WHAT VIDEO-GAMES TAUGHT ME AND COULD TEACH YOU!

INTRODUCTION

You certainly heard the sentences "Video games are violent", "it's a waste of time", "it's only for kids/adolescents", "it's only for geeks", "it makes you stupid" or any other comment based on pure speculation and no facts.

Countless scientific studies have shown that video games are beneficial for the brain and enhance "soft skills". Of course, like other hobbies, it's never good in excess, such as overdoing sports and eating or scrolling for eternity on your Social Media...

In this article, I'll demonstrate with my five Favorite Games what I learned from playing them and what you could also gain from them. So, let's dig in!

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA OCARINA OF TIME: ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF NATURE, MUSIC, AND FRIENDSHIP

I couldn't start this article by not mentioning the Masterpiece that is "Ocarina of Time" (in short). Despite its nowadays "outdated" graphics, the game still lives on with its iconic music, story, and open world (one of the first).

I will always remember this Christmas of 1998 when we (my brother and I) received the N64 and Ocarina of Time. I was 9 at the time, and being an introvert, it was almost a magical gift as it allowed me to explore a ferric sometimes scary world that is full of mystery and adventures! As well as loading me with joy, it's also helped develop my exploration sense, to not be afraid of the unknown, understand different cultures, friendships, lifestyles, and a love for music, as one of the key elements of the game is to play the ocarina!

Despite its first childish appearance, Ocarina of Time has a deep layer of maturity, sadness, and melancholy. Especially, when you shift from a child to an adult perspective, everything turns upside down, the one you knew perished, and the evil grows stronger. It helped me to navigate through a wide range of emotions from love and sadness to fear, but by overcoming adversities come prizes and success!

DEUS EX: DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING, MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICES!

To this day, Deus Ex is one of the most mature games I played. From its narrative perspective to the choices you have to make, the game will always question which path you want to take. Do you want to believe the system you are living and working for, or do you want to go deeper in search of answers but risk everything?

These questions helped me step back from certain sources of information and verify the contents, then decide if I want to believe it or not. Most of the time, doing your own research helps you understand things better.

Also, the game's approach to transhumanism, technology, and the evolution of society is serious yet dark. How far can we go and should we lose our humanity in the process?! Playing as a cyborg human who almost ends up like a semi-god, gave me a sensation of power but also made me realize what a human is and could evolve to.

XCOM: LIFE IS MADE OF DECISIONS, SOME HARDER THAN OTHERS...

The XCOM series is well-known for its RNG (sometimes totally unfair), difficulty, and unforgiveness when playing Ironman (auto-save). As you embody a commander of the last stand of humanity against Alien forces, you are confronted with terrible choices. Sometimes you just have to choose one of the worse situations and face the consequences.

These taken decisions and processes of thinking helped me to accept my mistakes, think thoughtfully of a problem, and pick out the best outcome of a problem.

Also, the game makes you think of what you are willing to sacrifice for the sake of humanity. Would you let this country perish so that others can live? Are you ready to face these consequences? These questions are a great reminder that some people are in a worse situation than you. Moreover, sometimes you have to think rationally rather than being the hero of everyone.

BINDING OF ISAAC: WHAT IS FAITH? WHAT IS EVIL & GOD?

To my knowledge, The binding of Isaac is one of the rare games to tackle the question of faith and Christianity. Despite its gruesome and grotesque appearance the game questions what people are ready to do for their faith. Based on the "genesis 22 ERV, Abraham, kill your son", here a mother after hearing voices that she translated into a god, wanted to kill her son, Isaac, as he is impure and evil. The son hid in a chest and then the adventure begins as you go deeper and deeper into chaos and oblivion.

You can only sympathize with this poor soul who is not only tormented by his mother but also at school and have only his tears to defend himself.

This tragic story makes me think of my belief and what I judge as good and bad, what I feel is unacceptable and unjust. This makes me realize that extremism is never the answer, even if you think you are right, you have to put things in perspective.

ELDEN RING: CHOOSE YOUR OWN BATTLES

Elden Ring is my latest lifelong lesson on video games and adventure. From Software did tremendous work and teach everyone how an open world should be! As usual, the story is told by the environment, the encounter you made, and the object you collect, but this time, the freedom of roaming and customization of gameplay are just on point. You never felt trapped or stuck as there are so many lands, dungeons, and areas to explore, so you can always get stronger and come back again to the spot you found difficult.

They listened to their community on the frustration that their previous titles caused. As a game creator and "hardcore" gamer, I always seek challenges and Elden Ring was a perfect mixture of Difficulty and Discovery.

This game taught me that some situations are better avoided, and if you are willing to fight, be prepared and know your opponent's weakness and strength, be courageous, and pick your battle!

IN CONCLUSION

Yes, video games can be a great source of education, as it always confronts you with various situation, how to solve them, and made you think from different perspectives. Games create emotions and share them with you directly, as you are the main protagonist of the story!

For me, it helped me tremendously to become the person I am today and the person I will be in the following years. I also join various communities, education, and work, where I could share and exchange my passion around this incredible media.

So, for the most skeptical of you: why not give it a try and tell me what you think?

For the other: what is your favorite Game Experience and what has it taught you?

Thanks for reading!

William Gauthier