Is reality a game?

[Eddi]

Question: To what extent is reality a game?

Basically: Is life a great big RPG, a "Role Playing Game"?

Reality is not a computer simulation. I am fairly sure of that.

Although I did used to believe that it is.

But it is very much like one.

Except for the part about computers.

I find it helpful to think of reality as being like a game.

There are rules and objectives.

And other participants who may be allies or enemies.

And you have a sophisticated character development system and can level up with experience points!

But the thing is, it is hard to discern the rules and objectives.

Personally, I use The Bible to guide and inspire me through life

Is there a score being kept?

I don’t know. Maybe some kind of karmic credit rating? I don't know.

As a Christian, I suspect that the aim of the game is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour but maybe there are other ways to win?

I am beginning to suspect that there are both players who play the game and non-player characters (NPCs) who are a part of the game as opposed to players. But there is no way to distinguish between these two groups, hence it is best to treat all humans as though they are fellow players.

Perhaps it is more of an elaborate test than a game?

What if Planet Earth is one of many levels we must all go through?

I don’t know.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

The reason why life seems like an RPG is because RPGs tap into some things about life.

So oftentimes when a person uses an analogy that life is like a RPG, they seem to be describing it as "rigid" and people as "predictable".

Unless I'm mistaken.

 

[Eddi]

they seem to be describing it as "rigid" and people as "predictable".

I think reality is like a game but I don't find it rigid or predictable, far from it

If reality is like a game then I think it's like a very loose and open-ended one, which allows a great scope for creativity and self-expression

Unless of course you are living in an awful part of the world or are somehow disadvantaged

 

[Heyo]

Question: To what extent is reality a game?

Basically: Is life a great big RPG, a "Role Playing Game"?

Reality is not a computer simulation. I am fairly sure of that.

Although I did used to believe that it is.

But it is very much like one.

Except for the part about computers.

I find it helpful to think of reality as being like a game.

There are rules and objectives.

And other participants who may be allies or enemies.

And you have a sophisticated character development system and can level up with experience points!

But the thing is, it is hard to discern the rules and objectives.

Personally, I use The Bible to guide and inspire me through life

Is there a score being kept?

I don’t know. Maybe some kind of karmic credit rating? I don't know.

As a Christian, I suspect that the aim of the game is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour but maybe there are other ways to win?

I am beginning to suspect that there are both players who play the game and non-player characters (NPCs) who are a part of the game as opposed to players. But there is no way to distinguish between these two groups, hence it is best to treat all humans as though they are fellow players.

Perhaps it is more of an elaborate test than a game?

What if Planet Earth is one of many levels we must all go through?

I don’t know.

A game is very similar to a simulation. In a simulation, the "world" is closed, no external influences. In a game, entities from outside the simulated world can interact with it. If you believe in a "soul" or something alike that controls your character (body) and can return to the "outside" of our world, you are in a game.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I think reality is like a game but I don't find it rigid or predictable, far from it

If reality is like a game then I think it's like a very loose and open-ended one, which allows a great scope for creativity and self-expression

Unless of course you are living in an awful part of the world or are somehow disadvantaged

Life is like a game because a lot of games have elements of life to them.

And life's not really rigid or predictable most of the time. But when most people, not necessarily yourself, call life like an RPG, I think that's what they're saying. But it depends on the context.

I know, or at least have an idea, because I once said on this forum that "Life is sometimes like an RPG" when talking to one or two other like-minded people about it. Due to some specific life situations seeming rigid and predictable.

 

[SalixIncendium]

All the world's indeed a stage
And we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each another's audience
Outside the gilded cage.

Limelight ~ Rush

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

I find it helpful to think of reality as being like a game. There are rules and objectives. And other participants who may be allies or enemies. And you have a sophisticated character development system and can level up with experience points! But the thing is, it is hard to discern the rules and objectives.

That's pretty close to the mathematical definition of a game, which is not the same as a diversion like checkers, but any situation in which the choices of oneself and those of others effect outcomes favorably or unfavorably:

Useful Terms in Game Theory

Any time we have a situation with two or more players that involve known payouts or quantifiable consequences, we can use game theory to help determine the most likely outcomes. Let's start by defining a few terms commonly used in the study of game theory:

• Game: Any set of circumstances that has a result dependent on the actions of two or more decision-makers (players)
• Players: A strategic decision-maker within the context of the game
• Strategy: A complete plan of action a player will take given the set of circumstances that might arise within the game
• Payoff: The payout a player receives from arriving at a particular outcome (The payout can be in any quantifiable form, from dollars to utility.)

 

[Quintessence]

Dude, if real life was an RPG I would absolutely not be wearing the boring crap I wear everyday. The entire point of an RPG is to be someone other than yourself. So no, real life is definitely not an RPG. Unless, possibly, you are a professional actor.

 

[PearlSeeker]

So oftentimes when a person uses an analogy that life is like a RPG, they seem to be describing it as "rigid" and people as "predictable".

"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

 

[Eddi]

• Game: Any set of circumstances that has a result dependent on the actions of two or more decision-makers (players)
• Players: A strategic decision-maker within the context of the game
• Strategy: A complete plan of action a player will take given the set of circumstances that might arise within the game
• Payoff: The payout a player receives from arriving at a particular outcome (The payout can be in any quantifiable form, from dollars to utility.)

If these are the criteria that make a thing a game then I think reality is very much like a game

 

[Nimos]

Perhaps it is more of an elaborate test than a game?

What if Planet Earth is one of many levels we must all go through?

I don’t know.

For anyone that has played RPGs, it is not a silly thought, but I think the logical way to look at it is the other way around and that RPGs are created to simplify reality so it fits into that of a game.

 

[Heyo]

If these are the criteria that make a thing a game then I think reality is very much like a game

And what is the objective? Whoever dies with the most toys, wins?

 

[Eddi]

And what is the objective? Whoever dies with the most toys, wins?

It's more of a test

Passing it is both the reward and the aim

Not accumulating stuff

 

[Heyo]

It's more of a test

Passing it is both the reward and the aim

Not accumulating stuff

That doesn't really fit the definition of a game in game theory, though it is compatible with a colloquial view.

 

[Eddi]

That doesn't really fit the definition of a game in game theory, though it is compatible with a colloquial view.

Go on then, enlighten us as to a more academic definition

 

[SalixIncendium]

Dude, if real life was an RPG I would absolutely not be wearing the boring crap I wear everyday. The entire point of an RPG is to be someone other than yourself.

But I am someone other than mySelf.

So no, real life is definitely not an RPG. Unless, possibly, you are a professional actor.

Aren’t we all?

 

[Heyo]

Go on then, enlighten us as to a more academic definition

@It Aint Necessarily So already did. But with your objective you have no payoff for which you compete with other players.

 

[Eddi]

@It Aint Necessarily So already did. But with your objective you have no payoff for which you compete with other players.

But does a game have to be competitive?

What if the game is cooperative?

What if participants play against the game rather than against each other?

 

[Heyo]

But does a game have to be competitive?

What if the game is cooperative?

What if participants play against the game rather than against each other?

Then "the game" would be considered a player.