In chapter twelve, “Kitsch,” of How to Do Things with Videogames, Bogost compares the paintings of Thomas Kinkade to these games of kitsch – “art urging overt sentimentality, focused on the overt application of convention, without particular originality” (Bogost 83).  Bogost seems to suggest that the only purpose for these games is to acquire tens of millions of players as Kinkade’s pieces sell tens of millions of copies.

I wonder if, though, we could perhaps find another purpose for these games. Perhaps the creators of these kitsch games did truly have something else in mind when they created the games. Perhaps these games could be used for some sort of anti-depressant for younger children. The games are simple, bright, and cheery. This positive message could be used for children who tend towards depression and suicidal thoughts.

I wonder if these games could be used for art as well. Bogost explains that many of these games can be truly beautiful and focus on the music in the game quite a lot. The players could look at these games as pieces of art and/or pieces of music.

I guess my main question for this chapter would be questioning the purpose of kitsch games. Do they truly have a purpose? Are they just games to attract tens of millions of players? Is it all for money? Or did the creators of these games have an underlying purpose for their games such as the two listed above? Are there any other purposes for these games? Or are they stupid casual games that no one should truly care about?