Video Games: Not Just Recreation

By Nick Haines & Trevor Poirier

In the ever-evolving society we live in, video games as a whole are becoming more and more realistic in their approaches.  More specifically, Role-Playing Games (RPG’s) are rising up to the forefront in some of the most well known video game franchises.  Why is that though?  What are Role-Playing Games and what makes them so popular in today’s society?  In order to answer these questions, we must first look at the history of RPG’s as a whole.

RPG’s originated from the rise of table-top role-playing games.  The first of these was created by Gary Gygax and is referred to today as Dungeons & Dragons.  This game involved the player creating their own imaginary character, and then sticking with that character throughout the game.  Random events shaped who that character became.  Following the table-top role-playing games came the development of the first console video role-playing game (v-RPG) called Advanced Dungeons & Dragons:  Treasure of Tarmin.  This game, which came out in 1982, involved basic 2-Dimensional graphics that allowed players to visualize their character as they advanced through the game.  Nowadays, RPG’s have expanded into vast, 3-Dimensional worlds, where the player has the freedom to do pretty much whatever they want.  Games such as Fallout and Skyrim allow players to create a whole new virtual persona in a whole new world.  The ability to customize these characters anyway the player wants gives the player a new attachment to the game that can not be created any other way.  The decisions made in the game come directly from the player, and consequently, affect the game accordingly.

Furthermore, RPG’s have now entered into a new era of gaming.  This era includes Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG’s).  This new shift in gaming now allows players to interact with other players from all over the world.  So, not only can players freely customize their players the way they want, but they also have the ability to freely interact with other people who have that same ability.

The popularity of these types of games can directly connect to our society today and our culture values as a whole.  To start, MMORPG's have completely shifted society’s perspective about “geeks.”  In the past, people who played a lot of video games were often seen as a social outcast because the person seemed to enjoy the virtual world more than the physical world.  However, as video games, specifically MMORPG’s, became more popular, the perception of players evolved.  Due to the the fact that these games now allow gamers to socialize while playing, players are seen as less “geeky,” and more “cool.”  Along with these, comes the ease in which access to these games became.  Most MMORPG’s are a download away on any computer or console, so the freedom to have the game is open.  This allows the gaming community to grow at a rapid rate, increasing its impact on society.

Another aspect of RPG’s and MMORPG’s is the fact that the player has the ability to express multiple identities, both inside and outside of the game.  In What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy, James Paul Gee talks about three separate identities involved with gaming.  The first is the virtual identity which is the in game character and the relationships formed in the game.  The second is the real-world identity which is the player who sits down and plays the game.  The third is known as the projected identity which is the essentially the connection between the player and the avatar they created.  The projected identity is the bridge between reality and virtual reality.  Oftentimes in RPG’s, players create an “ideal” character who exemplifies all the traits they admire most in a real-world identity.  This shows that players in today’s society use video games as an outlet to express who they want to be and how they want others to see them.

In conclusion, RPG’s are a major part of today’s society.  This is due in part to the rising number of players and the ease of access to play them.  In addition, RPG’s allow players to dream and go above and beyond what they can in a “real-world” scenario.

Eminem

By Mairyn Dodson & Maya Van Lysebettens

Eminem is one of the best-selling rappers of all time. His story is one of adversity and overcoming obstacles. Eminem, otherwise known as Marshall Mathers, was born in 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Marshall Bruce Mathers and Deborah Nelson-Mathers. His father left when he was sixth months old, and as a result, his mother and he frequently moved in order to be able to keep up with bills. In his songs, he details a horrifying childhood, claiming his mother abused drugs and fed him paint thinner, but since then, he has apologized to his mother for his accusations. When he was 14, his mother allowed two young girls, Kim and Dawn Scott, to move into their home. Eminem soon after entered into a relationship with Kim. When he was 17 years old, he dropped out of high school after being held back three times his freshman year. He spent the next few years working as a dishwasher at a local motel to help his mother pay bills, although she still kicked him out very often. In 1995, when Eminem was 23, he and Kim had Hailie, and two years later, he and Kim tied the knot. In 1997, Eminem flew to California to compete in the 1997 Rap Olympics, placing second. Talent Scouts at the competition gave Eminem’s mixtape to Dr. Dre, and from there, his career took off. Dr. Dre received a lot of criticism for wanting to sign Eminem because he was white. Dre responded, “I don’t give a fuck if you’re purple; If you can kick it, I’m working with you.”

