weeks ago about the recent AI and Games conference, in which he highlighted our project Facade.
It's also in the Arts section again. He's on a roll I guess.
Posted by: andrewstern![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.collisiondetection.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 21, 2005 9:02 PM
Heh. I've used that structure myself a few times -- it's an old battleaxe of mainstream video-game journalism. In fact, I'm currently working on gaming story and am trying desperately to figure out a way to open the first scene without the gotcha trick. Sigh.
Posted by: Clive![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.collisiondetection.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 21, 2005 10:27 PM
But, you'll notice come playoff time that the teams that play real team basketball are the ones still alive at the end. The NBA Finals this year is a perfect example.
Posted by: Mark![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.collisiondetection.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 22, 2005 12:58 PM
OMG. I just realized how much of a nerd I am when I got excited about the idea of watching top ranked Halo players on a televised tournament.
Posted by: asantos![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.collisiondetection.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 22, 2005 7:39 PM
If freakshow eugenics aren't your cup of tea, why not watch baseball? Players of a wide range of heights, weights, and strengths (within limits) can make it into the big leagues based on their baseball playing skills. That's why- if you'll let me put on my Old Glory Dr. Seuss hat- it's America's Game.
(I guess you could watch soccer, instead, but then you'd have to watch teams with names that sound like cellphone service plans.)
Posted by: jjazwiecki![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.collisiondetection.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 23, 2005 1:09 AM
Mark, yes, good point -- I've got a friend who runs a basketball blog who pointed that out to me once.
Asantos, I would so totally watch it too! Truly amazing Halo touraments are pretty amazing to watch.
jjazwiecki, that's a good point about baseball. It probably is my favorite spectator game, actually. Though haven't there been a lot of stories lately about the zeal not just for doped-up hitters -- the better to slug home runs -- but physiological attempts to find the ultimate body type for the ultimate hitter?
Posted by: Clive![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.collisiondetection.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 23, 2005 4:45 AM
The influence of sports sims back into the real world is definately happening. In the NASCAR ranks, the games are realistic enough that drivers (esp. the younger ones, the ones of "gaming age", perhaps) get a feel for the different tracks via the playstation/xbox, etc. first. In the still primitive, runnin' from revenuers NASCAR world, sometimes EA Sports is the best source for hard data on track angles and ways to think about setting up the car suspension.
"He'd better spend more time on the video game..." is a half-joking criticism from pit crews.
Posted by: jason![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.collisiondetection.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 23, 2005 10:34 AM
Here's an article about two minor league teams that are letting two fans battle it out in a video game for the first team innings. The teams will then take the field after and whatever happened in the game will stand.
Chicago Tribune
Posted by: Mark![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.collisiondetection.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 23, 2005 2:18 PM
Woops, that's "first TWO innings".
Posted by: Mark![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.collisiondetection.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 23, 2005 2:19 PM