The worlds of comic fandom and video games largely overlap. This is evident from the number of comic book franchises that have been successfully turned into popular games, as well as by looking at the typical demographics of each group. Beyond the fact that both of these hobbies are regarded as ‘nerdy’ by the general population, there are deeper connections that explain why they appeal to people in similar ways. Namely, the spirit of heroism that defines the comic book genre largely translates into the interactive medium and plays an interesting role in keeping the gamers in the right mindset to win.
Let’s unpack this interesting connection and try to work out what it means in practice.
Why Is the Heroic Narrative So Popular?
In a nutshell, every good story is about a hero overcoming hopeless odds to triumph over the forces of evil. While this setup works like a dream in any medium, it fits the aesthetics of comics particularly well as this art form prefers simple narratives with clearly defined roles and offers little space for nuance. It’s no surprise that some of the most famous superheroes like Superman or Batman originated as comic book characters before transitioning to the big screen.
Clean separation of characters into ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’ camps provides the reader with an obvious hint who to root for. In this simplified, romanticised worldview, individual greatness and personal sacrifice can solve even impossible situations while sinister plans are always thwarted. Most importantly, a dashing hero is easy to identify with, and many readers readily assume his perspective and hold their breaths through his every misadventure.
How the Comic Book Ethos Sets Expectations for Gamers?
The key difference between video games and comic books is the role of the user. The player is an active participant in the exchange, and his actions can affect outcomes. In a sense, video games allow for an even greater level of identification with the protagonist due to the act that the player controls the virtual character directly. Holding the controls means there is a clear correlation between each move and the final outcome.
Thrust into the role of the hero, gamers usually believe they can meet any challenge and successfully complete any task. Positive thinking helps to feel less overwhelmed by the complexity of the game, and is just as useful when planning a dungeon raid or for the Powerball prediction attempt. Perhaps the odds are not on their side, but that has never prevented a true hero from using all of his skills and intelligence to find a solution where there seemed to be none!
Why Video Game Players Must Be a Little Overconfident?
To become really good at gaming, it’s very important to never shy away from a challenge. It’s quite common to fail repeatedly when you start playing a new game, since it takes time to learn the rules and adopt a viable strategy, then practice its execution until it becomes second nature. A player who is easily discouraged never advances far enough to see the fruits of his early labour, which is why some extra motivation is critical.
This is where the hero narrative can be quite useful. When the player is immersed in the story and believes he can accomplish just about anything, he won’t quit trying during a rough patch. Much like a comic book hero, the player takes the challenge head-on and looks for any way to tilt the odds in his favour. Most games reward creative thinking and resourcefulness, so those who keep tweaking their approach usually stumble into a shortcut that lets them conquer the game faster.
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