¶ … Speed (NFS), the popular racing game that has arrived, I think, at its eighth version already (without mentioning sidetracks such as Need for Speed Underground). The game is highly successful and it incorporates what we may refer to as "role-playing," although not in the meaning generally associated with another category of videogames.
First of all, Need For Speed is not about driving, but about racing, something we all must enjoy doing once in a while, because it is on the edge and, perhaps, also because it is illegal. It is still illegal in the game, with cops chasing you when you pass the legal limit, however, as the greatest advantage of any videogame, even if you are caught, nothing happens to you in real life.
So, as a first observation, NFS was created as a predictable reaction to the outside restrictive environment (we will see later on whether there are any implications from NFS). This is a characteristic generally shared by many computer games, from strategy to role playing to flight simulators: you get to be someone you are not in real life, may it be a pilot, a general or a rally driver. This is exciting, both for teenagers, who are still building their own universe and for grown ups, who have a place with different rules to retreat to.
The second thing about NFS is the cars. Not only do you get to drive, but you drive incredible cars, from Jaguar to Lotus and from Ferrari to Lamborghini. Obviously, these are the types of cars a regular person does not generally drive. Yet, NFS makes it possible.
Third of all, Need For Speed includes the necessity of performance as a criteria for success. Indeed, as you start of in the game with...
This seems important to note, as it may have some implications in real life as well.
From the description of the game so far, Need For Speed appears to be a combination between role playing (rally driving, something you do not necessarily do in real life) and economic venturing. Let's have a look into both aspects, in order to analyze any possible implications that may arise.
First of all, I have mentioned role playing. As any form of reality denial or rather temporary denial, NFS can prove a positive factor, but only to a point. Admittedly, we all feel the need to ditch real life from time to time, simply take a break from it and there are several ways to do it.
Many people turn to books, which, just as much as videogames, are a different reality in which we like to plunge. Music, the theater, forms of entertainment in general, are forms of temporary refusal of real life aspects. In many cases, just as much as in video games, forms of entertainment provide ways in which we can, at least for a strict period of time, adopt different personalities or imagine ourselves in posture less probable in real times.
As I have previously mentioned, Need For Speed achieves exactly this dimension. It is interesting to note, however, that many videogames (and NFS is…
