Are videogames more than just escapism?

[MegaHiro91]

Personally I never liked the term. And while I'm aware that any form of entertainment that temporarily "takes you out of the real world" can be classified as "escapism", the word, to me, implies an active desire to get away from something i.e the "stress" and turmoil of everyday life.

If you ask me however, I don't play videogames to "escape" from anything. I play them to hear a good story full of morals and life lessons that I can take WITH me out into the real world after the credits roll. Something that develops me as a person and enriches my perception of the real world. Not to mention all the benefits we have already discussed in another thread that gaming does to you; language learning, hand to eye coordination, strategizing, time management, problem solving etc.

So what are your takes? Is it purely escapism? Do YOU "just" play videogames to "take a break from reality"? Or is there something more to it?

 

[Yousef]

Of course

 

[RunicOrangejuice]

The best ones are a catharsis.

 

[OmegaPunch's icon OmegaPunch OmegaPunch]

Videogames are art.

 

[fake-kun]

Video games can be whatever you want them to be. If you want them to be a pure escapism, they will be that. If you want them to be something more, they will be that.

 

[MegaHiro91]

Video games can be whatever you want them to be. If you want them to be a pure escapism, they will be that. If you want them to be something more, they will be that.

That's the long and short of it I guess. I shouldn't be bothered with others' takes on the matter, but it always annoys me when fellow gamers - when they defend their hobby - boil it all down to mere escapism. I'm like, dude, do you really not have any more respect for your hobby than to degrade it like that?

 

[DunkeyKong]

It depends honestly, some people enjoy it for that or this yadda yadda. What matters is that we had a lot of fun playing them!

 

[RunicOrangejuice]

That's the long and short of it I guess. I shouldn't be bothered with others' takes on the matter, but it always annoys me when fellow gamers - when they defend their hobby - boil it all down to mere escapism. I'm like, dude, do you really not have any more respect for your hobby than to degrade it like that?

I've encountered static about it more often from non-gamers, usually older folks who didn't grow up with them.

 

[Deleted member 884]

They can be a hobby, a way to avoid reality, to relax after a day work. Or maybe a way to spend free time if you don't know what else to do.

 

[J.F.C]

 

[Num]

escapism as a whole shouldnt have that negative connotation to begin with. the idea that "escaping" is purely just running away is one of the most limiting ways to look at it people dont just escape from things they escape towards things. historians explorers and scientists for example so many of them had to physically leave their homes to understand more than what was right in front of them. if theyd just stayed put thinking escaping is bad theyd have never figured out that the world is bigger than their own backyard. people act like its just a distraction but its literally the same process of discovery even dreams are a form of escapism and half the stuff humanity has invented probably started in someones head as they were "escaping" reality for a bit. i think if anything the opposite of escapism is more detrimental to society we're already seeing the effects with youtubes prominence for example but when theres more of an emphasis on looking at our own reflections it just feels like we will trip on something in the way which could really be a fatal accident

 

[Prism_Red]

As a self proclaimed hedonist, video games are fun and I live to have fun, don't matter what people call it, even if one day for some reason somebody would die if I play games, I would still play it.

 

[Pandaprewmaster325]

Gaming runs in my blood , been gaming since age of 4 , games accompanied me throughout all of my life or most of it if you want to count age 1-3

Sometimes they caused trouble sometimes they helped in solving it , I tried to distance myself from my inner gamer it didn't work its not who im as self improvement gurus blamed video games for that and that well how wrong they were....

Sit down and spend sometime alone with the world of the game no interruptions nothing to bother me just me and the game I guess after a long day of socialising and doing all sorts of activities those 2-3 hours I spend on games are deserved it feels rewarding when you are both a winner in real life and in games it gives me unwavering confidence and commitment that if I can overcome a difficulty in a virtual world im sure more than capable of overcoming tests and difficulties in real life if you figure how to solve puzzles in horror games then you can put that same effort in solving math problems and when I looked at it that way math became actually enjoyable.

For me games are more than escapism well in my opinion trying to escape means your real life is miserable and you aren't satisfied with it you try to drown these sorrows and sadness with games and anime and what not but at the end of the day you still feel dissatisfied with your life people still see you as a loser and you cling on your virtual status of the hero I ask if you can be the hero of your virtual world why not be the hero in your real life? Adopt the mindset and move on.

