Creating Avatars in the Gaming World: A Reflection

March 2024

Mental Health

"The pursuit of perfection is a paradoxical rule that distorts its own essence when initially established. "

 

The rise of gaming addiction in recent years has captured widespread attention as the gaming industry experiences enormous growth. In particular, massively multiplayer online roleplaying games (MMORPGs) have become extremely popular across various genres, offering players an expansive and limitless fantasy world to explore. 

Within this virtual realm, millions of individuals have their personalized avatars to express themselves via virtual characters that allow them to go beyond physical and societal constraints. These avatars, serving as digital representations, empower gamers to fashion personas with diverse physical and personality traits, providing an escape from the limitations of reality. In the gaming universe, one can alter gender, hairstyle, height, and more, without fear of judgment. 

Unlike the real world, where changing inherent characteristics is a challenging effort, avatars offer a perception of perfection free from vulnerabilities or inadequacies. 

Ben X, a Belgian-Dutch film directed by Nic Balthazar in 2007, demonstrates how avatars can be a significant way of coping with our struggles in our day-to-day lives. The main character of the film is a teenage boy named Ben with autism spectrum disorder, specifically Asperger’s syndrome.

Ben is being bullied severely at school and escapes into the online fantasy realm known as ArchLord. By transforming into an impressive hero within the game, Ben finds solace and strength. 

In an early scene, Ben proudly announces his achievement of a certain level in ArchLord, symbolizing the recognition and acceptance of his dignity and power by millions of online gamers. Playing alongside a princess in the game, he becomes her ‘hero.’ 

Reflecting on the disparity between the gaming and real worlds, Ben remarks, “In games, you become who or what you want to be. Whereas in real life, you can be only one person and you must teach him everything, even how to laugh in a way that people like.”. 

Due to his unique biological and psychological makeup, Ben’s difficulties forming social bonds are sensitively depicted in the film. Faced with feelings of weakness and incompetence, Ben creates a virtual self, a hero, offering him momentary relief and a sanctuary from his challenges.

However, the problem of coping with our problems in real life with a virtual weapon is that the problems do not really disappear. They stay with us like the monster under the bed that we dare not look at. 

Real problems necessitate genuine changes in our thinking, behavior, and emotions. To initiate these changes, we must confront the relationships that are difficult for us, the situations that make us feel the way we do, the emotions we avoid, and the reactions we manifest in situations that challenge us. 

Uncovering the answers to these inquiries often exposes our vulnerabilities, and it’s harder to grapple with them than to just acknowledge them. Conversely, the illusion of attaining perfection exacerbates our vulnerability, as it contradicts our inherent human nature. The pursuit of perfection is a paradoxical rule that distorts its own essence when initially established. 

In the movie, Ben decides to get revenge on his tormentors as a way to cope with what has happened to him. Regardless of the morality of Ben’s actions, it underscores the idea that facing real-life problems is a prerequisite for discovering new alternatives. In times of difficulty, seeking support from others often proves to be the most constructive approach.

Each form of addiction, including gaming addiction, serves a function, albeit with potentially devastating consequences. 

Addiction may act as a means of numbing oneself or establishing an ineffective way of connecting. However, the commonality among all addictions is their role as compensation for specific emotions. 

Consequently, before casually labeling gaming avatars as mere addictions, it is essential to reevaluate their purpose in our lives. They might be useful resources for introspection and self-knowledge, assisting in ending dependence cycles.

 

by Merve 

Merve is a volunteer at WE CARE. She is a clinical psychologist and academic researcher focusing on behavioral addictions. She also finds joy in immersing herself in popular culture, analyzing characters, plot dynamics, and the underlying themes presented in these narratives. She thinks that it is a unique lens through which she brings psychological theories into daily life, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human experience.