Sometimes, it can feel like we are losing control of our own mind, or similarly, that some terrifyingly vital part of reality that makes it all work is just…missing.


Not seen here: a terrifyingly vital part of reality missing: I.E. safety

Which is why today’s words of wisdom are Sharing in “The Lack”, which is related to a philosophical postulate I developed awhile back that I referred to as the Absent Rain Theorem, or A.R.T for short. A.R.T explored the concept inspired by a rainy bike ride, and my realization regarding how little it seemed to be raining, leading me to notice that the lack of rain drops present made the ones that were surrounding me not seem so dampening as a result. I applied the notion to game design, in helping to deconstruct what made titles work based on what they lacked rather than what they had, my first example of which was the Resident Evil 3 Remake, and it helped a ton in framing my thinking.

Continuing with the concept, while also borrowing and subsequently infusing another recent Words of Wisdom with my “framework thinking” notion into the mix, I utilize A.R.T once again, in my reference point to tackling Gex 1 recently, in my various articles analyzing everything at play, and in the case of my utilization of A.R.T, what is not in play, in making Gex 1 the game it ended up being.

With all that said, these ideas help feed into the notion of “Sharing in “The Lack”, as it is a perfectly paradoxical praxis that shines light on exactly what this shared lack is, when citing my contrast of Gex 1’s difficulty to Mario 2’s Lost Levels or Sonic 1’s Marble Zone in a more specific example, as they all share in “the lack” that makes them so temperamental. They all differ in minor ways of course, but one shared lack they possess is their lack of cooperative aid in making the players life any easier than they have to. The difficulties involving the games in question were unwavering in having an unflinching expectation of the player moment to moment, and doing very little within the realm of soft guidance in helping them reach their goal. A measurable amount of tough love and sangfroid sensibilities put forth by all held accountable, and a relentless unwillingness to bend to player needs in moments of great intensity being the kind of “lack” the titles in question all share in.

Like most of my words of wisdom, it works in multiple ways, and effective in ways not initially considered. This notion could be used beyond just picking apart games, a wisdom that can help make sense of a lot of life in many ways. Next time you find yourself pondering about some aspect of reality, just take a moment to try and observe not what is there, but what is not present, to help you find the greater truth of the matter. You may find whatever you are considering “shares in “the lack” with something else you may be familiar with, and this may lead you to new insights related to reality you didn’t even know you were looking for.

As always, take care of yourself, and others.

~Pashford