(ThySistas.com) I admit gaming is absolutely one of my favorite things to do. I love interacting with the gaming community, and on some days, I prefer to game alone as I chill with my thoughts. I know that there are even games that pay real money out there, and I might well give those a try in the future when I’d like a little extra money – it would be great to be able to make money doing something I genuinely enjoy. For now, however, I am perfectly happy with the games I play. Some games really are about muscle memory as there is a decompressing taking place. Then there are times whereby it is the difference between staying grounded and a full blown anxiety attack. However, I love those times whereby I am simply gaming for the love of the adventure. In that space I look forward to going to another place and exploring the adventure. In this sense gaming could be compared to reading certain kinds of books. Those that love fantasy fiction, such as myself, love it because while reading we are mentally transported to another place. We are allowed to become the invisible character no one can see, but we feel so present in the narrative. Sometimes you might align with a particular character so much that you feel like you jumped into the skin of that character, and they now become your complete point of view.
Gaming can be the same, except you are apart of the narrative. In many games you have your own character that you create and mold. You’ll find that as you play you become attached to the character. If you are gaming in a regular party, you become attached to your character and those that you play with for this particular game. This sounds amazing…until it becomes repetitive. Just we are being to see black fantasy fiction that offer us somewhere to go that isn’t repeatedly European based, we need the same in gaming. I’m tired of going to the same Eurocentric place; I need a new adventure.
The games I speak of have their differences of course…but I’m waiting on something without knights, elves, paladins, ogres; you can probably see where I am going with this. Dungeons & Dragons, World of Warcraft, Paladins, Blessed Unleashed, Elder Scrolls, and New World are just a few games whereby they are different but you an find the Eurocentric vein as sure as Middle Earth is a thing. These are all great games and I love playing them. However, I just crave different adventures with a different objective. I’m not even sure what it’s supposed to look like, but exploring other cultures as the basis for a new world would be exciting. I must say that was one of the reasons I’ve played so many of the Assassin’s Creed games. Honestly, they were not fantasy enough for my taste, but they gave me different places to go that don’t feel Middle Earth descended. One can only wonder if there is a stifling in creativity across the arts. Think about it, this idea crossed our minds when we see yet another re-make film.
One can only wonder if we are in a time whereby there is so much fear of getting it wrong that we don’t allow ourselves to get it right. I realize that seeing more diversity in game creation is also how you get a new adventure. Fantasy is no longer alluring when it’s on repeat. I long to for the game that is going to take me to a world that makes me feel as alive as my first encounter with Elder Scrolls, or Wakanda on the big screen. I want the game whose adventure keeps on giving itself over to new ideas, and positions for me to explore. Basically, can I be more than an elf (my usual go to type when creating a character)?
The reference to Middle Earth is made because if you’ve read Lord of the Rings, and or seen the movie you can see it’s influence in video games. I do believe fantasy fiction books can be a great source of gaming creativy, but it’s time to explore different books and themes. There is nothing wrong with the games mentioned…it’s just they are constantly on repeat. You see them in lesser popular games all the time. I’ll continue to await my new adventure…who knows it could be right around the corner.
Staff Writer; Chelle’ St James
May also connect with this sister via Twitter; ChelleStJames.