Identity Play

I will be without Internet access this weekend, so here’s my post for Saturday, March 8th.

After reading Gee’s chapters about identity play in video games, I’m not sure if I find it completely beneficial or completely harmful. I think there are pros and cons to it, but it is not entirely good or bad. First of all, it was surprising to me to read about how deep into the game some people get. I know people who play a lot of video games and they seem to consume a lot of their time. I never really thought about how into the game they might actually be.

As far as identity play being beneficial, I think it is an interesting creative outlet. Being able to enter a new world while playing a video game, shows that the player is really involved in what they are doing. Personally, I’m not sure I’d be as invested in the character in the game and what was going on. While playing Diner Dash, I don’t feel like I am really Flo. I feel as if I’m playing as her, but not that I myself am the one waiting tables. The games mentioned in Gee’s book seemed like they would allow the player to feel as if they were actually IN the game more than the game I’m playing. If things were more complicated and intense, I guess it is possible I’d feel more of the connection. Another beneficial thing that might come from identity play would be that the player gets to experience things they wouldn’t normally. If they were really into the game, say as a police officer fighting crime and keeping people safe, it would give the person a chance to do something they wouldn’t get to do in real life. It can also be a form of expression or a chance to do something out of the ordinary.

As far as identity play being harmful, I feel this could be the case if the person gets too involved in the game and can’t separate the game from reality. Realizing the game is only a game is very important. If the game causes the player to lose sight of reality, then that is definitely not a good thing. Overall, I do not see identity play as being entirely beneficial or harmful. It definitely has its positives and negatives.

When comparing identity play to taking character perspectives in novels, I feel that the games allow the participant to take a more active part. They really seem to be the character. The player is able to act as the character and be more involved, actually taking on a role and not just connecting with ideas.

I think that about sums it up for now. In my game news, I have finally beat level 5 and boy did it feel good! I was watching my score as it got closer and closer to the 7000 points needed to move on. I was so excited as it saw it go above that! I tried the next level and didn’t get the necessary points, but figured I’d rather end on a happy note for the night. J