In American Studies, the project so far has been to research as much as we can about Mr. Bolos. We were prepared for a different lifestyle than ours, especially after seeing the rubber mouth, but I would never have guessed that people could have a lifestyle like this! I read an article in the Wall Street Journal today about how young men play a virtual romance video game for companionship from their Nintendo DS gaming device. It can be found here.
I will summarize a few key points. A whole town has been inundated with young men who play a specific virtual relationship video game. A vacation to an in-game town is granted if the men complete certain in-game activities to make themselves more attractive to the virtual girl. The in-game town is a real town that can be traveled to in real life, and was once a romantic hot-spot. It has since fallen into dis-repair and doesn't attract the same tourist traffic it once did. It is now flourishing more under the tourist traffic it gets by playing along with the fantasy world of the gamers and continuing the illusion.
I found it hard to believe that a large group of males would rely on a video game for a friend, and talk to it, monitor it, and care if the game said that it was sad. When I read that a town was being subsisted by the gamers however, I found my opinions conflicting. On one hand, it is very quick thinking and business savvy for the town to accomodate the new arrivals to the town, with special foods based on in-game characters, and hotels that help facilitate the illusion that the young man is on a real vacation with a real girl. However, I find it sad that the men are so obsessed with the game, and I wonder if it would be better if the town help snap the unfortunate men out of their reverie and away from their digital girlfriend. Which do you think is more important? The person's life or the town? Should anyone worry about the people? It is their choice, right?
First of all, not to start on a feminism rant, but this game sounds very misogynistic. I don't support the idea of this game promoting the idea that women are a prize to be won, or that a man just has to complete certain challenges to get a woman to take interest in him. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned, but this game also seems to go against the concept of love and communication in a relationship, in favor of pure (virtual) physical attraction. I've never played this game myself, but I'm guessing the players (double entendre intended) and their digital dames don't sit down for a chat about their favorite books, their values, or their goals in life. Winning games and completing levels shape an unrealistic and unhealthy view of courtship. I don't think the real-life town should support such misogyny as that which exists in the game. I think it can be harmful and disorienting to the men for the town to make it difficult to differentiate between from the virtual world and the real world. I think these men are already doing damage to themselves by playing the game, and dragging this strange world out of the computer monitor can only do more.
ReplyDeleteI myself am worried more about the game's ability to drag its players away from their reality and into its virtual world. I would guess those who turn to it are in places of emotional need, and should focus on improving their own lives, not a fantasy.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that this age group of men would be so engaged in a game that outwardly seems to be more of an innocent teen dating thing than an adult interest. I wonder if it's a small backlash to society that has pushed relationships too far too fast. Too bad they're not improving their people skills and talking to a real girl!
ReplyDeleteAs far as the town's growth - that's capitalism for you! They saw a market and filled the need. Who knows... maybe it will be the next Disneyland with stores making over their exterior and girls walking the streets dressed like the characters in the game, signing autograph books, and posing for photos. I wouldn't be surprised!