5 Essential Things Video Games Can Teach Us

1. Numerous Games - Lessons In Philosophy

1682402-inline-bioshock-infinite-4 The best games are the ones with contracting themes that are expressed by characters and settings that set up a dialogue for discussion over the moral choices made during play. Some games have these philosophical ideas expressed covertly, through minimalistic storytelling approaches like Braid, or Journey which manages to convey a story without using conventional means. Portal not only taught players to think using foreign physics mechanics but also demonstrated ideas regarding freedom and individuality. The metaphysical BioShock series originally depicted the actualization of Randian Objectivism, as well as capitalism and explored the nature of the video gaming genre, choices and control. Later installments would analyze American Elitism and the recurring nature of mistakes and the fallibility of humans. Cyberpunk franchise Deus Ex investigated the different angles on transhumanism through characters in direct contact with the willing/unwilling attachment of mechanical accessories. Games have even ventured into the more serious issues of reactions to war and the state of human reality through PTSD fueled Spec Ops: The Line. Have games taught you anything, a lesson or moral that I've neglected in the above list? Leave it in the comments!
 
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British writer, musician and misanthropist.