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In a world that never stops demanding, everyone needs a worthy mental escape. Each year seems to bring more responsibilities as we age and explore discover new directions in life. Many of us begin to realise how little time and energy is left to ourselves. The narrowed space leaves us to crave for a widening escape, to forget about the world’s troubles and be entertained. Some dash off to party their night away, others reach for the beer bottle, while most just crash on their sofa binge-watching their favourite series. What about gaming?! I understand how we relax is not a comparison and will always depend on time and interest. But it is strange to see how few of us express video games as being a good mental break. Video games can be a healthier, more stimulating and social experience than many other choices. This blog post takes time to express appreciation for the world of gaming, its development and its offering.

The craving for an escape:

When it comes to mental health, a life filled with stresses and responsibilities, we all crave a worthy escape. It may strike a sense of guilt but the mind like the physical body realises there is a limit, prompting us to slow down however much we may resist. After all, no one would really know our internal pathologies- our upbringing, traumas, interests and perceptions. Through our personal battles, large and small, each person clutches to their own means to enjoy the fruits of this world.  The moment to escape and enjoy reflects a regaining of authority- to finally do ‘what I want and how’ from a society that pulls and pushes. There are many ways to discover mental escape but we all too well not all are healthy or advisable. When we finally choose to relax, we understandably withdraw to an impulsive pursuit of what makes us feel comfortable; choosing to rewatch our favourite series, indulge in fast-food takeaway or simply switch off and do nothing- the choice belongs to the subjective realm.

On the other hand, this entitlement to relax and reward ourselves can transcend beyond simple pleasure, and connect with finding meaning and accomplishment. The self that reclaims free space is seen wanting purpose even when imposed hierarchies are lifted. As seen across history and most prominently by the Ancient Greeks, leisure forms an important social function for self-development. Many of us do not immediately throw ourselves into anarchy but search for structure, a routine or an exercise that retains our interests/curiosity; at our own pace we can prudently stretch out to claim a meaningful presence in life. People also want to feed their guilty conscience beyond entertainment with learning, exploring and discovering in their savoured time and space. A meaningful escape may be a caravan journey through the idyllic hillside to absorb nature’s bountiful offerings; drawing and painting fantastical creatives as a powerful expression of individual imagination; taking judo lessons to garner strength and confidence in oneself; cleaning, redecorating and cooking as the expression of love and care we have for those around us and our surroundings. Leisurely ‘escape’ is thus remarkably more than about reward and pleasure, in a longer period reflecting the desire for meaningful presence in this world.

Now you may ask, how does this introspection relate to gaming? The presumptions about gaming being a leisurely escape run their course. They say: “there is no meaningful presence in gaming, it is child’s play”, “what good do children get from sitting back on their chairs and pursuing pointless, fantastical, virtual dreams?” It is difficult to argue against when examples like Call of Duty are brought up the only objective being to kill. Some of the young gamers will even yell: “forget what gaming means, let me just enjoy myself!” The argument for gaming seems to swiftly crumble when there is little space to contemplate more deeply what purpose gaming has in leisurely escape.  

Adulthood and the guilty-pleasure of gaming:

The gaming world freakishly reminds the grown-up gamer we are adults choosing to spend our precious time in trivia. While our parents may no longer control what we do, a creeping sense of guilt comes with picking up the controller. I fear my past self, how easy it is to become lost in the virtual world. My mind harkens back to the many hours, days given to such fantasies. It now seems to be cast by sorrow, a corner when we had the fortune of disconnecting from the immediate, physical world that grips me in place. I remember each time I can no longer give myself to gaming like I once did, however much I want. As we choose to game away each minute and hour, our thoughts flashback to the berated reason why gaming is ‘bad’- told us by parents and many adults.

These games are merely a “waste of time”, a fantasy into fakery where all your efforts dissipate into nothing. “Be more serious”, it appeared impossible for them to fathom why we would sacrifice life’s precious hours in these fantasy machines.

