Megan Vrolijk

Understanding Media

The article reflects a brief evolution of games within society. While noting that war games as well as other types of games have been utilized in more primitive societies as a "model of the universe," new technology has obviously changed how these games are played. And while there are points conveyed in the article that relate computer games to art (as reflecting culture) and to the more primitive games, it does not address in what ways a war game played on a computer effects the player compaired to a war game in real life as in New Guinea.

Computer games, more so than physical games, allow the player to step into a role much more outside of himself. Understanding Media indicates that this allows "new relationships and postures" and a "respite from customary patterns." The new patterns are chosen and could be expressions of repressed desires. As the author states, "it is the pattern of a game that gives it relevance to our inner lives."