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Gamers come together to meet and compete in national gaming competitions. Digital Rising Sowing the Gaming Seed By Joaquin Alvarado Something happened in the last few years that will forever change the way media is produced, consumed, and distributed. With little fanfare, the domestic sales of video games and gaming paraphernalia surpassed the domestic box office sales of motion pictures. This event, while not apocalyptic for the film industry, did prove a few important points for the future of digital media. Traditionally, video gaming has been considered a symptom and cause of our declining social values and structures. But this interpretation ignores the fact that for millions of people, this form of media is successful both creatively and technically. It takes eight dollars and a few hours to see a film; home video games cost 50 bucks, but can be indulged when, and for however long, a gamer decides. This is important to consider when exploring the future of digital media, because it is proof that Hollywood does not control the market for what people spend their time and money on. The entire gaming industry has managed to evolve outside of the control of the studio industry to the south, in fact a large percentage of game producers work right here in the Bay Area. The difference between the two media can be boiled down to one obvious point: Film is a medium you watch; Gaming is a medium you do. While most of Hollywood remains focused on ways of supporting their products, the seeds of something new have been watered. Thousands of people have eschewed the con-fines of traditional production methods, purchased their own cameras, and started making media. At the same time, gaming consoles have become capable of handling increasingly sophisticated graphics and rendering. The current crop of consoles is Internet ready and can be used for basic computing operations. People are still using them to chase zombies, but the potential is there to do more. While the next great work of art may not require a joystick to appreciate, it still raises some serious questions. If a producer wanted to work outside of the Hollywood machine, they could shoot digital, add layers of inter-activity, burn it to DVD, and distribute it as a hybrid of film and gaming. Would anyone buy it? Some synthesis is on the horizon. The established powers on both sides of the industry are aware, and neither wants to miss out. This is where Oakland comes in. Digital imagery has become photo-realistic. Recent successes in attracting film productions to Oakland should be applauded. Many of the ingredients producers look for exist in the city: diverse locations, good weather, golf courses, and great restaurants. Missing are the support industries that continue to make Los Angeles king. This won't change any time soon -- if ever -- there is no need for it to. But Oakland can offer something different. Currently, if a producer wants to develop a project that integrates the new technologies and traditional production, the path is long and winding. There is no geographical bull's eye for what's coming next. Part of the process may have to occur down south, while other aspects are central to the Bay. A willing and welcoming city with proximity to both L.A. and Silicon Valley will likely become the new hub. Oakland is in the perfect position. But before it can hap-pen, there are several fronts the city needs to act on. First, it needs to recognize that digital production is happening within its borders. As a film-maker shooting a project relies on a city's film commission to support and facilitate its successful produc-tion, a digital production needs a localized institution -- a system that helps connect the production team with the city for support and cooperation. Independent digital producers need to see the city as a neces-sary ally. Second, as high-speed networks become increasingly viable options for distribution, Oakland needs to be ahead of the curve by putting a backbone in place for companies to do the research and development necessary to create new tech-nology. This requires investment in infrastructure that people are familiar with. New media pro-ducers need to know that Oakland will be easy to work in and with. Third, Oakland needs a vision that will incorporate the city's population into the jobs and guarantee the city will benefit from the revenue generated. Oakland needs to insure that city residents are trained and ready to not only work in these new media companies, but to start and run them. And finally, there is a need to define educational goals. This, unfortunately, tends to be low on the list of priorities for many companies, but could immediately benefit the city's youth population. As the digital media industry has shown, there is room to expand the market without eliminating existing interests. Oakland has a prime opportunity to cultivate this new media within its borders. Will it? Joaquin Alvarado is an Oakland native. He writes, makes movies, teaches, and does research, not necessarily in that order. [ East Bay | Metroactive | Archives ]