Hi everyone,
So I recently started playing Skyrim, and I think it’s an incredible game. However, something that’s been troubling me for a while concerning games is, is it ok to do things that would be wrong in real life in video games? I don’t do things like killing innocent people, stealing, etc in games, but obviously in real life you shouldn’t kill random bandits and stuff. But on the other hand a game isn’t real, they’re programmed in the game for the player to level up on them.
The fact you have only just recently started means you’re not desensitized or disarmed by the game yet. What this means is you are less likely to defend it if you are uncomfortable now, but as time goes on, and you settle in, you will form a biased opinion for the sake of maintaining that enjoyment, whether it is morally licit or not.
What I see here is you are doing what you can, with your discomfort aside, to do the right thing and involve yourself with the game’s more positive options and choices. I think this is a good thing because it lets us know, in our attempt to help you, that you are engaging with your conscience, morality, and intellect, to try and create a positive outcome.
Garvnis Tercrat:
Which leads to my other question; Is magic ok in games? I don’t use magic at all in Skyrim, I didn’t even choose a sign at the stones near Riverwood, but I used shouts. I would like to explain these things in a sci-fi sort of way, saying that the dragonborn has genetic abilities inherited from dragons, however in the game the gods of Skyrim’s religion are actual characters, making them real in the game world. They’re the ones that you get magical abilities from I believe, even shouts. Some of them are good and I guess you can get power from them and do magic but wouldn’t that be like worshipping false gods in real life, even though it’s in a game? And what about shouts? I’m honestly quite stumped on this; maybe I’m over thinking, but maybe I’m rightly worried.
Thanks, God Bless
I’ve never played the game, but what I can tell you is that if your heart is troubled by this, take a step back, pray on it, ask your priest for advice, etc. Some things are not for everyone, and depending on your level of spirituality and sensitivity, this game may not be for you and it may not affect everyone else the way it affects you. I suggest taking some time away from it to find out of this is the case. I would not suggest getting opinions from people who are hardcore into the game, because they will be biased, and I do not suggest asking people who know nothing about it, because they may not be able to help you, for lack of any practical knowledge of the subject matter.
If you want my personal opinion, I think that if you have these feelings that make you feel guilty for playing the game, and you only just started playing recently, then perhaps it’s a game you should already not be involved with, even if just for the simple fact it makes you uncomfortable. If you have an aversion or negative feeling toward what is going on in the game, why would you go against your honest feelings?
You can either not play the game, or do your best to avoid the parts that make you uncomfortable, take the good and skip the bad, if you can. A word of caution, however. Alot of these video games are made to be addictive, since they require alot of time to achieve something usually, and whether you are on the side of good or evil, it’s all the same, and it drains you of your time for more productive things, and responsibilities. Now, if you have all your responsibilities squared away (foremost your responsibilities to God), and this is how you choose to spend your free time, that seems ok so long as it’s done in moderation.
There usually comes a point where what you’re trying to do hits a dead end, though, and you end up having to do the things you feel uncomfortable with in order to be good at the game or proceed. For example, if you have to pray or do whatever for/through those god characters you discuss, in order to get a buff or advantage, or power up, etc, and this is the only way to proceed or make the game an optimal experience, (especially if it involves other players who have better power ups or weapons because they’re not as scrupulous) then you run into a dead end where you have to choose between accepting what makes you uncomfortable so you can fully enjoy the game or compete with others, or else putting the game down and realizing it requires more of you than you are willing or wanting to do.
I will say this, however, in agreement with the others: you are not worshiping these ‘gods’, this is just a function within the game to increase your character’s bottom line; it’s more about whether you’re willing to do that and are comfortable with it.
Again, take a step back, pray on it, and decide for yourself. It’s just a game, not a friend; it won’t miss you if you stop playing, and it won’t like you if you keep playing. It can be hard if you make actual friends because of games like this, and then decide to leave the game; I’ve seen this happen and have had it happen to me with different games, so there is some separation anxiety at first, but if your friendship with these other players are strong enough (and diverse enough) to expand beyond the game into other interests and hobbies, then the game hardly matters, and the friendships will not be lost.
