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Solitary play example


What Is Solitary Play? Definition, Age, Games, Examples, and More

As your little one starts to play with toys and explore objects around your home, they may do so interacting with you at times, and at other times, go at it alone.

Solitary play, sometimes called independent play, is a stage of infant development where your child plays alone. While that may seem sad at first — is your baby already preparing to leave the nest? — rest assured that they’re learning important skills.

Solitary play teaches babies how to entertain themselves — undoubtedly helpful when you need to get things done — and also fosters their future independence.

Solitary play is often first seen in children ages 0–2, before they start interacting and playing with other kids. Independent play is also a stage that older preschoolers and children choose to engage in after they know how to play with others, proving just how valuable this skill is.

Solitary play is considered the second of Mildred Parten Newhall’s six stages of play. Here’s where it falls, if you’re keeping track:

  1. Unoccupied play. Your baby is just starting to take in the world around them without much interaction beyond observation. Their surroundings are fascinating!
  2. Solitary play. Much to your delight, your baby starts reaching for and interacting with objects. Sure, they’re playing alone — but it’s delightful to see the wonderment at this stage. They don’t yet understand or care that others around them may be playing, too.
  3. Onlooker play. Your child observes others, but isn’t playing together with them. You may notice your little one pausing in their play to watch you as you do things around a room.
  4. Parallel play. Your child plays at the same time as others in the general vicinity, but doesn’t interact with them. Think of a busy call center where rows of telemarketers are all making their own phone calls. (On second thought, don’t think of that. )
  5. Associative play. Your child plays next to or alongside other kids doing similar activities. They start to adorably talk to or interact with one another but won’t organize or synchronize activities.
  6. Cooperative play. Makin’ you proud — when your child plays with others cooperatively and is interested in both the other kids and the activity.

Your baby may start playing — we use the term a little loosely at this age — independently as young as 2 or 3 months, or as soon as they can start seeing bright colors and textures.

As they grow a little more, they’ll take a bigger and bigger interest in toys and objects around them. This may occur from 4–6 months. You can set them up on a mat or blanket on the floor and watch them take an interest in toys, objects, or a play gym without your help.

Solitary play will continue beyond babyhood. Most toddlers and preschoolers around ages 2–3 start to take an interest in interacting and playing with other children, but that doesn’t mean solitary play stops. It’s healthy for your child to play alone from time to time.

If you’re concerned about your little one’s play habits or worried they’re playing alone too often, talk to an amazing resource you have — your child’s pediatrician.

Solitary play for infants is downright adorable and may include:

  • looking at colorful pictures in board books
  • sorting and stacking nesting bowls
  • interacting with their play gym
  • playing with blocks

Examples of solitary play for toddlers/preschool-aged children — who may choose to play alone even when they are able to play with others — include:

  • “reading” or flipping through books on their own
  • working on a project like a Lego set
  • putting together a puzzle
  • coloring or painting on large sheets of paper or in coloring books
  • playing with wooden blocks or a train set
  • playing in their play kitchen

And because we could all use some additional ideas, here are some more solitary play options for your toddler/preschool-aged child if they’re upset to have no playmates around:

  • Give your child a “Where’s Waldo” or “I-Spy” book they can look at by themselves.
  • Watch your child play on a hopscotch board outside they can jump through without your help.
  • Give your child age-appropriate matching card games they can play on their own.
  • Look for age-appropriate sets of toys your child can put together on their own, like magnetic wooden blocks, Lego Duplo, or Magna-Tiles.

Fosters independence

When your child is a newborn, you do everything for them — even hand them a toy. As they grow into the solitary play stage, they’ll start to reach for things nearby on their own. Even though they’re still so young, babies entering this phase start to develop independence.

It may be hard to see now, but they’ll eventually figure out how to problem solve, build, or do a new toy on their own. If you let them be without interfering, you’re allowing your child to become more independent later on. We know, it’s bittersweet.

