My Virtual Art Gallery

For this weeks blog, we were assigned to explore three virtual games, artist, or worlds. I have decided that I want to explore three different games, that being; Minecraft, Sims, and Stardew Valley, and explore how each of these games provides the players a sense of vacation from their realities of the world. Considering the pressing times that we are all experiencing with COVID-19 and it being difficult to connect or even go outside, I feel as though people are seeking games like these our more than ever. What amazames me most about these games are that they allow individuals to build “Second Lives”.

What Minecraft, Sims, and Stardew Valley all have in common are that they are virtually reality games in which you can essentially play “house”. All of these games I have played in the past for hours on time. What I and so many others have loved about these games is that you can create a sense of an other life.

These games allow us to create avatars that looks and behave any way we desire. Perhaps the avatar that someone creates looks exactly like themselves in real life. Or perhaps their avatar are completely fantasized versions of themselves. The possiblities with in Sims and Mine craft especially, are endless with both games allowing its plays to make completely unique skins and characters.

Furthermore Minecraft, Sims, and Stardew all allow us to create dream homes and families with far less effort and time. The process of building a “successful” life in these games are incredibly easy compared to the harsh reality of the economic climbing latter. Also, there aren’t any ‘real’ risks. If one decides to spend all their virtual money on clothes and a house on Sims, no one cares. Or maybe you don’t plant enough crops in Stardew or Minecraft and end up suffering from it within the game. The damage is irreverent and easily recoverable from. Everything is instant whether that be rewards or conscienceless.

Lastly all of these games main goals can be subjective ranging from building an empire, to living a humble life, or simply just exploring the games potentials. They all provide momentary relief from the real world by building a whatever one desires with no harsh punishments. Essentially these games contains are the great things about the realities of the real world, with out any of it being actually real.

If all of these games are aimed at resembling real life then why do we build a second world is the real question. The answer is simple. They are fun, and they aren’t real at the end of the day. The possibilities and experiences that one can have are endless and one can live multiple ‘second lives’. So yes while these second lives are aimed to be realistic they are mainly aimed to be fun get away from the real would where things are often really in your control.