Are gamers cultural dupes? I think not.

I am the first to admit that my experience with video games is well… non existent. However, last semester I encountered a very interesting and passionate debate between a lecturer and a student on the topic of video games.

The lecturer started off the class by summarising the thoughts of Steven Poole, author of Trigger Happy. Poole’s argument for video games was broken down into three main points. The first of these points was that video gaming is both creative and interactive. The second point was that video gaming has moved from a geeky activity to one that is totally acceptable. The final point was that video games are actually rooted in a long history of imaginary architecture, resulting in the creation of aesthetic wonder.

As I was listening to the lecturer rattle off Steven Poole’s main points I found myself agreeing, thinking ‘yes, video games are very creative and I do know of many people who engage in them’. However, my thoughts were quickly interrupted by my lecturer’s enthusiastic rebuttal to Poole’s pro video gaming points. My lecturer went on to declare that gamers are cultural dupes, who think they are being creative and interactive, but are really just accepting the preferred reading of a video game. This statement really threw me, I started to wonder ‘are video gamers actually engaging in creativity, or are they just choosing one of many pre selected options created by gaming developers?’

Little did my lecturer know, there was an avid gamer in the class whose frustration could no longer be contained. The student raised his hand and unleashed an example of gamer inventiveness that not even the lecturer was prepared for. The student referred to an example whereby gamers had spent three weeks playing Foldit, and together had managed to create an enzyme that could be used to help battle HIV/AIDS. The lecturer was dumbfounded and the class was amazed. Kindly, the student provided us with the link to the article so we could see for ourselves. The article link is http://hypervocal.com/news/2011/ftw-literally-gamers-help-scientists-with-potential-cure-for-hivaids/

That night I read the article and other articles that told the same story. I always thought that video games were just for fun, the perfect time waster. However, after reading this student’s article my appreciation for video games and gamers grew dramatically. A group of gamers on Foldit with little or no biochemistry experience were able to solve HIV enzyme mysteries, which scientists, engineers, and technology had been unable to solve. It is evident that videogames have the potential to provide gamers with a platform that will allow them to collaborate with other like minded people, and generate synergy so powerful that no problem is too big or small to solve collectively.

Overall, my thoughts on video games were tried and tested over the course of the two lectures (as were my lecturers, I am sure). However, because of such debate I was able to form some personal thoughts on video games. I believe that video games can be both passive and active, depending on who is playing the game, how they are playing the game and what they hoping to achieve from the game. For example, does the gamer want to relax and procrastinate or engage in a challenge? Ultimately, the choice is there’s. I realise that my understanding of video games is still very limited; however, I am hoping this paper will provide me with even more insight, because at the end of the day knowledge/experience is power.

Amanda Pearce