Helps develop preferences and interests

When your baby is playing independently, they’re also developing their own preferences and interests. Later on, they may be part of a group of children who all like similar toys and activities.

For now, they’re deciding whether they like the red or green ball best. This is a must for understanding what they like and don’t like in the world, research shows.

Develops creativity and imagination

You can set out toys for your little one, but it’s up to them what they decide to play with during solitary play. Their focus is on the objects of their play only, and babies may even become upset if you try to join in or direct the play with the objects in front of them.

Don’t take it personally — developing a mind of their own and laying the foundation for future imagination is a good thing!

Develops powers of concentration, persistence, and completion

Research shows that later on, when your toddler or preschooler chooses to engage in solitary play, they’re in charge of their actions. This allows them to focus on what they want to do and learn to work through problems. They also learn to complete a task.

If this sounds pretty far off for your tiny baby currently playing alone in their play gym and not even able to sit up independently, give yourself a pat on the back anyway — you’re helping to ensure that they’ll be taskmasters before you know it.

Solitary play has so many benefits for your child. But around preschool age, if your child hasn’t started interacting or playing with other kids, you may be concerned.

You and your child’s caregivers can slowly start to encourage them to interact with other children who may have similar interests. Keep in mind, all children develop at their own pace, so your kid may start to play with others slightly later. That’s OK.

You can always talk to your child’s pediatrician about any concerns you have about their development. They can recommend a child psychologist or counselor, if needed.

Remember, even when your little one is playing alone, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to supervise them. Sit back and let your young child have their playtime while continuing to keep an eye on them. But try not to interfere unless it’s necessary.

One final note: Try to separate independent or solitary playtime from screen time. They aren’t the same thing. Excessive screen time for toddlers may interfere with healthy development, research shows.

What Is Solitary Play? Here Are Some Examples And Activities For Your Growing Baby

Parenting

by Team Scary Mommy

Updated: 

Originally Published: 

Tatiana Syrikova/Pexels

Looking for more examples of play in babies, toddlers, and preschoolers? Check out our package with more information on onlooker play, parallel play, associative play, and cooperative play.

Being a new mom usually involves moments where you want to savor every second and bond with your baby. You can’t believe you get to spend time with the precious little angel and never want it to end. And then sometimes it involves sitting on the toilet, wondering if you’ll ever be able to pee with the door closed again, while frantically Googling “how many months until baby plays and entertains itself.” Of course you don’t want to rush the time you have with your little one when they’re, well, little, but it can also be fun to watch your child develop and start to play.

Believe it or not, there are actually six different stages of play, which were developed by American sociologist Dr. Mildred Parten Newhall in 1929. One of these stages is solitary play. Here’s what solitary play involves, along with some activities and examples of it.

The six stages of play

If you take a look at kids interacting on a playground or in a daycare and lump everything they’re doing together as “play,” you may be interested to learn that there are actually six distinct stages of play. These were developed by Parten Newhall as part of her doctoral dissertation, which she finished in 1929 and went on to publish in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology in 1932. Not only was Parten Newhall one of the first researchers to seriously study play, her stages are still regularly referenced today, more than 70 years later.

Parten Newhall’s six stages of play include:

  • Unoccupied play
  • Solitary (or independent) play
  • Onlooker play
  • Parallel play
  • Associative play
  • Cooperative play

These stages take various factors into consideration, including a child’s age, mood, and social setting. And while her research focused on children between the ages of two and five, it’s important to keep in mind that every child develops at their own pace, meaning that there’s no “normal” play behavior for all three-year-olds, for example. Here, we’re going to focus on solitary play. Here’s what you need to know.

What is solitary play?

As the name suggests, “solitary play” is when children keep themselves entertained without relying on a parent, caregiver, or other kids to lead or socially interact with them, according to Michigan State University. Do kids engaged in solitary play realize they’re playing alone? Maybe! They may notice other children around, or they easily could stay in their own little world. Should this concern you as a parent? Definitely not. Solitary play is only the second stage of play, meaning that your kiddo has just started on this journey and is still figuring things out.

