Character Building
You’ve probably heard the term RPG, which stands for a role-playing game. In a video game, this usually entails having a character that starts off with a basic set of skills, and as you progress, you gain experience points (XP) that you can use to level up your character. And over time, each decision, action, and interaction adds to your XP. There are rules and instructions that govern the game, and you’re given a set of objectives, participate in challenges, and make choices that lead you down different paths along your adventure.
Now depending on the game, you may have the opportunity to choose from a set of characters who possess different character stats. These attributes tell you about the strengths and weaknesses of each character, like vitality (health), gold (resources), and superpowers (skills & abilities) that act as an instruction manual to help you decide on the character you want to be, and the journey you want to embark on. To me, this sounds an awful lot like real life.
Motivation for Gameplay
But if video games are comparable to reality, why are they so addictive? Well to put it simply, video games offer instant gratification and give you that sweet (sweet) dopamine hit, where your brain releases dopamine — that “feel-good” neurotransmitter that makes you want to keep playing. On top of this, you also experience:
- Community and Social Interaction: Many games offer multiplayer modes or online communities and provide a sense of belonging.
- Community and Social Interaction: Many games offer multiplayer modes or online communities and provide a sense of belonging.
- Achievement and Mastery: As you play, you develop skills and overcome difficult obstacles that give you a sense of achievement.
- Escape and Stress Relief: By stepping out of everyday life, it can be a way to recharge and shift your mindset into a different state.
- Flow State and Cognitive Benefits: Gameplay can increase your brain’s neuroplasticity and gray matter, which enables different parts of your brain to communicate more effectively.
- Narrative and Emotional Engagement: With a compelling story, good games can be emotionally engaging, making you feel more invested in its process and outcome.
Video Games vs Reality
Video games are obviously a compelling proposition for many, evidenced by its multi-billion dollar industry. But it’s worth noting some key similarities and differences between video games and real life.
Similarities
- Challenges and Obstacles: In the same way you have challenges in a video game, in real life you must navigate and overcome difficulties and setbacks.
- Competition and Cooperation: Both involve elements of competition and cooperation, which teach us valuable lessons about resilience and teamwork.
- Leveling Up: In games, you level up your character, while in life, it’s the same thing. You can upgrade your skills, knowledge, and personal attributes to become a better version.
- Resource Constraints: Just like in games, real life resources such as time, money, and energy are limited, so managing them wisely is crucial.
Differences
- No Respawns or Do-Overs: Unlike games, real life doesn’t offer do-overs. Mistakes (big or small) have real consequences, making every decision more impactful.
- No “Save State”: You can pause a game (save state), but in real life, even when you hit pause, time just keeps moving because time waits for no one.
- Defined Goals and Multi-Variance: Games have clear objectives and quests. Real life is more complex, with multi-faceted goals that evolve over time.
- Tangible Reality: Video games, as immersive as they can be, are still distinguishable from reality (for now). Real life is more tangible, complex, and actions can have a ripple effect to the physical world.
In a nutshell, video games offer an immersive experience that is condensed into a shorter time frame. With lower stakes and more predictable outcomes, it gives you a sense of control and safety. And the more you play, the more invested you can become.
Choosing Your Own Adventure
Real life may not be nearly as animated and comfortable as a video game, but the reality is, it’s still your reality — and you have way more control over how you shape it. Like a video game manual, having greater self-awareness can serve as a guide for helping you to understand and maximize your character’s full potential. By reframing and training your mindset, you have the ability to gamify your life and give it the same level of focus and enthusiasm.
And as the main character of your own game, how will you choose to play it? Wherever you are along your personal development, you still have the opportunity to level up and choose your own adventure. There’s nothing like the real thing :)
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it with someone else you think could benefit from it. Letter for Better was created to help you become more self-aware and and unlock your untapped potential. Through mindset training, I hope you can transform your life for the better!
Sincerely,
And as the main character of your own game, how will you choose to play it? Wherever you are along your personal development, you still have the opportunity to level up and choose your own adventure. There’s nothing like the real thing :)
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it with someone else you think could benefit from it. Letter for Better was created to help you become more self-aware and and unlock your untapped potential. Through mindset training, I hope you can transform your life for the better!
Sincerely,
Dexter Lam
Do you want to level up and change your life Trajectory?
We're launching our course on Self-Awareness
Thank you!
TLDR
More from our blog
Enjoying the read?
Get updated when we release new articles!
Created with
