You might have heard of the Harlem Shake, where people dance to music and shake their cans at the same time. Well, we have something similar here in Scotland: we call it the Otoplay. It is, essentially, a game where two players, each armed with a pair of earmuffs, compete to be the first to hear the sounds of different pop songs. While the video game industry has shifted to mobile and app games, the demand for console and PC games has not diminished, especially among the generation of gamers that grew up in the era of Pokémon Go and social media.
In the grand tradition of Pong and Breakout, Otep and Kizomba are two of the most popular games from the 1980s and early 90s, and for good reason. They are simple to play yet feature complicated rulesets and offer a wide range of strategies for competitive game sessions.
Otep
Otep, which comes from the Japanese word for “ear”, was originally created in 1978 as a puzzle game by a company called Metanome. In 1981, the game was brought to the American market by a company called Nintendo. You play as a tiny creature named Otep, who has the ability to shoot spikes from his fingers. These spikes can kill his enemies and protect him from harm. Your goal is to use your dexterity to navigate mazes and hunt down the various animal-like creatures that inhabit them. Otep was originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan in 1981 and then later for the Family Computer in 1986.
Kizomba
Kizomba, which translates as “headband” in Swahili, was first manufactured in 1927 and has been a popular headwear style ever since. It was originally designed for people with disabilities, but people with mental health issues often wore them, as well. The band is named after the Kizomba dance, which involves shaking your head and body to the rhythm of the music. It is usually played using a keyboard or controller and features a variety of gameplay modes, including classic two-player mode, where you and your opponent take on the role of two Kizomba dancers engaging in a duel. Kizomba was first released for the Apple II in 1977 and then later ported to all major gaming consoles, including the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Sega Genesis, and the Super NES.
The History of Otep and Kizomba
Otep was originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan in January of 1981. It was designed by Satoshi Tajiri and released to critical acclaim. Otep was later ported to the Apple II and released two years later in August of 1983. During these years, many different versions of the game were released for different platforms. In the following years, many imitators tried to take on the game’s unique blend of rhythm and puzzle solving, but none were able to capture the same magic that has made it so popular.
In September of 1986, Kizomba was released by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System. This was actually the English localization of a slightly different game called “Kizomba”, which was originally released in Japan that same year. The two games feature many of the same mechanics and are quite compatible with each other, but the translation to English was not always perfect. Since then, Kizomba has been ported to many different consoles and computer platforms. It was also available for the Nintendo Switch in July of this year.
Competitive Gaming in the Era of Pokémon Go and Social Media
The world of Pokémon Go and social media has changed the way we interact and play games. It has opened up gaming, both on mobile and console, to a huge audience. While the original intent behind Pokémon Go was just to get people to leave their houses and get some fresh air, it quickly became apparent that these games were much more addictive and engaging than anyone would have predicted. It was, in many ways, the ultimate expression of escapism through digital media. While the focus was once on finishing the game and moving on to the next, many people now spend more time playing games than doing anything else.
The increase of interest in console and PC games has not gone unnoticed by the video game industry. Along with mobile games, these are considered to be the “traditional” games. What this means is that these are the types of games that were around before the era of touchscreen devices and social media. While touchscreen games are considered to be “mainstream” these days, they are still often referred to as “penny games” or “burger-flippers” because of their low price tags and the large number of people who play them. Console games, on the other hand, are often seen as “classic” games. This is because they require skill and are considered to be more engaging than anything else. While there are certainly many casual games available on mobile, console and PC games are, for the most part, played by enthusiasts who want to master a challenging game.
As with any other hobby or activity, there are a lot of different ways to play games. Some people like to sit back and relax while their consoles or PC handles the work. For others, it is about having as much fun as possible during the game session while making the most out of their time. There are certainly pros and cons to both ways of playing, but one thing is for sure: playing games is good for your health!