What are the benefits of solitary play?

There is nothing wrong with your kid wanting to play by themselves. It’s actually integral to their social development, so it’s important to let them explore this phase and time. Not only that, but there are some major benefits to solitary play, including giving kids the chance to explore their surroundings (and toys) on their own, learn new or master existing motor and cognitive skills, and get them ready to eventually play with other children.

Solitary is a very creative and imaginative time for your little one. When they’re playing alone, they’re also thinking… a lot. This type of play helps your kid become more independent and self-reliant. This is a healthy part of social development because it’s important for your kid to understand that they can depend on themselves to have fun even if there are other children around.

Playing alone isn’t always a bad thing. It’s part of what kids need to do to learn how to play with others. For your child, this is a chance to take charge and create a relaxed environment where your kiddo doesn’t have to depend on others to have fun. That is a self-esteem booster that helps your child become more self-sufficient. Solitary play is a great way for your nugget to improve and explore their levels of concentration and work ethic. They’ll also learn how to complete tasks on their own.

What are some examples of solitary play?

Solitary play can take different forms depending on the age of the child. Some examples of solitary play for babies include:

  • Looking at bright and colorful pictures in board books
  • Creating a makeshift “drum” (i. e. banging one object on another one so it makes a sound)
  • Stacking and/or sorting cups or bowls
  • Using their activity pad/baby gym
  • Holding and looking at a stuffed animal

As babies turn into toddlers, their preferred methods of solitary play change a little, too, and could include examples like:

  • Flipping through the pages of a book (as if they were “reading” it)
  • Playing with blocks or Lego
  • Keeping themselves entertained in a play kitchen (whether that’s pretend cooking, eating, or just sorting and rearranging their plastic food)
  • Drawing or coloring on sheets of paper
  • Putting together an easy puzzle

What are some solitary play activities?

In addition to the ones already mentioned above, solitary play activities can include:

  • Giving your kid sidewalk chalk so they can draw outside
  • Drawing a hopscotch board (outdoors) and then turning it over to your child to play with it however they want to
  • Providing them with a match game (the little ones can look at the pictures and the older ones can try to find matches)
  • Introducing them to magnets (in a safe environment, like in front of the refrigerator)
  • Making a collage is a great way for your kid to get creative and put all their artistic thinking onto the page. Make sure you have markers, pipe cleaners, glitter, paint, and glue.
  • Setting your little one up with a blanket and their favorite plushies for a teddy bear picnic
  • Tucking your kiddo into a cozy spot and turning on a children’s story podcast
  • Filling balloons with playdough and other substances for a sensory experience
  • Breaking out the Etch-a-Sketch or Magnadoodle
  • Handing your little one a toy catalog and asking them to circle their favorite items
  • Stickers are the foundation of childhood, so give your little one their first sticker book. They can spend time peeling and sticking their designs wherever they want in the book.

Does starting solitary play mean that your child won’t want to play with you again? That would be highly unlikely. But at least if they can entertain themselves, you have a better shot at peeing and showering alone.

How can parents support solitary play?

It’s important to remember that solitary play isn’t strange or means that your nugget is antisocial. It’s an important part of growing up and even adults do it sometimes.

  • Push your child to dance to the beat of their own drum by encouraging them to enjoy their own company. If there are no children to play with or other kids aren’t interested, let them know that they can have a successful playdate on their own.
  • Tell them to think of ways to play even if it’s by themselves and encourage their ideas.

This article was originally published on

What is single player? - Drink-Drink

Are you going alone?

As your little one begins to play with toys and explore around your home, he may do so from time to time with you and sometimes alone.

Solitary play, sometimes called independent play, is a stage of infant development in which your child plays alone. While it may seem sad at first, is your baby getting ready to leave the nest? - be sure they are learning important skills.