The memories of those who held contempt for gaming cruelly remind us at times, there are priorities and gaming are on the lowest of activities. But little could they understand, and truly embrace, these ‘cartoons’ gave us a meaningful escape- stories, people and accomplishments too real for the physical world. Grounding ourselves in the real adult world, gaming is left to be tucked away. It appears easier to flick on the television and feel ‘worthier’ spending of time, keeping a recognisable distance, than seeing the conscious-self lost in the virtual world. When we do games as adults, not only is time-limited but ebbed by this fear of needing to do more.

Video games, gaming and experience

Gaming is the activity that connects our real world to the many buried dreams. The virtual median to exploring humanity’s playful imaginations and compulsions. Here one can finally drop their guard, not rely on psychotic stimuli or lavish spending; the device, console or computer becomes the stage of a new, unfolding story. The games that are played serve the user with a new character, a role beyond the monotony of life and into the realm of new experience. One no longer needs to worry about the many things their body cannot do and tolerate. The fine line between the digital gaming world and physical reality gives the user another realism to test and unleash their wildest decision-making powers. The Being is now bifurcated, grasping with both hands the fantastical yet real cycle of punishment, accomplishment and reward. Traversing through an apocalypse, toppling colossal foes, fending off tremendous hordes of bandits or zombies, preserving every fine resource; these digital ‘activities’ represent our yearning to see and feel more.

With each video game story, life is given to the unknown. Gamers take foot amongst a terrain our wonder could only imagine. Here you live a new life, pursuing previously impossible dreams towards status, fame, honour and riches. At a distance, you get to take on nightmarish battles or responsibilities and receive the privilege of at least envisaging what life may be if you held such a position. You form new relationships, enemy and friendly, and embrace the fact there is far more to life than conflict. The trials and tribulations in the gaming world take us back to acknowledging the limitations to reality- struggle exists everywhere but it is left to us to battle on and savour the world’s time and blessings.

There is no forgetting the gaming world is a stimulus for all senses. Yet it is no ordinary drink or pill but a synaesthetic activity for the brain. While the gamer grasps new controls, refines their knowledge and movement in the game, they bathe into the art-form of game development. For those still dismissing video-game value, a single game frequently takes years to make. Artists for every sense amalgamate and help produce a living, breathing digital new world. This means stretching beyond a written book to an experience to see, feel and listen. The gamer is brought onto a wholesome experience that, unlike any other entertainment form, take the body of a character beyond their own personality, voice, movement, outfit and courage. The game unravels to blend reality with fantasy, making what the gamer wants possible. There is an extraordinary range of artistic brilliance to take in; from crafted sound effects, magical melodies, landscapes unravelling peace, beauty or terror, and animations beyond the reach of mortal beings. Hence, the video-game world serves not just entertainment value but also a leisurely escape to uncover new horizons and take pride in one’s ability to overcome.

A cause for game development:

Gaming being an ultimate escape urges me to remind game developers gaming must not be a chore. There is an unfortunate trend by game studios to cram in as many hours as possible into one game. Recently, it seems a game’s success is now measured by the number of hours it can offer to the user. There are now games proclaiming 70/80+ hours. Although I recognise dutiful craft may have gone into all these hours, most gaming scenarios prove users by then lose enjoyment. The game drags the user’s precious minutes/hours through content devoid of escape and impact. Each prolonged quest appears like a dive deeper into the abyss. By the end, the completed game is drained of its impact on the player. Certain game developers have even stepped into offering freebies and aesthetic touches just as a way to covert gamers into full-time consumers. Subsequently, users see games detracted from identity- an open-world that forces you to point A and B, mundane like the real chores in life.

Producing games is not easy yet fortunately, there remain enough good game developers to keep the leisurely pursuit alive. Looking across my years of gaming, I feel grateful, even privileged to have enjoyed such unique experiences only found in these games. To have taken on extraordinary quests as the Master Chief, Kratos the God of War, Solid Snake, Super Mario, Aloy and many more; these games define a continuing era of gaming which equally present us with fascinating mechanisms to simulate another reality. I can at least say to some degree I know how it feels driving a Pagani or Bugatti in life-like driving games like Forza. The growing technology in every device and software gives way to an ever-growing video game sphere. There is entertainment and there is escape, found altogether in video games as an activity to learn and accomplish.