'Immersion' is a word that has been thrown around alot during this generation of gaming. But what does it mean? Destructoid takes a look at what people claim 'immersion' is, and why it's just a nonsense buzzword...

I keep hearing that word: Immersion. What does it mean? Why is it so damn important? Why does it appear, according to the rumblings on game sites, message boards, and blogs, to be a quality that is unattainable on anything other than the most high-end hardware available? Does that mean that games we consider immersive today will no longer be as immersive tomorrow? Why isn't there a clear-cut definition?

At the very least, "immersion" describes the state in which a person is completely absorbed in an activity. In the case of videogames, to be immersed is to be so totally engaged that we discard all our cares and worries in order to devote all our attention to playing the game. Sometimes we lose track of the time or put off necessities like eating or using the toilet just so we can get to that next save marker, that next town, that finish line.

But really, to what extent does atmosphere alone keep a player engrossed? I'm not downplaying the importance of presentation as an effective means of drawing you into a game. Obviously, a game that is critically lauded for being having fantastic character models and a beautiful ambient soundtrack is going to be more immediately appealing than a game that is lambasted for looking like a graphic design major's first semester homework assignment. We are reminded every day of the benefits of making a good first impression whether it is in preparation for a job interview or in meeting a significant other's relatives for the first time. Outward presentation doesn't always reflect internal value, but it does inspire confidence that quality and care were heavily invested.

Miss Razz via destructoid.com »