Playing alone teaches children how to entertain themselves, which is certainly helpful when things need to be done, and also promotes their independence in the future.

Solitary play is often first noticed in children between the ages of 0 and 2, before they begin to interact and play with other children. Independent play is also the stage older preschoolers and children choose to participate in after they know how to play with others, proving how valuable this skill is.

How the single game fits into the 6 stages of the game

The single game counts as the second of the six stages of the Mildred Parthen Newhall game. Here's where it falls if you're following:

  1. Idle game. Your child is just beginning to perceive the world around him without much interaction other than observation. Their environment is amazing!
  2. Lonely game. Much to your delight, your child is beginning to reach for and interact with objects. Of course, they play alone, but it's nice to see surprise at this stage. They do not yet understand and do not care that others can also play.
  3. Spectator game. Your child watches others but does not play with them. You may notice that your little one pauses in their play to watch you do something in the room.
  4. Parallel game. Your child plays at the same time with other people in the immediate vicinity, but does not interact with them. Think of a busy call center where rows of telemarketers make their own phone calls.
  5. Association game. Your child plays with or near other children doing similar activities. They will start talking or interacting nicely with each other, but will not organize or synchronize activities.
  6. Joint game. Makes you proud when your child plays with others and is interested in both other children and activities.

When babies usually enter this stage

Your baby may start to play - at this age we use the term somewhat vaguely - on their own at 2 or 3 months or as soon as they start seeing bright colors and textures.

As they grow a little, they will show more and more interest in toys and objects around them. This can happen between 4 and 6 months of age. You can lay them down on a rug or blanket on the floor and watch them show interest in toys, objects, or the playroom without your help.

Solitary play will continue after infancy. Most toddlers and preschoolers between the ages of 2 and 3 begin to show interest in socializing and playing with other children, but that doesn't mean that solitary play is over. It is good for your child to play alone from time to time.

If you're concerned about your toddler's play habits, or worried that he plays alone too much, talk to your wonderful assistant, your child's pediatrician.

Examples of single play

Single play for babies is adorable and may include:

  • looking at colorful pictures in board books
  • sorting and stacking nest bowls
  • interacting with their playroom
  • playing with blocks

Examples of solitary play for toddlers/preschoolers who may choose to play alone, even though they may play with others, include:

  • “read” or leaf through books on their own
  • working on a project similar to the Lego set
  • jigsaw puzzle
  • coloring or drawing on large sheets of paper or coloring books
  • playing with wooden blocks or a train
  • playing in their play kitchen

And since we all might need some extra ideas, here are some more solo play options for your toddler/preschooler if they're frustrated by their lack of playmates:

  • Give your child a book called Where's Waldo or I'm a Spy ”, which he can view on his own.
  • Watch your child play on an outside hopscotch board that they can jump over without your help.
  • Give your child age-appropriate card games that they can play on their own.
  • Look for age-appropriate toy sets that your child can build on their own, such as magnetic wooden bricks, Lego Duplo or Magna-Tiles.

The Benefits of Solitary Play

Promotes Independence

When your baby is a newborn, you do everything for him - even hand him a toy. As they progress into the single player stage, they begin to reach for nearby things on their own. Even though they are still so young, children entering this phase begin to develop independence.

It may be hard to see now, but eventually they will figure out how to solve a problem, build or make a new toy on their own. If you let them be without interfering, you will allow your child to become more independent later on.

Helps develop preferences and interests

When your child plays by himself, he also develops his own preferences and interests. Later, they may become part of a group of children who enjoy the same toys and activities.

While they decide whether they like the ball red or green. This is essential for understanding what they like and dislike in the world, studies show.

Develops creativity and imagination

You can lay out the toys for your little one, but he decides what he decides to play with during single play. Their attention is focused only on the objects of their play, and children may even get frustrated if you try to join them or direct the play with the objects in front of them.

Don't take it personally - developing your own thinking and laying the foundation for future imagination is good!

