The Art of Gaming
How Video Games Made Me a Writer By Ashley Ray Cox
The Art of Gaming How Video Games Made Me a Writer By Ashley Ray Cox
First Posted February 24, 2015
CJ Photo: Me COEXIST Photo: http://www.8bitthis.com/gamer-‐coexist-‐vinyl-‐decal-‐sticker/ Cover Photo: http://currieart.blogspot.com/2012/04/shadow-‐of-‐colossus.html Duck Hunt Photo: http://galleryhip.com/duck-‐hunt-‐logo.html Feminism Photo: http://www.respectwomen.co.in/who-‐needs-‐feminism/ Journey Photo: http://www.theairgottoit.com/in-‐the-‐end-‐the-‐end-‐doesnt-‐matter-‐some-‐thoughts-‐on-‐journey/ KH and Colossus Photos, Game Over Logo: Wikipedia Sculpture Photo: http://shirt.woot.com/forums/viewpost.aspx?postid=2704607 SSBM Photo: http://www.emuparadise.me/Nintendo_Gamecube_ISOs/Super_Smash_Brothers_Melee/66416 Violent Gamer Photo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0msXmJLfpM
For everyone who played video games with me
“Video games foster the mindset that allows creativity to grow.” -‐Nolan Busnell
Video games are a bit of a heated subject in our society.
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To some, they are a scapegoat; What awful parent wouldn’t want to blame something else for their child’s psychosis?
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To others, they are a form of artwork: interactive paintings that move and tell stories.
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While I agree with this second line of thinking, to me, video games are a source of inspiration.
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I began playing video games before I even knew how to read. My parents would have to sit next to me and read the directions and text aloud as I fearlessly—sometimes—scoured dungeons and saved princesses. From the day I was old enough to hold a Duck Hunt gun, I was hooked.
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I was fortunate to have so many relatives—mostly male—who loved video games as much as I did. My oldest cousin, Harley, was a teenager when I was born, and he would come over almost every day to spend time with my parents and I. Some of my fondest memories of our time together consist of us sitting on the floor of the living room, watching Harley play Crash Bandicoot, The Bouncer, and Onimusha. And my father played as well: everything from Max Payne to Twisted Metal II.
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I started off playing games more “appropriate” for my age and gender, such as 102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the Rescue, Tigger’s Honey Hunt, and all sorts of educational fare. I also began playing various computer games, though I always returned to my consoles eventually.
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As I got older, I began playing “violent” games. I mastered Tekken Tag Tournament, and Halo became a family affair with all of my uncles, male cousins, and I. Both of my parents are gamers, too. We played Animal Crossing daily, as well as Burnout 3 and Lego Star Wars. I was never told that what I was doing was “unacceptable” for a girl; my family has always supported my love of video games.
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My friends and I also played video games together. Super Smash Brothers Melee and Dance Dance Revolution became regular fixtures of our hang-‐outs, and as we got older, several friends and I would take turns beating games whenever we got together. We conquered Fatal Frame, Spyro, and countless
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I met my boyfriend through playing Super Smash Brothers and Pokémon. He organizes tournaments in the Indianapolis area, and we play video games whenever we are together.
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Most importantly, video games have made me a writer.
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The first story I ever wrote was a piece of Kingdom Hearts fanfiction. KH is the great love of my gaming life. I’ve been playing the series since the first game was released in 2002 (it was a gift from Harley), and through it, have made and maintained numerous close friendships. The intricate storyline, complex characters, and deep themes inspired me like nothing else. Despite its flaws, Kingdom Hearts is—to me—art.
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The idea of video games as “art” is an ongoing argument within the entertainment industry. One game that is always exemplified as art is Team Ico’s game, Shadow of the Colossus, due to its beautiful design, emotional journey, and interactive gameplay. Although I played it years after it was released in 2006, it has still had a tremendous influence on the way I write, and what I write about (see the cover of this book).
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Video games taught me to appreciate beauty in everything. They taught me tolerance, bravery, and teamwork. They did not make me more violent; they made me more kind and creative. The life lessons I learned from gaming— and my fellow gamers—led me to become a writer, and inspire me to do something meaningful with my own “adventure”.
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Thanks for Playing!