I Game, Therefore I Am

Enlightened Entrepreneurship Level – 1 of 16: NPC (Non Player Character)

Steps – 1.1.1: Game >> 1.1.2: Gamer >> 1.1.3: The Game of Life >> 1.1.4: Spiritual Gameplay

School Subjects: Game Design, Sports, Esports, Psychology, Philosophy, Cosmology

Reading List: Games: Agency As Art by C. Thi Nguyen

Guild Prizekeeper: 🤱 The Caretaker || 🏥 Doctor | 🧹🧼 Custodian | 💪 Bodyguard | ⛑️🚒 Rescuer

Corresponding Build Button: 🔘: 🔢 KPI Button – Manifestation, Life Formula

Corresponding Inventory Item: 8 Observation Senses, 4 Elemental Baths, 4 Sanitation Methods, 4 Waste Disposal Methods, 4 Guarded Values

Prize: How to play life as a gamer. Every experience in the game of life brings experience points, which are the only way to level up! So we should choose to be gamers and play the game with sportsmanship. GG

EE 1.1.2: Gamer is the crucial next step in the Enlightened Entrepreneurship journey, building upon the foundational understanding of transcending the “NPC” mode (EE Level 1/16) and framing life as a “Game” (EE 1.1.1). This module is about consciously choosing to step into the role of the Gamer – the active protagonist who navigates their life’s playthrough with intention, skill, and a drive to level up.

Definitions of Gamer (as an Enlightened Entrepreneur)

Within the Nukanga framework, a Gamer is more than just someone who plays video games. In the context of EE 1.1.1, a Gamer is an individual who:

• Has Acknowledged Their Agency: They understand they are not merely following a script (like an NPC) but have the capacity to make choices and direct their own actions.
• Embraces the Game Metaphor: They consciously frame life’s challenges, opportunities, and interactions as elements within a grand, unfolding game.
• Actively Engages in Their Playthrough: They are not passive observers but are actively participating, seeking objectives, developing skills, and learning from every experience.
• Is Driven to Level Up: They have a desire for continuous personal growth, seeking out “experience points” through challenges and new experiences to improve themselves and their capabilities.
• Plays with Intentionality: Their actions are guided by purpose and strategy, aiming to achieve defined goals within the “game of life.”

Essentially, a Gamer in this framework is someone who has taken ownership of their life’s narrative and is committed to playing it fully and effectively.

History and Significance of the Term and the Profession (Gamer)

The term “Gamer” has evolved significantly over time. Its origins can be traced back to the 15th century, initially referring to individuals who participated in games of chance or skill, essentially “gamblers.”

The modern usage of “Gamer” is inextricably linked to the rise of interactive digital entertainment. With the advent of tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons in the 1970s, the term began to shift, referring to players of these immersive, character-driven games. The explosive growth of video games, from arcade classics to home consoles and personal computers, solidified “Gamer” as the term for someone who plays video or computer games.

Initially, “Gamer” might have been associated with a niche hobby. However, with the increasing accessibility and cultural impact of video games, the term has become more mainstream and encompasses a vast and diverse global community.

The rise of Esports has further elevated the term “Gamer” to a professional level. Esports are organized, competitive video game leagues and tournaments where skilled players compete individually or in teams for significant prizes and recognition. This has created a new class of professional athletes who train rigorously, strategize deeply, and perform at high levels within the digital arena. The existence of professional Gamers highlights the dedication, skill, and strategic thinking that can be cultivated through engaging with games at a high level. This professional aspect lends further weight to the metaphor of playing the “game of life” with seriousness and a drive for excellence.

The significance of the term “Gamer” today lies in its representation of engagement with interactive systems, problem-solving, community building (through online multiplayer and gaming culture), and the pursuit of mastery within a defined framework.

Why Play Life as a Gamer

Choosing to play life as a Gamer, rather than passively existing as an NPC, offers numerous benefits for personal fulfillment and entrepreneurial success:

• Increased Motivation and Drive: Approaching challenges as quests and goals as objectives injects a sense of purpose and excitement into daily life. The pursuit of “leveling up” becomes a powerful intrinsic motivator.
• Enhanced Resilience to Failure: Gamers understand that failure is a temporary setback, a chance to learn and adapt before the next “Respawn” or attempt. This perspective makes navigating the inevitable challenges and failures of life and entrepreneurship less discouraging.
• Improved Problem-Solving Skills: Games often require creative thinking, strategic planning, and quick decision-making under pressure – skills directly transferable to overcoming obstacles in real-world situations.
• Greater Self-Awareness: By actively observing your “playthrough,” identifying effective strategies, and recognizing areas for improvement, you gain deeper insights into your strengths and weaknesses.
• More Engaging Learning: Viewing new experiences and challenges as opportunities to gain “experience points” transforms learning from a chore into an exciting part of the game.
• Cultivation of Agency: The act of consciously choosing to play and make decisions reinforces your sense of control over your life’s direction.
• Appreciation for the Process: Like a Gamer who enjoys the challenge and interaction of gameplay, framing life as a game encourages you to appreciate the journey and the effort involved, not just the end goal.

Every Experience Brings Experience Points (XP)

A core concept in many games, particularly RPGs, is the accumulation of Experience Points (XP) through completing tasks, overcoming challenges, and engaging in interactions. These XP points are the currency of growth within the game, leading to character development and the ability to Level Up.

In the game of life, every experience, whether positive or negative, can be viewed as an opportunity to gain XP. Learning a new skill, completing a difficult project, navigating a challenging relationship, overcoming a personal fear, or even failing and learning from it – all contribute to your accumulation of life’s experience points.

These experience points are the only way to truly “level up” as an individual and as an entrepreneur. Leveling up in life means gaining wisdom, developing new abilities, expanding your understanding of the world, and increasing your capacity to handle greater challenges and opportunities. It’s a continuous process of growth and self-mastery.

So We Should Choose to Be Gamers and Play the Game with Sportsmanship

Given the empowering perspective and the tangible benefits of adopting a Gamer mindset, the conclusion is clear: we should consciously choose to be Gamers in the playthrough of our lives. This choice is an act of taking ownership and committing to an engaged and intentional existence.

Furthermore, as we play the game of life, it is essential to do so with Sportsmanship. In both traditional sports and Esports, sportsmanship involves respecting the rules, showing respect for opponents and fellow players, accepting victory and defeat gracefully, and striving for fair play.

In the game of life, sportsmanship means:

• Acting with Integrity: Upholding your values and ethical principles even when faced with difficult choices.
• Respecting Others: Treating everyone with dignity and empathy, recognizing that they are also players in their own unique games.
• Embracing Fair Competition: Striving for success through honest effort and innovation, rather than through deceit or exploitation.
• Learning from Both Wins and Losses: Using every outcome as a lesson for growth, without excessive boasting in victory or despair in defeat.
• Contributing Positively to the “Multiplayer” Experience: Engaging with others in ways that uplift, support, and create a more vibrant and enriching game for everyone.

By choosing to be a Gamer and playing the game of life with sportsmanship, you not only maximize your own potential for growth and success but also contribute to a more positive and constructive collective human experience. It’s time to grab the controller, define your quest, and play the game of life with skill, intention, and a true Gamer’s spirit.

Sources

(PDF) Homo Ludens : a study of the play element in culture

Philosopher’s Magazine Review of Games: Agency As Art by C. Thi Nguyen

Research Gate (PDF) – Games: Agency As Art by C. Thi Nguyen

How Games Became An Integral Form of Communication | C. Thi Nguyen