Develops the ability to concentrate, persevere and complete

Research shows that later, when your toddler or preschooler decides to play alone, he is responsible for his own actions. This allows them to focus on what they want to do and learn how to solve problems. They also learn to complete the task.

If that sounds like a far cry to your tiny child who is currently playing alone in their playroom and can't even sit up on their own, give yourself a pat on the back anyway - you're helping to make sure they become taskmasters before you do. you will know it. It.

General concerns about solitary play

Solitary play has so many benefits for your child. But in preschool, if your child hasn't started socializing or playing with other children, you may be concerned.

You and your child's caregivers can gradually encourage your child to connect with other children who may have similar interests. Keep in mind that all children develop at their own pace, so your child may start playing with others a little later. Everything is fine.

You can always talk to your child's pediatrician about any developmental concerns. If necessary, they can recommend a child psychologist or counselor.

Conclusion

Remember, just because your little one plays alone, it doesn't mean you don't need to supervise him. Sit back and let your little one play while keeping an eye on him. But try not to interfere unless it's necessary.

One final note: try to separate independent or solo play time from screen time. It's not the same thing. Research shows that excessive screen time in toddlers can interfere with their healthy development.

Games: Singleplayer and Multiplayer.: shmandercheizer — LiveJournal

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Once a hero is always a hero.


This cycle began with the feeling that there were structures behind my preferences in games. One of the first topics was my attitude to multiplayer, which I discussed more than once with my friend, who is extinguished in LoL. I never liked playing online. Together against a computer - yes, but game battles on the Internet have always left indifferent. It is my deep conviction that single player games embody the logic of desire, while multiplayer games are built on compromises. In my youth, multiplayer repelled by the stupid orientation of players towards efficiency and results, which kills any aesthetics. At an older age, online games began to seem like the embodiment of a certain psycho (patho) logical position, which is not close to me. I understand perfectly well that for many online battles is a very intense and rich experience. Actually, in order to understand on the basis of what the passion for a single or multiplayer type of game, a certain genre or a specific game arises, I began to analyze various aspects of the psychology of computer games.

A I vs IQ (or how addiction to a single game develops).

