Chapter 34

Do people play video games or do video games play people? This statement could be true either way you look at it. People are the ones holding the controllers and going through the motions. However, does that mean they are the ones playing? In this chapter, Espen J. Aarseth stated, "just as the game becomes a text for the user at the time of playing, it can be argued that the user becomes a text for the game." This is because they both "exchange and react to each other's messages according to a set of codes" which means "there is no message apart from the play". Players are the main characters in the video games which makes playing them so addicting. Also, the player gets satisfaction if he or she can keep reaching the next level. In this circumstance, it is the video game that is controlling the player. The video game keeps making the player continue. How many times does someone play a video game or computer game for a long time and then continues to say "Okay two more minutes..." and then four minutes later, "Okay one more minute." In this case, video games can be compared to technology.  Humans will never be satisfied with their inventions. Companies will always strive to keep trying to further technology and its intricacy.