Videogames don't NEED to be violent

As much as I enjoyed the Bulletstorm demo last week, I really have been thinking about violence in videogames lately. As much as I love over the top weapons and the option to "kill with skill", right now I am casually playing two very fun games that either have no violence, or have violence as an auxiliary mechanic. You don't always need to bet on Duke.

The first is a game for Android and iPhone's called A Game Developer story. Developed by a small Japanese studio called Kairosoft, the game is skinner box gameplay to the core. You play the role of a small game developer trying to hire the right staff, develop games and consoles, and make as much money as you can in 20 years. The game is way too much fun and for roughly $4 USD you can't get much better. Between commutes and just being bored I am easily 30 hours in. It's a fun mechanic, could be a lot deeper if it wasn't a game for phones, and even as a shallow waste of time is very good at what it does.

The other game I picked up on Impulse for $9.99 USD is Caesar 4. The game is a city builder based on the Roman Empire (as the name may suggest) and the main gameplay element is juggling. It's about expanding your resources, providing food and amenities for your populace, growing your economy, defending yourself from invaders, and keeping Rome happy all at the same time. There is combat in the game, but it is a secondary mechanic; it is not the reason you boot up the game. It is just another aspect to juggle along with making pots and making sure the middle class has enough booze.

Granted there are probably better, contemporary examples of compelling non combat gameplay....