The artifact that I am researching for my research project is a specific type of video game that has one of the most substantial influences on society, this being what is called an RPG (role-playing game). As this Humanities Core course comes to an end, I have realized that much of what we studied poses questions pertaining to the definition of humanity. This definition of course varies from person to person, but more popular ideologies explaining the complexity of humanity involve questions revolving around sexism, racism, art, literature, and the context of people as regards to what influenced their growth and mentalities. The imaginary, virtual worlds of RPG’s not only incorporate these ideologies into their gameplay, but they also create worlds where these humanistic topics are nonexistent.
Role-playing games are exactly what they are named to be- the player enters a vast, imaginary world as the customizable fantasy character of their dreams, and the goals of these games are solely up to the player. And so, what is it about RPG’s that draws players to escape reality in the first place? Why are millions of people all over the world taking interest in these artificially created digital worlds? I suspect that because the world today is full of harsh realities, these players are often pushed to question the meanings of life, humanity, and art/literature as an expressive form of release and reflection for these complexities. RPG’s are created by this same expressive art and literature, yet they perhaps take it a step further by not only telling a story, but allowing a player to make their own. One single person cannot stop a war, end sexism, racism, or discrimination- however in an RPG, none of this has to exist. Or rather, the player is able to control whether these aspects exist or not.
And so, what does this growing interest in RPG’s mean? Perhaps RPG’s are the next step in nurturing a real-life world similar to that of its own- when more and more people can experience their ideal world, it makes it more of a reason to try and make that a reality.
Empire and Its Ruins 