ROUND one
Do video games blur the line between
reality and fantasy?
Tom
Similar to the logic behind the ‘violent video games inspire physical violence’ argument,
this question also assumes video games normalise behaviours that are illegal or frowned
upon in the real world. In my opinion, it’s the age-old chicken and egg scenario: does
society shape culture or does culture shape society? An example of how the line between
reality and fantasy is blurred by playing video games is how terms like ‘1 v 1 me bro’ and ‘I’ll 360
no scope you’ crept their way (albeit briefly) into the popular vernacular of the late 00s (or maybe
that was just my schoolyard).
Maybe this is more an argument directed at younger gamers, because influence and culture are
so important at an early age while the pre-frontal cortex is growing, and achievements in a cyber
world can mean missing essential developmental milestones in real life.
The line between reality and fantasy is getting smaller every day. Virtual reality games are on the
rise and will become even better in the future, even to the point where the line may become
blurred or disappear completely. Will we reach a Matrix point in life when everything becomes
part of a virtual world? Will we be able to learn by downloading information directly to our brains?
Would that be a good or a bad thing? I believe it’s important to keep a firm grasp on reality, but
video games create a nice, temporary escape on occasion.
The people who grew up playing video games and who have big aspirations for their
futures will be the ones to determine when and how virtual reality becomes more
integrated with the reality we know now. They will be the ones making a reality from
their fantasies.
Nik
WORDS: NIK MROZ & THOMAS SHERSON
IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK
The views put forward in this
alumni submission are those of the
contributors and are not an official
statement of the University of
Southern Queensland.