Posted by We’re back with our “thinking about thinking” series! If you’re interested in our previous deep thoughts, check out the Metacognition series. Join us for some deep thoughts (and maybe the occasional not-so-deep thought) about gaming. If you find one you’d like to answer, you can either comment below or write a post and share the link so we can all read your fantastic thoughts!
What is one video game task you are thankful you don’t have to do?
I’m so glad you asked!
The first task that comes to mind are sidequests. I mean, I can’t stand when you’re going along, minding your own business and heading toward your goals, and BAM suddenly you’re interrupted. Someone asks you to help them. Or you find out that the path to your goal isn’t as straightforward and simple as you originally thought, and… oh, I guess sidequests happen in real life, too.
Well, then I’m really glad that grinding isn’t a thing that happens IRL. Can you imagine having to repeat the same task over and over again in order to gain experience in order to progress toward your goal? …wait… okay this is a bad example, too.
Okay. Don’t worry, I’ve got this. Having an annoying helper on your journey, or dealing with needy NPCs, are things that only game characters have to deal with. What? You say group projects and annoying coworkers and acquaintances exist? Hm.
Escort missions! After all, suddenly being responsible for caring for another person and keeping them safe even if it makes your life a little more complicated rarely…
Oh for the love of the Maker.
I know! Glitches don’t exist in real life. It’s only ever been in a game that something can disappear without warning and the save data becomes inaccessible forever.
<facepalm>
That took a turn, didn’t it?
But I think I’ve finally figured out one task I am glad I don’t have to complete in real life. I’d hate to have to fight a dragon.
I’d hate to be going through my life and then all of a sudden have this huge, seemingly-insurmountable problem ahead of me, one perhaps that I didn’t know was coming. Even one I did know was coming would be terrifying, no?
Oh. Wait.
Darn it.
I leave you with a quote from G.K. Chesterton:
Fairy tales do not tell children that dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.
What do you think? Is there a sidequest you are glad you don’t have to face, or are all sidequests comparable to real life events? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you soon!
~Athena
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I would relish the opportunity to fight a dragon. It’s a tangible problem (OMG A BIG DRAGON) that there is a clear way to deal with (KILL IT) that has obvious success criteria (IT IS DEAD YAY) and possible rewards (BEHOLD THE GRATITUDE OF THE KINGDOM) that will have direct benefits (NOW I CAN AFFORD THAT SHINY SWORD).
Certainly beats intangible problems (I AM SAD) with no clear means of dealing with (I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO) or obvious success cri– you get the idea. Sometimes I wish life were a bit more like Persona; if we could directly face our Shadows, I can’t help but think it’d be a lot easier to deal with certain aspects of our existence. Or perhaps it would just create more problems than it’s worth.
That got a bit maudlin, didn’t it? Still, it’s a reason I like games; in games, I can resolve conflicts and problems, while in reality, it’s rarely as simple as checking things off a list until someone gives you 500 gold.
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You make a good point that sometimes having a big tangible problem is a lot easier to tackle than any-sized nebulously-defined problem. That’s the great thing about games, though, isn’t it? Like you alluded to, they’re designed to give our brains exactly what they want, even when it comes to conflict, problem-solving, and rewards.
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This post proves it! Reality is game and the universe is a heartless game developer. I also need to find a way to get that lottery winner DLC as soon as I can… 🤔 And the dark humour is strong with this one! I love dark humour and now I’m going to give you a hug for no reason *bear hug*
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Yep. Good luck with that DLC! haha
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