 

[ZeromusVX4]

Honestly, i've never thought of games a form to escape reality, even if my life kinda sucks, i just play them to have fun mostly

 

[majestix1988]

In my teen years mostly I played jrpgs just for traveling due it's hard to do travel being a teen due money problem due to that some of music of towns or cities still remember in my head mostly reason just to escape from school study problems

Some just to have fun or doing something new

 

[Nidoking's iconNidoking]

Honestly, i've never thought of games a form to escape reality, even if my life kinda sucks, i just play them to have fun mostly

Pretty much this. I've never used video games to 'escape' or 'suck myself in'... they're just for a fun time, or to pass time even. Even when I'm really immersed in a game, I've never thought of it like this.

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

They can be more than escapism. They can teach us about life. Or entertain us. Humans desire to be engaged, whether it is through stories or pretty moving pictures. Everyone needs a hobby. Some collect art, some watch movies, some play sports for fun. Calling it an "escape" is fine, but it is reductive. We need distractions and hobbies every once in a while to decompress.

 

[RunicOrangejuice]

They can be more than escapism. They can teach us about life. Or entertain us. Humans desire to be engaged, whether it is through stories or pretty moving pictures. Everyone needs a hobby. Some collect art, some watch movies, some play sports for fun. Calling it an "escape" is fine, but it is reductive. We need distractions and hobbies every once in a while to decompress.

We desire the "Hero's Journey", to walk in the footsteps of past travelers. So that we may understand our own life and achieve release.
-Paraphrase of Joseph Campbell

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Honestly if a video game isn't entertaining but a ted talk of a dev implying that we are bad people for not following their direction then I'd take that as arrogance.

Even the best books written teach us a lesson without being condescending nor accusative.

 

[MajesticSiN]

Of course, video games are art.

 

[Tengu Plant]

That's the long and short of it I guess. I shouldn't be bothered with others' takes on the matter, but it always annoys me when fellow gamers - when they defend their hobby - boil it all down to mere escapism. I'm like, dude, do you really not have any more respect for your hobby than to degrade it like that?

I've encountered static about it more often from non-gamers, usually older folks who didn't grow up with them.

You guys are on the right path here I think. This is basically a slur and it comes from either old people or young people who live under the "boomer gaze". And I mean boomer in the proper sense here. Video games didn't exist in 1968 so they're evil. "Your high school English teacher would have given you a disapproving look if you spoke highly of a game. Don't you feel embarrassed?" Even a lot of gamers still think in these terms and try to defend the medium under this framework.
In reality though, "escapism" can apply to basically anything, especially any artistic medium with a fictional narrative.
As for me, I haven't regretted playing a good game in the same way that I haven't regretted watching a good movie.

 

[ciro64]

Lately I've been using games as a means to keep my mind stimulated with something when I don't feel like doing anything else. As long as I don't overdo it, they do make my day more interesting and less stale. Same for any other activity.

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

Not to say that video games are essential to survival, but there are benefits to engaging with video games that exercise the problem solving "muscle" of the brain. Older adults who engage in games (whether video games, chess, sudoku or crossworld puzzles) are less susceptible to the effects of aging on the brain.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

If you ask me however, I don't play videogames to "escape" from anything. I play them to hear a good story full of morals and life lessons that I can take WITH me out into the real world after the credits roll.

I'll also add that it depends the way it's done at the end of the day.

A video game can be like a good book, giving us a world that isn't ours while still having a meaningful message for ours (like how sci-fi could be a critique on society and a message about our fears that are relevant even today).

Moral and life lessons can be good but I also like leaving the people the choice to make their own idea on something instead of saying "it meant that, period."

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

I'll also add that it depends the way it's done at the end of the day.

A video game can be like a good book, giving us a world that isn't ours while still having a meaningful message for ours (like how sci-fi could be a critique on society and a message about our fears that are relevant even today).

Moral and life lessons can be good but I also like leaving the people the choice to make their own idea on something instead of saying "it meant that, period."

Yeah, the best "moral lesson" games are thought provoking and open ended. The worst ones are dictatorial and forceful, lacking nuance and subtlety. Something modern games seem to do more and more. Provoking thought and reflection is the best way to open a closed mind, not by forcing your world view upon them.