Thurs 1pm Section: Manovich

While reading Manovich's article, I found myself solely focused on the idea of control in respect to VR (Virtual Realities) especially in the progressive changes in modern video games. The interface of a video game still takes into account the concept of control. The user feels they control the destiny of their virtual world, but this is a common misconception. The outcome of the game, or result if you will, is already determined. Therefore, how can the user have complete control if the path and destination have already been determined?

In the most advanced video games to date, the first-person visuals allow you to create your own character in a virtual world. Although the perspective of a first-person video game doesn't necessarily change the control, but alters it. The virtual worlds in which the characters exist begin to affect and change the interface (leaving an object at a previously visited spot, or seeing an event from any angle). This makes me question whether or not every possibility has been reviewed at every possible angle or true randomness can occur in the virtual world? In essence, I want to know if the progressive changes in video games is ultimately leading to a true alternate reality where there is no form of control except in the hands of the user?

Lastly, although it's repetitive, I want to touch on the point about interface control on everyday devices. Being an iPhone user myself, I find it interesting that it's rectangular interface, or homepage if you will, is a form of control through imprisonment. I think the iPhone is a revolutionary device that allows anyone to access any information anywhere in the world, so any form of control or imprisonment, to be frank, sounds far reaching.