Why Do You Play?

Editors Note: I want to apologize ahead of time as the writing of this piece may come across as a bit scatterbrained. I was writing this at a time with very little sleep and a lot of Red Bull. I realize I could edit it down, but I think it's kind of fun in a way just so you know where I was at mentally at the time of writing. I was feeling sentimental, but the words were coming out completely jumbled up. If nothing else I hope this will be an entertaining read. ~MartyVader

For years I have wondered exactly why video games have become such a cornerstone in my life. I've always felt a sense of guilt about playing them like I should be doing something else with my time, but at the same time I was being whisked away to far away lands, interacting with characters out of the normal vanilla life that we live in, and making friends and telling stories that I would otherwise not have access to. I've been thinking about it and I've listed a few different reasons on why they have been such a big deal to me and why I think they've grown into a multi billion dollar industry.

In it's very basic form video games are a form of entertainment not unlike movies and television. There is nothing like kicking back after a hard days work and putting in your favorite video game and going anywhere else but here. I think what makes video games unique, and why I personally feel they are superior to movies or television, is that they are an interactive medium. In most games you control the actions of a particular character and you put yourself in their shoes. Games can also let you loose in a world where you self-generate your own stories. Games such as Minecraft showcase this form of storytelling perfectly as there is no story to speak of and it's up to you to generate one for yourself. There are different types of games from first person shooters, to RPGs, to puzzle games and everything in between. There's a game out there for everyone to enjoy which is why I feel that video games as an entertainment medium have become so prolific.

More than just a form of escapism, video games can teach many powerful life skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and empathy. Multiplayer games especially require that teams work together to achieve certain tasks and because video games can be entertaining and fun, kids and adults alike will be willing to put themselves into situations that they normally wouldn't. A large portion of people who play video games consider themselves to be introverts, or people that do better in situations by themselves than one with other people, but even they will hook a microphone and talk to their teammates in a heated match of Overwatch or Team Fortress 2. If you are worried that you have to play with other people there are singleplayer games too for people who just want to enjoy the story or gameplay at their own pace.

As a creative endeavor it is easier now more than anytime in history to be a game developer. There is a large variety of software to pick from with just as many different programming languages for you to engage in. Even if the idea of scripting and coding seems overwhelming there are hundreds of tutorials on YouTube and even visual scripting languages like the one found in Game Maker Studio 2. Visual scripting is great for a visual learner like myself because you plug in different nodes that activate different kinds of code which is much easier on the eyes than looking at a wall of complicated scripts. This can be a double-edged sword as anyone who has been on Steam can tell you with there being hundreds of terrible game clones and rip offs. That being said you can also get indie darlings such as Undertale (which was made in Game Maker), Stardew Valley, and Axiom Verge just to name a few.

As with any hobby you have to find a work/play balance that works for you. Video games can be a great escape from the drudgery of day to day life. I'm thankful that we live in a time where this medium exists where we can share stories, enjoy each others company, and get excited for all of the new releases coming out big and small. Growing up in small town with parents that worked hard jobs I had to find ways to keep myself entertained. There were no big shops around, no movie theaters, no hang out spots, and so video games helped me go places that I never thought I could. Video games gave me a bit of respite from a world that felt cold and lonely and allowed me to be the hero of my own story. Now that I'm older with a family of my own I can't wait to share my love of video games with my children. I'm excited to boot up Pokemon or Mario and watch them play with that same enthusiasm as I did. As long as video games are around I will be here shouting their praises. Thanks for reading :)

~MartyVader