In the last two posts, we have thought about video games and how they are not (strictly speaking) inherently wrong as a medium – they can be a joy and a pleasure as we explore the mind’s creations come to virtual life.
But hopefully we all know video games are also a bane on the human condition because they magnify the human condition – they can bring out some pretty ugly things stored within us. Our chasing after pleasure finds a never-ending pit in the video game world. Games are designed with addictive elements at the very foundations. Screen time and hours played are the metrics of success in the market of gaming.
So although I’ve argued that there is no inherent issue with the medium (much like books, movies, TV, and social media) the medium is still the vector for a vast array of unhelpful content. There is a certain kind of formula used by video game designers; small incremental rewards to keep you engaged as you progress step by step, little deposits of potentially special loot to give a sense of luck and the thrill of gambling mixed in, grinding missions that are pointless but essential to attain the required weapon to proceed (or make it easier to). These are some pretty standard engagement methods.
Moderation is the friend of the gamer. But as we can see, moderation is the enemy of the creator. That’s not to say there are no real gems on the video game market. Games driven by a sense of story and adventure, with profound messages and creative designs or problems that can exhilarate at times do exist. But it is much more akin to a ‘needle in a haystack’ situation than otherwise. So even when we as a gamer want to engage responsibly with the medium, the odds are stacked against us. We would be naïve to think otherwise. In the modern climate of media consumption there is a sense of honour at the hours we sink into consuming media, which I would say is particularly the case in video gaming (this shows up in reviews and is one of the first metrics you will see on your console or gaming client).
In the end, although I have stated in the two prior posts that there is not necessarily anything wrong with the medium of video games (again, strictly speaking), I’m also not going to endorse them because of the amount of power that video games can hold over the mind and body. Even though there is nothing inherent in the medium that makes it wrong, the current culture of video gaming is worth warning against. I think it’s too easy to say that moderation is the answer. Although moderation is the answer, that answer is rather quixotic. Like saying peace is the answer to war.
In my opinion, it takes great wisdom, willpower and discipline to engage in video games. I also think that there are few of us who play video games who have the necessary wisdom, willpower and discipline to do so well.
This leads me to one other thought: if the medium of video games is not inherently wrong yet it’s worth warning against the consumption of video games, how do we talk/advise/counsel each other about video games? We love giving black-and-white answers to each other, or black-and-white opinions, but in the case of video games I think it’s hard to state a black-and-white stance. To give one side without the other is to misrepresent either side. Often video gamers are on the defensive without taking seriously the issues presented by video gaming. On the other side, those who condemn video games do so from a place that leaves them open to hypocrisy or legalism.
I’m not sure what the middle ground is. I’d say moderation, but as I’ve said already, moderation in the current media environment is elusive and even burdensome to chase. I might suggest that one disengage from video games as a general rule, but that might verge upon legalistic.
Really, much prayer is needed. Accountability is needed, self-reflection and honesty. But what is also needed is for the videogame market to reform. But you can’t change the world. Worldliness will always exist on this side of heaven (the good and the bad of it). But hopefully this post helps us think about how we engage with each other and with this particular kind of worldliness, with wisdom.
Bigvai and Shiphrah 