Playing The Role Of Dad, In Real Life And In Video Games

 Since the dawn of man, the role of the father of a family was often thought to be the most important role. Throughout generations families would be known for the deeds of the father, and they could either cast a positive light on the family's name, or a dark shadow. In video games, there are many examples of this. Players are often allowed to take on the role of a father figure, one that reflects the behaviours and roles of fathers in the real world.

Initial D: The Videogame

One example of a game that allows one to take on the role of "father figure" is Initial D: The Videogame. This is a game that was only released in Japan for the Playstation 3, and is modeled after the Japanese anime, Initial D. In the video game, the player takes part in the story by playing Takumi Fujiwara's father. The main game play (aside to walking around certain areas to talk to other characters) is street racing, and takes place in flashbacks that Takumi's father experiences. After learning from these flashbacks, you can decide how to advise Takumi, and how to tune up his car.

Second Life

A game that allows one to play as a father, or a different type of father than they are in real life, is in the game, Second Life. Second Life is an MMO type game (massively multilayer online) that doesn't really involve combat or fantasy quests, instead it focuses on the player getting to be someone else. Often in Second Life people meet up and become families. If a father wishes he was less stern with his children in real life, perhaps he can escape to this video game and throw a pizza party with his virtual children (even after they throw virtual ice-cream into a ceiling fan). It is a video game that allows fathers to be everything they wanted to be as a child, but perhaps became hindered with the burden of a family.

Akachan

There is even a video game that is specifically for fathers, and although a bit strange, it's purpose is to teach expecting fathers how to care for a baby. This is another Japanese game, and it was released in 2009 for the PC. It is called, Akachan, literally translating to "Baby." It is a first person game where you play as a father who has an expecting wife. In the beginning, the player is going through their work day at the office, and their wife comes for a visit. In the middle of the visit, her water breaks and the player must press the crouch button to kneel down on the ground with her, and select their cell phone to dial an ambulance because she is in too much pain to stand. Many situations like this occur, testing the player and preparing them for real-life scenarios. There is a virtual lobby in this game, where expecting fathers and current fathers can interact and discuss their role in the family.

Scribe

An indie game that stresses the importance of a father and other family members is estimated to be released in 2015 (according to a credited gaming website). It is the MMO, Scribe. This is a game that will take place in a fantasy realm, and the main objective is building a town with other, real, players that can strive and fend of Draco (dragon-like creatures). What will be unique about this game is that family is a main aspect. The player starts out as a child, either a son or daughter of two players that have already grown up. Once the player gets older and leaves their family they search for a mate and can have children. What is interesting about this game is that the family has to act as one unit and produce things that will benefit the tribe. If it is a successful MMO it will definitely be ground breaking.

As they say, art imitates nature, and we've seen this through video games. The importance of the role of father has always been present in story-based video games and although MMOs and RPGs continue to evolve the influential role of the father remains the same. It will be interesting to see how this family role is treated in future video games.

Author Bio:

Ian Teague has been playing video games before he can walk, and one of his main passions in life is writing about them. He also writes fictional short stories, writes for Wildstarengineer.com, and has been published in five fiction magazines.