I was all set to write about something else today. It can be pushed to next week. I felt compelled to write something else today, however brief it may be.
The state of the world feels like it is in turmoil. There are a lot of people out there hurting. There are people out there hurting and driven to do terrible things because of it. This begets more hurting.
But I’m already off the subject.
When I read things in the news, I feel hopeless, lost, and impotent to do anything that will have a positive impact, even in the smallest way. Inversely, this makes me think about all the good things I’ve done in games. How I made my town the best it could be in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. How I saved the little sisters in BioShock. How I took out all those viruses in Dr. Mario. How I restored nature to the land in Okami.
In the grand scheme of life, these accomplishments may be inconsequential, but they allowed me to make changes for the better, changes I could see with my own eyes. I did something and it had a positive effect and I saw that and perhaps that made me feel even remotely better about some of those hopeless feelings.
I’ve never much felt that games allow people an escape, but I’m sure for some they are. For me they are a way to explore. They allow me to do things I may never get the opportunity to do in reality, in this case, make real changes that could impact people (or creatures) for the better.
It may not change anything in reality, but it does help me feel less at loose ends. Less like I am powerless.
In Okami, you restore nature to the land bit by bit, and it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in a game. Using the Bloom brushstroke on withered trees to bring them back to life. Feeding the creatures you come across to increase their happiness (and your own). It was a beautiful game about bringing something wonderful back to the land.
I’ll never forget what it was like to feed any given animal, to sit across the large flat rock from them while offering up food. The camera spinning gently while cherry blossom petals float around you.
It’s nothing short of magic.
After reading the news last night, I felt hopeless. Things happened, senseless things, things out of my control, and sometimes I don’t know what to do with myself. Concentrating on anything can be difficult in times like that. But to be able to put myself into a game and to try to be constructive and productive, albeit in a digital format, is helpful.
At least to me.
I’m sorry if this didn’t make sense, but I was thinking how awfully grateful I am for games that allow me to make a difference. I know games aren’t real, but the positive effects I feel after accomplishing something that helps the world within the game, those positive effects are real for me.
I hope everyone has a safe weekend. Please be kind to one another, friends.
Categories: games
Rebekah Lang 
Not taking away from your blog. I agree that the world is getting worse. I feel as though the killings of Black men & women takes a precedence. When are we as a people going to stand up & say something about these “rogue” cops or cops who are KKK masquerading as an “upstanding officer”. Also, where is the accountability? Are they doing it for the right reason? Are you doing it to just wear a badge; get a paycheck? Are you trying to build a relationship with the people in your community; those that you serve? Rebekah, sorry to break your blog. I just had to get that off of my chest. I am tired of seeing my brothers & sisters being killed. No one should be killed for the color of their skin. It’s the 60’s all over again. The worst part is that the cops will most likely get off because it’s just another person. Just my two cents!
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I don’t think you are taking away from anything, Richard. I think you are adding to it.
I don’t even know what to think anymore about all these officer related shootings. Something is clearly wrong, but how to fix it. How to make sure it isn’t happening when it shouldn’t? I feel lost on that front. There is part of me that knows the rigorous process that an officer must go through before they are allowed to be an officer. Yet certain officers out there are giving the majority a bad name, and that’s not right on another level. People shouldn’t have to worry that they will be shot because of the color of their skin, especially when they aren’t breaking the law.
It’s heartbreaking. I just don’t understand what’s going on in some of these cases.
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Great article, and I hear what you’re saying. I felt the same when repairing the damage done by the Skull Kid in Zelda: Majora’s Mask.
Digitiser’s Mr. Biffo had a piece recently on how video games are the “only society that makes sense, which you might find interesting on this subject: http://www.digitiser2000.com/main-page/gaming-the-only-society-that-makes-sense-by-mr-biffo
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Thank you. And I will absolutely read it.
And you’ve also reminded me how much I want to play Majora’s Mask on my 3DS!
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That is actually true, some games show us that good side of the world which is slowly fading away. Such events will always happen from time to time, and no matter how sad or angry we feel about them, something will shine for us somewhere. I’m glad video games serve for that purpose.
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As am I, my friend.
And thank you for being here!
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Great post, Rebekah and I know exactly what you mean. A feeling so helpless with what’s happening in the real world, it’s good that we can at least do good in our virtual world..
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Thank you. You distilled it perfectly; well said.
It almost makes me want to go back to Xanadu (my Animal Crossing town) to catch up with my townsanimals. I could pull up some of the inevitable weeds, run around to various houses, and spend some time on Tortimer’s island.
Actually, the more I think about it, the nicer it sounds.
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