Gamer Philosophy pt. 2

“I Game, Therefore I Am”

As I’ve lately immersed myself in the world of gamers, playing a few games, and studying the writings of some fellow gamers, I’ve come to the conclusion that it would be important to come up with a definition of what a “gamer” is–or maybe not quite an all-inclusive definition, but certain characteristics that are common to most gamers.

Now some would argue whether this, or anything I talk about, could technically be called a philosophy or not. There is no single accepted definition of philosophy, but “it is generally agreed that philosophy is a method, rather than a set of claims, propositions, or theories.” Now, what this writing is going to be, I don’t know yet, but it very well may not fit the aforementioned definition. Not that it really matters, because who “generally agrees” to this definition is put into question: is it only the so-called “philosophers” that agree to it? Also, to some people, “generally agreed” is not good enough to be considered truth. And there are limits to human reason and logic, as maybe it’s possible for the impossible to exist, and perhaps all logic is circular, yadda yadda yadda. Not that it really matters though: I’ll continue to use the word “philosophy” for a number of reasons, the main being that I like how “gamer-philosopher” sounds.

So I’ve met some gamers over the past I-don’t-know-how-long (haven’t kept track of time though I know it goes by fast) and I’ve come to the conclusion that they are great people. Maybe even superior, intellectually and morally and sense-of-humor-wise. Now that doesn’t make them inherently better than anyone else in an Aryan-ideal sort of way, but I certainly makes me want to hang out with them more often than someone who is not a gamer. Now, not all gamers are like this, but I don’t consider them to be true gamers.

Some play a game because all their friends play or for good business (World of Warcraft, golf, etc.), or to show off their epic mount or tier 6 gear to the rest of the rabble (like the ones who buy uber accounts for 10k US dollars, or use damage meters), or to immerse themselves in a fantasy world (ERPers)–the true gamer transcends all vain ambition and desire. The true gamer seeks something noble and perhaps undefined. The true gamer isn’t seeking “the meaning of life”–the true gamer’s life is meaningful in itself.

True gamers are patient; gamers are kind. Gamers are not rude or self-seeking, or easily angered. Gamers keep no record of wrongs. Gamers don’t delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. I believe it was one of the old Greeks, Socrates or Plato, who talked of an ideal society led by “philosopher-kings.” I believe the modern translation of that would be a society led by “philosopher-gamers.” I’m sure that whoever saves the world from its current mess will be a gamer, because true gamers are just like that–that is the importance of gamers in the modern world.

Many people (age, sex, generation gap) don’t understand gamers, and therefore consider their time spent playing as “wasted,” or better spent doing something “constructive.” Well a gamer-philosopher has to ask them, what do you consider worth doing?

I can spend my whole life pursuing a career, only to have it become obsolete. I can learn ten languages, only to have new technology make my effort wasted. I can seek great wealth, only to die before spending it, and great power, only to be usurped. The true gamer understands this, and therefore rebels against the vain things of this world. This is what makes the gamer great, what makes the gamer transcend the ordinary person.

This is a defense of gaming, and an incomplete one at that. And perhaps I am wrong and I am wasting my life every minute I spend in play or online. But tell me then, what should I be doing? How can I “better myself”? At least I can say I’ve considered what’s “worth doing,” which is more than the average non-gamer can say. And it’s only a testament that my eyes are open, and my will is free, to game, or not to game, to be or not to be, that is the question.

I choose to be.