Games as Portals to Unconscious Truths and Self-Discovery

The concept of games dates back thousands of years, and the exact origins of the first game are difficult to pinpoint due to the informal and evolutionary nature of early gaming. Games likely emerged as a fundamental aspect of human culture, providing both entertainment and a means of social interaction.

One of the oldest known games is the Royal Game of Ur, a board game that dates back to around 2600 BCE in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). The game was discovered in the Royal Tombs of Ur and consists of a board with two sets of pieces and dice-like implements. The rules of the game have been deciphered from cuneiform inscriptions on a Babylonian tablet, shedding light on how ancient civilizations engaged in recreational activities.

Similarly, ancient Egyptian artefacts depict various board games, including Senet, which dates back to around 3100 BCE. Senet is considered one of the oldest-known board games with a clear set of rules. The game had religious and symbolic significance, often associated with the journey of the soul through the afterlife.

In ancient China, the game of Go (Weiqi or Baduk) has a long history, with evidence suggesting its existence as far back as 2,500 years ago. Go is a strategic board game that continues to be popular today.

These early examples illustrate the ubiquity of games across diverse cultures and civilizations. Games served not only as a form of entertainment but also as a means of socializing, strategizing, and imparting cultural values. While these ancient games differ significantly from the complex digital and interactive games of the modern era, they laid the foundation for the rich and varied history of gaming that has evolved over millennia.

But why were different games so popular over the whole civilizations history and why some still are? To illustrate my insights, I’m willing to tell you a little story of my own. Throughout my life, I played all kinds of games: chess, dice, cards, computer and PS, monopoly and more complex fancy board games. Whenever I play I learn something new, challenge my competitors and myself. I get used to win and lose with a dignity. But once we played one game with my colleagues, I even challenged my own belief system. In a rush of a game I unconsciously started to behave in a way I never allows to myself in a real life or I thought I’ll never do. I tricked my opponent, which, as I thought before the game, was out of my nature. So, this game session set difficult questions about my own belief system and was a tool to dive deeply inside myself and, through this journey, suddenly mirror the real Dmitry.

Games, by their very nature, create a structured environment with defined rules and objectives, prompting participants to engage consciously in strategic thinking and decision-making. However, it is within the fluidity of the gaming experience that the boundaries between consciousness and unconsciousness blur. As players immerse themselves in the challenges presented, their cognitive faculties grapple with immediate choices, while underlying beliefs and instincts rise to the surface.

The outward manifestations of behaviour during game sessions serve as a compelling canvas upon which the nuances of personality are painted. Whether in the cutthroat competition of a video game, the strategic manoeuvring of a board game, or the collaborative dynamics of a role-playing session, players reveal facets of their character that may remain hidden in the mundanity of daily life. The willingness to take risks, the level of competitiveness, and the ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances all offer valuable insights into the conscious and subconscious realms of the player's mind.

In the heat of a game, reactions become unfiltered windows to the soul. Facial expressions, body language, and verbal responses provide unscripted glimpses into the emotional landscape of the player. Joy, frustration, excitement, and disappointment surface with an immediacy that transcends the conscious effort to maintain a composed exterior. These emotional outbursts, often fleeting yet intense, serve as indicators of the deeper currents within the player's psyche.

Emotions, the visceral language of the unconscious, act as a potent truth serum during game sessions. The highs and lows experienced within the microcosm of play lay bare the authentic responses that individuals may otherwise conceal. A sudden burst of laughter may unveil a genuine sense of camaraderie, while a frustrated sigh might expose the vulnerability of one grappling with unexpected challenges. In these moments, the unconscious self momentarily eclipses the conscious facade, offering observers a profound understanding of the emotional undercurrents shaping an individual's worldview.

In the crucible of game sessions, the interplay of behaviour, reactions, and emotions reveals the intricate dance between consciousness and unconsciousness. This dynamic intersection serves as a rich tapestry through which one can capture the true beliefs and character of individuals. Games, in their ability to elicit unguarded responses, act as a mirror reflecting the essence of human nature, making the exploration of this intersection an invaluable journey into the depths of the self. As we engage in the world of games, we unravel not only the complexities of the ludic experience but also the profound truths hidden within the recesses of our own consciousness and unconsciousness.

And in the end: “Play games because it is definitely worth it”.