Eminem’s music was so popular because it gave something for everyone to relate to, even if it doesn’t directly apply to their situation. He uses powerful metaphors to relate to all walks of life. He used his difficult and obstacle-filled life to inspire those who listened to his music. He helped to usher in a new era of hip hop, one that could apply to anyone. Before Eminem, hip-hop and rap was intended primarily for African Americans. He helped to show that hardships are hardships, regardless of your skin color. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can listen to whatever you want.

His first music was under the sadistic alter ego, Slim Shady. In this album, he rapped mostly about drugs and women; as his career progressed, his music took on many serious topics, including his children, his ex-wife, his addiction, and the ongoing war in the hip hop community that resulted in the unnecessary shortening of the lives of many young rappers. In his song “Toy Soldiers”, he calls for the end of a fatal war that has caused him to watch his friends endure a lot of pain and suffering. He claims that there is no more room for hate in the hip hop community. It is a community for understanding, not for death threats.

Many are quick to point out his sometimes negative lyrics, but few point out that he has even started his own charity, called the Marshall Mathers Foundation, which strives to help disadvantaged youth in his home state of Michigan. He also voices his support for charities such as the Eight Mile Boulevard Association, as well as ninemillion.org.

Although some of the content in Eminem’s music is racy, he always points out that he is just joking about doing some of those things. He encourages others to not take the same path that he did. His songs point out flaws in today’s society and pop culture that many choose not to see. Eminem’s music serves as an inspiration to us all. Whether or not we have been through similar situations, we can all derive similarities through his extended metaphors and his humorous outlook on life. Eminem is a constant reminder that no matter where you come from, you can be as successful as you want to be.

Women in Music

By Alexsenia Ralat & Douglas Sherrill

Our culture today seems to be celebrating men in music, or men in general, who represent promiscuity, as well as legal and illegal pastimes, and the mistreatment of women. These men in music are seen as idols by many and only seem controversial to a few. Now when it comes to women in music, if they sing about the same or similar things they are immediately (most of the time) attacked by the media, and people in general.

Our example of this comes through Taylor Swift, or more specifically her music video Blank Space. The entirety of this video is a large bowl of satire, attacking the media’s representation of her in very obvious ways. For example, she has been represented for years as being a person who has way too many relationships, when in reality she has only had seven in the last nine years.

Swift and many other female artists are attacked routinely in media and television because of the way that they present themselves. Men in music represent themselves as sexual “beasts,” people who are powerful and confident. Women like Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift are constantly bashed for showing the same characteristics. Why? The media praises men who assert themselves, what’s the difference when it comes to women exactly?

What does all of this mean, how does the media affect American Culture? As a culture we are submersed in tabloids and magazines, all the newest and hottest scandals are always just a screen away. As a culture we have grown to sexualize, manipulate, and idolize female icons who don’t “push the limit,” meaning: they don’t show their butt. These icons are expected to be feminine and pretty, the epitome of womanhood. While the men are expected to be manly and tough, beings who have sex, but aren’t expected to look sexy. There is something really wrong with these expectations and double standards. As soon as someone crosses the line, they are shot down, fed to the wolves, and beaten into submission. As a culture we attack women who assert themselves and men who show their feelings. This needs to change.

Taylor Swift and others such as Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj, are fighting the stigma that women in music are not as successful as the men. They are fighting for equality in not only the treatment, but the representation of women. They are powerful women who have not been beaten down by the media and they continue to stand by their beliefs. We need more people like them in the entertainment business, people who are not afraid to stand up for others and fight for equality.