As I noted in one of the previous texts, the experience of the game is closely tied to self-image (identity) and the active formation of the meaning of one's own actions and experiences (subjectivation). Given this, it is easier to understand the disputes between supporters of singleplayer and multiplayer.
In multiplayer and singleplayer, the games themselves differ rather than the experience gained, which is why some easily combine them, others being adherents of only one type, the second is considered something of a heresy. And criticism of each other is mostly meaningless. Single player games are generally criticized for being solipsistic, unrealistic, and predictable. A particularly fashionable thesis: computer artificial intelligence (AI) can surprise nothing. The first argument is simply ridiculous, since we are talking about video games, where even multiplayer is a kind of fantasy escape that is not solipsistic, if only because the player accepts external restrictions. It is strange that those who read books are not yet called solipsists. The second argument makes sense, but only under perfect conditions, i.e. when all online battle players have both good game skills and noble personality traits. Otherwise, the game turns into a waste of time. And the intelligence of computer opponents, and real ones, sooner or later will cease to amaze you - it's a matter of time and experience. The human IQ is, on average, fairly predictable, with minimal awareness of its conditions and inputs.
In addition, many games are built on conventions, which include AI opponents that are feasible for simple calculations. Otherwise, most games would be impassable, or more precisely, passable in a time approximately equal to or greater than the lifespan. Once it was believed that a machine could not win at chess, because it is a creative application of intelligence (in the 18th century even the mystery of the “Turk with a chessboard” machine appeared), there is no doubt that today it is possible to create an almost invincible AI in limited conditions strategy or shooter?
In my opinion, a single-player mode with a well-developed campaign (i.e. story) is the highest development of computer games, which began with analogues of board games and simple arcades. In comparison with it, the multiplayer has only one specific property that is not fully implemented in a single - this is an element of social communication, which I will talk about a little later. Otherwise, the multiplayer only in exceptional cases achieves something close to the single in terms of atmosphere, style and plot, but seriously loses in terms of experiences - it can only oppose the adrenaline of the fight against complex attachment relationships. This is simply because we live in a culture that more often associates play with individual self-realization than with collective action, and therefore the experience of being the only hero is much stronger than the feeling of participating in a random group. The single is actually a model of a story told in some form, where you can stop like in a book, cartoon or movie. Multiplayer either turns into something similar to chess games, or into an endless grind. The model of a full-fledged history is more relevant for the majority than the model of a game of chess. And this literary-centricity of both the games themselves and our experiences can disappear only with serious changes in culture. But such changes have not yet been observed even in the main medium of our time - video and cinema (where rare exceptions only confirm the rule).
Because of this, the classic single-player campaign seems to be a more familiar form of pastime than online games. A single player in a game that has a beginning and an end are the conditions that allow the typical neurotic to meet the dead ends of his desire. Since we are talking about the passion for the game, then, as in the case of other kinds of activity, a metaphor of relationships, a novel, is appropriate here. In essence, solitary play allows the neurotic to experience the "natural" cycle of desire: meeting, charm, involvement and participation, sometimes disappointment or cooling off, parting, searching for a new object of passion. Despite the familiarity of such events, it is a serious problem for any neurotic to build his own way of accepting and describing the transition of desire from one object to another. Of course, I'm not talking here about hybrid forms of a single player game, such as monotonous battles (differing only in maps), sandboxes (open-ended games, i.e. games that are not limited by time, but have a goal) or endless games (there are no time limits, or goals).
In principle, not all single games emphasize that the experience of the game is precisely the experience of a loner, an individual. Arcades and other casual games, as well as a number of other games (simplified strategies, plotless quests, etc.) are usually depsychologized - motor skills and reactions, simple emotions and no need to create a personal relationship to what is happening in the game. In this sense, the single not only provides material for subjectivation, but also the conditions for leaving oneself and immersing oneself in the game without the participation of the individual. Apart from the casual social media hybrids, multiplayer games (strategy shooters, RPGs) are not meant to be serenely immersive. On the contrary, the main nerve of multiplayer is the constant threat that stimulates the player. MMOs are especially paranoid, in which there are no clearly defined time frames and a prescribed “friend or foe” system (for example, Rust or DayZ), although this is a matter not only of the game, but also of the psychology of gamers.
In general, with all the complaints about gamers who go headlong into gaming realities, one cannot deny the peculiar therapeutic effect of a single player campaign. The story of a hero who goes his own way, on the one hand, reconciles the player with the inevitability of disappointments and losses, and on the other hand, shows that his own life can be inscribed in a certain logic of meanings and goals.

My name is legion (or How attachment to a network game arises).

Online games take many different forms: some just copy board games or arcade games, others seek to create their own unique game world. In any case, multiplayer, especially massive multiplayer (MMO or MMOG) creates a situation of endless repetition without resolution. At the same time, gamers are forced to come up with their own ending and denouement in such conditions - for example, collecting all the achievements, exclusive gear, getting the highest level or recognizing others.
The lack of clarity in many online games, oddly enough, makes the "enticement" element more pronounced, and sometimes it comes to tricks and blackmail tricks. A striking example of coercion is grinding - the destruction of huge numbers of non-player characters (NPS, i.e. most often monsters) - vital for obtaining and pumping skills (skills), which is much less annoying in a single player. Due to the absence of a logical conclusion (well, perhaps with the exception of the first place among all possible users, which can easily lead a neurotic to depression), even cooling and parting here takes place in a slightly different form. If a gamer who has gone through a single-player campaign is prone to nostalgia and the search for something similar (by the way, this nostalgia is also used to get involved in multiplayer), then parting with a multiplayer game takes the form of one of the extremes - either this is a repressive forgetfulness, or, on the contrary, a radical struggle with the habit . Even the change from one MMOG to another often happens somehow too violently, as if a person breaks with one sect, and is simply obliged to anathematize it in order to move to another. Therefore, I personally had to hear regrets about the wasted time from multiplayer players much more often.

