A few decades ago the masses believed video games were a waste of time for lackadaisical youths to pacify themselves while ignoring their responsibilities as both kids and young adults. As more and more people started understanding the benefits of gaming so too did the perception of what a video game is and, most importantly, the benefits gaming can bestow on a person’s life changed.
Hi, my name is James Bullock and I am a gamer who has spent the better part of his existence testing the laws of physics, exploring the vastness of a world ruined, and been a champion inside various arenas courtesy of digitized worlds both driven by reality and created through pure unbelievable ingenuity unlike anything seen by human eyes. And as a gamer I’ve discovered something else video games provide: life lessons. Today I examine how someone will always need to find that one thing in their live that gives them purpose courtesy of the “Borderlands” franchise.
Find That Thing That Makes Life Worth Living
The original “Borderlands” found itself being released at the perfect time. Co-op gaming via the internet was becoming all the rage thanks to network adapters either being in or could be connected to seventh generation consoles; giving rise to the popularity of first & third person shooters on consoles that would create franchises both revered for their gameplay as well as their financial success. When “Borderlands” came out in 2009 it blended all the best things about the era together including tight gunplay, jump in-jump out multiplayer options, rewarding players with weapons & upgrades for simply killing enemies (pulling off more impressive actions like head shots would even get a player more loot), and a unique art style only outdone by its humorous script. While the purpose of “Borderlands” and its successors has always been about getting the best loot possible, the truth is there’s more to the shimmering barbarity than meets the eye.
In reality, the biggest lesson learned from the “Borderlands” games be it the main numbered entries or even the spin-offs including the excellent “Tales of the Borderlands” is this one: people are continuously searching for something to make their lives feel important. The plot in the original “Borderlands” is simple with a band of merry Vault Hunters entering the financially abandoned planet of Pandora with the intent of opening the lauded and fabled vault of legends. Opening said vault would not only potentially give the successful quartet advanced alien technology that could be used to make even more guns, but also universal fame.
The “Pre-Sequel” that chronologically sets up “Borderlands 2” sees the future “Handsome” Jack discover his way out of being a low-level programmer for Hyperion would only come via the unlocking of a vault on Pandora’s moon. Rather than simply being satisfied with taking over the galactic corporation of Hyperion, Jack goes about his way working toward controlling the fabled “Warrior” housed inside of another vault. “Tales’” protagonist of Rhys too finds himself looking to become more of an important figure in both Hyperion and in the eyes of his friends & co-workers. Though Rhys’ actions do help save the galaxy without him even intending to, his intentions of trying to make his life feel like it’s worth something can’t be denied.
Then there’s “Borderlands 3” where the lesson grows beyond just the lead characters and bleeds into the universe itself thanks to the Calypso twins, Tyreen and Troy, using their social media influence to create their own religion based around the twins achieving their self-proclaimed birthright at opening the greatest of all vaults. Everyone needs some type of purpose in their life that makes them get out of a bed every morning be it taking care of their family, trying to make a childhood dream come true, or even making something that will warm someone’s heart. Hopefully whatever makes your life worth living comes with a Butt Stallion to enjoy the riches of your success.
Have you learned any major life lessons from playing the “Borderlands” franchise or any video game for that matter? Leave them in the comments below and, as always, thanks for reading.
