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 a game that had all the makings of changing the gaming world, “Cyberpunk 2077”.
Two Ways to Live
There’s something to be stated about a gaming franchise that influences other creators that they would hope to take said series into another medium of entertainment. Originally a tabletop game released in 1988, “Cyberpunk” has left a lasting impression on all those who have taken part in its dystopian presentation. Though game developers praised the original version & its expansions from afar, it wasn’t until 2007 that a game developer attempted to bring the action to a digital realm with a side-scrolling platformer. Looking to build upon the standard set by a small developer and the source material, CD Projekt Red has found itself graced with the opportunity to deliver one of the most anticipated games of not only 2020, but of an entire generation. One of the major reasons for this belief that “Cyberpunk 2077” would stand the test of time upon release was the promise of a branching narrative courtesy of the one of three character classes chosen by the player at the game’s start – “Street Kid”, “Nomad”, or “Corpo”. Each of the three classes provide introductory missions before the story settles down into, mostly, the same narrative for everyone involved including a meeting with a criminal broker/fixer looking to utilize V’s – the primary protagonist’s name no matter what – talents regarding illegal operations, Dexter Deshawn.
During the first meeting between Mr. Deshawn and V, Dexter poses a question for his potential new ally: “Quiet life, or blaze of glory?” In Dexter’s mind the world is full of two people. One set of people – once again, in Deshawn’s opinion – are nobodies who live a long, though unremarkable life before dying smelling like a bucket of urine. The other group of individuals leave a lasting impression on the world by any means necessary even if it means not seeing the age of thirty. Though Deshawn’s sentiments are too cut & dry for reality there is a nugget of truth in his words; going beyond criminal activity, trying to heist a mega-corporation, or being an anarchist with a death wish like the game’s real poster boy Johnny Silverhand (Keanu Reeves). People have many choices in how they carry on in life, but it usually boils down to doing everything one can to be the person they want to be; or settling for the easy road. To strike out and do what you want, be who you want to be is a scary premise if it compromises comfort and stability; but no matter the outcome you can lay your head down knowing you lived your life as one should live it – a fire lit under you the entire time. Don’t be afraid to be the person you envision yourself of being and working harder than you ever thought you could to become that person; don’t be afraid of going out in a blaze of glory.
Have you learned any major life lessons from playing “Cyberpunk 2077” or any video game for that matter? Leave them in the comments below and, as always, thanks for reading.
