Below is an extract from a friend’s Gaming Diary. We thought her comments my be of interest to our readers. Hence, they have been included for your reading pleasure.
Although, compared to some, I have not worked in Bardo Safaris much at all, however, each time I do, I notice how much the Bardo Safari situations are a mirror to life in this realm where I now sit.. I wanted to share this, most recent observation with you, today. Today, as I was entering a game with a plan to hunt for runes in the Tower (Countess Quest), where runes are guaranteed, it came to my attention that in the Bardo Safaris one is able to observe how “different characters” handle the same situations-differently depending on what kind of “character” type they are. One can choose a number (7) different characters to operate and learn to “voluntarily” operate each one.
In “the game” the NPCs (non player characters, like Akara, Charsi, Flavie … are programed to do what they do, without variation. They respond in a constant to the “character’s'” prompting.achievements…They always say the same things…They will sell pots, weapons, armor, anything the character wants can be had, as long as the character has the gold. The characters (sorc, druid, necro…) are not programed in exactly the way but they do have to abide the rules/laws of that particular environment that were developed by the “game designers” and their actions and behaviors are completely tied to the directions given by “the player/operator” ( you, me, Joe Smith…). If the player/operator directs a level one character into a situation it has not been properly prepared for, it will die, likewise, if the character has been sufficiently prepared it will succeed perhaps in accomplishing one or another of the quests/obstacles on the path toward the shared goals. The player/operator cannot change the laws of the game universe for the character but can assist the character by playing him/her/it. They, the character and player/operator have a relationship in which they “learn” the game together, do the Bardo Run together. The more the operator plays the character and understands the game, the better the character will perform in the game. This is one area where practice, practice, practice makes a big difference, like playing an instrument.The more the player/character “operates the character, the more likely she/he/it will learn how “to play” “the game”.
The character is programed to do certain number actions only. With the vigilance of the operator it can come to perform these actions incredibly well. The operator will learn what skills the character has at his/her/it’s disposal and exploit them in the most advantageous ways. The operator will outfit the character to protect it, make it fast, make it strong or whatever is needed to achieve the aim at hand. The character and the player/operator learn the game together as they play. This brings to mind the ventriloquist act. A good act will convince the audience that there are two entites operating.even though there is the only one.
The character serves the operator in that it is through the character that it is possible for the operator to participate in this particular environment for whatever reason the operator has in mind. It appears to quite a pleasant symbiotic situation since it is my supposition that the character does not have a life without the possession of the operator but I have no proof. I can see it like the “spirit/essence” giving life to a material form/machine. The operator/essence can work on “this” particular plane by taking possession of a character/machine/material form. The player will try to keep the character alive during the given situation in the order to further the mission.
It turned out to be much longer than anticipated but if you care to add to, comment on, with any thoughts or inspirations you have had along these or other lines related to the Bardo Safaris I would be interested to know them.
Yoyodyne
