WORLDBUILDING AS ESCAPISM: UNLEASHING CREATIVITY AND FINDING REFUGE IN VIRTUAL REALMS WORLDBUILDING AS ESCAPISM
By Alyana Fatima
Entertainment
From the very beginning of the gaming phenomenon, video games have not only entertained but also served as an escape from the stresses of everyday life. Whether it’s playing co-op games with friends online, immersing oneself in a simulation game as a farmer instead of a student, or using creative juices to build entire worlds within a game, worldbuilding games offer a unique and immersive experience that provides a refuge for self-expression and imagination. One such popular worldbuilding game is Minecraft, where players can transform blocky landscapes into sprawling cities, mythical realms, or even replicas of real-world locations. The satisfaction derived from crafting something extraordinary from nothing helps players escape the constraints of reality, sparking a sense of liberation. Thus, they are inspired and empowered to design their own dream world from scratch, providing a much-needed escape from the monotony of the real world. In Minecraft, it’s not just about building cities; players delve into immense detail with every building, house, and room, allowing them to embody the role of an architect. This sense of agency and creative control can be deeply fulfilling, allowing players to explore their imaginations without boundaries. No Man’s Sky is another game that allows players to explore a procedurally generated universe and gives them the power to shape planets and ecosystems, offering a truly immersive escape into the vastness of space and the unknown.
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Illustrations by Jocey Neligwa
Escaping to a world of one’s own creation can provide emotional catharsis, enabling individuals to process their feelings and experiences in a safe and non-threatening environment. Creating a world with narratives and characters familiar to the player serves as a therapeutic outlet, allowing players to work through personal challenges and traumas. Imagine someone struggling with anxiety finding solace in Stardew Valley, a game where they can cultivate a serene and harmonious farmstead.
“Engaging in this calming virtual world can help them find a sense of peace and relaxation, reducing real-life stress.” Engaging in this calming virtual world can help them find a sense of peace and relaxation, reducing real-life stress. Similarly, Journey offers an emotional and introspective experience where players traverse a vast desert as a robed traveller. Through simple yet evocative storytelling and interactions with other players, Journey becomes a poignant metaphor for life’s journey and the connections we make along the way, offering players an opportunity for emotional healing and reflection.
“The satisfaction derived from crafting something extraordinary from nothing helps players escape the constraints of reality, sparking a sense of liberation.”