However, among the online games stand apart those games in which there is an attempt to bring their own meaning to the endless repetition. These are the cases when social interaction comes to the fore - i.e. clan game, complex cooperation of actions in accordance with a certain developed strategy. First of all, these are megalomania-prone MMO simulators (like Eve online) and MMO shooters (like Titanfall and Destiny). But most games, alas, are built on primitive tactics and only allow you to play the same thing, reducing communication to likes and dislikes. The same applies to the players: among them, an individualistic strategy is quite common, interpreting cooperation in the spirit of the "prisoner's dilemma". In other words, one of the problems with multiplayer is not that it imposes some form of collectivism, but rather that it lacks cooperation and group solidarity (I feel this well, because I like to be part of a group united by a goal or cause). For example, one of the recurring exclamations in any discussion of singleplayer versus multiplayer preference is: “To hell with multiplayer! I treat everyone and come to the rescue, but never me. Then go to X with your game.
It is worth noting the doubtfulness of the favorite argument of multiplayer players - they say, it's cool to play with a live person. Cool in this case includes a wide range of emotions: from joy to gloating, from interest in others to self-weariness, from love of complexity to the desire to evoke a lively reaction from others. Alas, in most cases these are virtual experiences in relation to an anonymous person, very convenient for getting exactly what you unconsciously fantasize about. This is communication with a mirror, not with real people. The only case similar to a contact is an acquaintance in a game with a continuation, including attempts to get to know a person better, incl. through the way you play. But even in this case, the player himself remains a hostage to his own virtual image. I have already noted that this is one of the keys to the formation of addiction to games.
Ultimately, if we compare the best examples of single player games with multiplayer games, we will see that they are on average equal in terms of quality and gameplay. They differ radically in who they are designed for, i. who exactly was represented by the creators in the place of the player. The best singles see the player as a versatile and demanding game lover, ready to repay sincere sympathy and passion for a great atmosphere and story. They have a lot of options and features, in addition, the creators often strive to make their product original, because. an excess of clichés (even the most successful ones) rarely leads to mass popularity. Including because many gamers are faithful to those who they fell in love with before. The player in the views of the creators of multiplayer is an abstract nobody with simple motives like “win everyone”. Such a player has no history and no special preferences. Interesting tricks (for example, "robbing cows") come from singles. Here, no one will refuse working clichés, and attempts to involve in the game are straightforward and stupid. In fact, there is no calculation for a lively interest, rather for a kind of addiction. I deliberately shoveled through dozens of multiplayers in search of at least some hint of the creators' idea that the user may turn out to be an aesthete, a lover of ethical dilemmas, or at least a nostalgic fan (of other games, comics, etc.). Nothing like that. Schizophrenic brilliance, minimal difference from competitors in this gaming segment and the need to often play for the sake of promotion (and / or donation) - that, it turns out, is all you need.

Computer games in a sense have always been a way of communication, but over time, a completely opposite image has emerged - the image of an escapist gamer who avoids real contact with life. The image, although exaggerated, to some extent reflects a whole layer of trends in the modern world. I repeat again that one of the trends is a significant benefit for capital and a number of states that you are alone. Games are part of the industry, forced to fight for a place in the sun. In the same way, single-player games and online games express shifts in the modern image of the subject in their own way. And, it seems to me, we cannot fully understand what exactly is happening today in this area. Marx once said that "The anatomy of man is the key to the anatomy of the monkey", in other words, only the developed form allows us to judge the intermediate steps to it. Today we can clearly see where video games have been going since the 70s, but what is happening now - the heyday, the next crisis, the emasculation or the paradigm shift - it is impossible to say with certainty. Personally, I proceed from the idea that computer games not only shape our desires, but also provide space for the reflection of these desires.

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