This freedom to choose one’s own identity and place meaning in the world (and, therefore, on the objects that constitute it) also comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility. And the burden of this responsibility is felt and understood when it configures restricting paradigms within a community. Because such is the result when there are many individual subjects – not just one – all with the same power to ascribe essence and ascertain identity. Suddenly, the player may realize that RuneScape 2, Dark Souls, and any other similarly online video game becomes a game of identity – just as life is.
The Essence of Video Game Avatars
