Hybrid Gaming

I just thought about this topic recently given how RPG topics of late somehow point to some innovation or other in terms of game mechanics or fluff content. It was a thought that was niggling in my mind when I recalled an old issue of Videogaming Illustrated in the 80's. That magazine was published during the height of old school consoles like the Atari 2600, Intellivision, Colecovision and PC gaming was still in its infancy with machines like the Apple II, Commodore 64 and Sinclair computers. Arcade gaming was pretty much a mainstay even till now but the current generation gaming consoles have games which port over from its arcade machine siblings. I read an article in that magazine, unable to recall that particular issue, there was a way to use console games to support, augment or assist visualization for a tabletop RPG, whether it be an off-the-shelf RPG system or a homebrew. The article mentions how an enterprising GM would use the console game as an alternative to task resolution via die rolls or as interactive aid to get the player more immersed into the setting of the game as well do the needed resolution.

That article was back in the late 80's. Fast forward now to 2005 or soon-to-be 2006. The current generation of console games are pretty much interactive and a game unto itself to grab the imagination and attention of the player as compared to before since imagination doesn't fill in the blanks compared to its cruder ancestors. The thought of adding a new generation console game into the presentation process would be either a enhancement or a distraction, depending on how the enterprising GM would intend for the use of the game in question, whether it be for visual references, to better illustrate the task involved for the campaign or just adding a touch of fun for it. Its just quite a thought to ponder. It might also bring some life back to some of those old games gathering dust somewhere in your own home. It is an avenue t further interactivity to be considered.