Chapter 1: The Illusion of Progress

I experienced a surprising revelation while playing The Sims 4, which gave me a fresh perspective on video gaming.

In any of the Sims titles, players can enhance their characters in various aspects. Since the game simulates life, this development reflects real-life skills, ambitions, and accomplishments, which include:

• Skills
• Careers
• Relationships
• Aspirations
• Finances

While I guided my sim to write a book for royalties, enhancing his writing skill and financial prospects, I realized something peculiar. I enjoy writing and aspire to earn money from it, yet I found myself investing time in my sim's progress rather than my own. It struck me—why was I prioritizing my sim's achievements over my own?

This prompted me to question my motivations. Initially, I thought playing The Sims 4 was simply more enjoyable. However, waiting for my sim to complete his book wasn’t particularly engaging. No one relishes the act of waiting; it's a common habit to reach for our phones during moments of inactivity.

Ironically, the very act of waiting led me to focus on my sim’s writing instead of my own. In real life, the journey towards improvement often feels lengthy and ungratifying, especially in an era where instant gratification is at our fingertips. Need information? Just Google it. Bored in line? Check social media. Want to communicate? Send a text. We despise waiting, and articles on platforms like Medium often emphasize quick financial gains and follower growth. When faced with the prospect of waiting months to build an audience, the allure of rapidly completing tasks in The Sims becomes appealing.

The game allows for significant progress in a brief timeframe; it's not just writing. You can fall in love and marry after one conversation, or get promoted every few in-game days. The Sims provides a sense of advancement that contrasts sharply with the slower pace of real life.

But it’s all an illusion! It’s not genuine; it’s merely a fabrication.

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

Regardless of how long you play or what you achieve in the game, your real-life aspirations remain unchanged. As you immerse yourself in gameplay, you aren’t moving closer to your personal goals. This phenomenon isn't unique to The Sims; it likely applies to all games.

In any game, characters engage in activities such as:

• Leveling up
• Acquiring skills
• Unlocking abilities
• Gathering resources
• Exploring new environments
• Collecting items
• Crafting equipment
• Building relationships
• Advancing through narratives

These elements create a sense of accomplishment, but it’s crucial to recognize that while your character may be progressing, you are not.

More fantastical games present an additional challenge. Earlier, I pondered why I opted to enhance my sim instead of myself. I realized that the connection between my sim's writing and my own writing was too direct to dismiss. It wasn't just about fun; real-life writing is enjoyable.

However, in a game like Horizon, I can battle giant robot dinosaurs—an experience far more thrilling than writing. This can lead to the illusion that gaming is inherently more enjoyable. The thrill comes from conquering challenges that seem impossible in reality, which creates a sense of progress.

Yet, in the realm of video games, this progress is merely an illusion. The captivating narratives and characters mask the fact that the skills being developed are often unrealistic or unattainable in real life, making it harder to distinguish between real and fabricated advancement.

Final Reflections

While I'm an avid gamer and have enjoyed video games since childhood, my intention isn’t to discourage you from playing. We all crave entertainment, and video games can fulfill that need. However, it's essential not to let gaming hinder your real-life growth.

My aim in sharing this perspective is to remind you of the more significant aspects of life that require your focus. Engaging in video games passively might lead to neglecting what truly matters, such as:

• Family
• Career
• Friendships
• Financial stability
• Lifestyle choices
• Health
• Skills
• Hobbies

These elements are far more vital than the virtual world. Video games can be enjoyable, but the tangible aspects of life contribute to genuine happiness.

Moreover, please don’t be that person who prioritizes video games over their partner…

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash