You're playing a video game, when a character approaches you and asks for a sum of money. They give you a semi-plausible excuse and, well, your adventuring has been somewhat profitable lately, so you oblige them. They thank you for the money and turn and leave. Before you know it, they are off screen and your money counter reflects the loss of the contribution you agreed to. And you received...nothing.
Are you surprised?
Were you expecting a different outcome?
Of course you were. I know I was. Perhaps a gift. Maybe some intel. An enchanted item would've been great, but I would've settled for my health being restored...ah, a warm bed. You can't ever go wrong with a warm bed.
No sooner does this happen when you are approached again. An equally convincing character levels another seemingly justifiable cause while pandering for your money. You think to yourself, surely the same thing couldn't possibly happen again. So you dig into your wallet, fork over the money...and watch once again as the character walks off screen leaving you empty handed.
Are you surprised?
Were you expecting a different outcome?
Now, what if I told you it happened a third time? Yes, someone comes up to you asking for money after you have already given two other characters money for no apparent reason.
Albert Einstein is often attributed with saying, "Insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result." But for many gamers, it was hearing Vaas Montenegro, the villain from Far Cry 3, quoting this definition while threatening your life....before it really had an impact.
Would it be insane to offer a third character money after you have already given two other characters money for no apparent reason?
Maybe not - it's just money. Right?
That makes me think of another game though, with far more dire consequences for agreeing to something with unknown (but seemingly) bleak consequences.
Imagine you are some sort of soldier in training. Your mentor tells you he is going to rip your legs off and you will lose the use of them - do you agree? Yes. Of course. I want to be a great warrior and complete my training. The screen flashes and my health immediately drops to zero. This continues, and one by one I agree to have my arms, ears, eyes...
Wait, my eyes?
Yes...my eyes.
As the screen fades to black, I hear my trainer speak directly to mind...and ask me if I'm willing to give up my mind. I've lost all my health (presumably my arms, legs and ears). I've lost my vision. Will I give up my mind, yes or no?
Yes, of course.
Some of you will recognize this game (and yes, I embellished some of the small details just a bit)...and for the most part, that is exactly the choices you are faced with. And I'd venture to say...most of us agreed without hesitation to these choices...expecting it to be part of the game; expecting it to have an outcome other than the obvious.
Of course these are only two of many examples. How many times have we leapt off a ledge into the great unknown because we thought we could make the jump or find a hidden treasure room; how many times have we tried a puzzle over and over because we thought we had it figured out; how many times have we fought a big boss despite losing life after life until we finally beat them; how many times do we wander in circles because we can't figure something out, only to read the manual and see there was some piece of information we needed that we didn't know about...
How many times have you tried jumping over the flagpole in Mario...even though people said it couldn't be done?
Or played a racing game and tried accelerating when the countdown is on two, just to see if you get that brief boost of turbo.
Now consider this once again...
Insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result.
This quote, whether you prefer the Albert Einstein or the Vaas Montenegro version, speaks nothing of the actual results - only the expected result.
Are we (gamers) insane because we do something over and over again expecting a different result, or does the fact we are searching for an unexpected result make us sane?
Something to consider.
Hope you had a great day!
Cheers.