This week's topic was empathy games, a topic that I find very interesting. Games are commonplace nowadays, but they aren't usually relatable and many don't have a plot line that makes you think. Empathy games put the player in the creator's shoes. They give insight into issues that affect many people, but may not affect the player. For example, That Dragon, Cancer is a game created by the parents of a young boy named Joel Green who suffered from cancer. This game shows what it's like to lose a child to cancer, something most people are lucky enough not to experience. Empathy is a difficult thing for many people, but video games allow a new avenue for feeling empathy.
Media can certainly make us feel empathy, for example I'm sure most people cried when they watched Bridge to Terebithia. But these games allow the user to truly be immersed and feel what the main characters are feeling.
One thing this week I found interesting was in the article linked below.
In this article the author, Gonzola Frascas makes the point that video games offer choice and a non-linear narrative. Frascas says this might not always be good if you want to instil morals as there is usually a good or bad choice in narratives. However, I believe video games can instil morals - a bad choice can lead to bad consequences. Games are a way for children to learn that their actions have consequences and to choose the course of action that deals the least harm.
The final point I want to talk about is how I share my experiences through media. I love writing and drawing. Writing is especially important to me as a way to share my experiences indirectly. While my storylines and characters are not real, the ideas behind them still come from within and are based on my life experiences.
For a final question I want to ask how you share your stories. Through media like writing or art? Or somehow else?
Bye everyone, see you next week!
Works cited:
Frascas, Gonzola. "Videogames Of The Oppressed | Electronic Book Review". Electronicbookreview.Com, 2004, https://electronicbookreview.com/essay/videogames-of-the-oppressed/.
Oh why would you mention bridge to terabithia at a time like this.... i haven't watched it in so long because of the heartache it caused me! I like how you reflected on how writing stories yourself brings out a sort of empathy. i definitely use art as a way of expressing feelings and therefore empathy. stories come in all shapes and sizes so i think it was a good choice to reflect on that!
ReplyDeleteHaha sorry! I don't usually cry from movies but that movie made me cry! Art and stories are a great way to express your feelings. I love stories that are super emotional.
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