Community Stops the Pain

Things have been quiet on the Gaming is Wonderful front for some time but this week I had three people approach me. With the uncertainty and tension in the world, these people felt that it was time to share their stories. Today we deal with discrimination and empowerment. I hope you are inspired as much as I was by this story from a member of the gaming community. 

I don't really know where to start having never written anything like this before. I don't really do virtual photography I just play games, but I like looking at it and wanted to share my story. I want all of you VPs to know what you do is awesome and that you should keep going. People like me like the added content in your posts. It isn't respected enough as an art form or hobby. 

 My life has been alright really for the most part. I am lucky I have a very understanding Mom and Aunt who have always loved me no matter what. They encouraged me and allowed me to feel comfortable with who I am and what I have grown to become. 

I play this with my friends most!

At a very early age I knew I was gay.  I didn't hang with the girls, play with dolls and I wasn't into pink so you can remove those stereotypes, like no one would have known. I fit in with the crowd at school but always wanted to be with a guy. I had a few "girlfriends", but they knew the deal. They were close friends that pretended to be with me to make life easier. The thing was my sexual preference was never a big deal, as to all the guys I was just another guy, I was popular and I managed to have quiet relationships on and off growing up. Once I became more confident I was able to be more open and proud. The people at my new work know I am gay as does my family. I am proud and all is well on that front. Regretfully abuse does happen, especially at night but I can deal. Not that we should have to...

The thing that was hard and proved to be a challenge in my school was being black. Being black was tough in a predominantly white and racist neighbourhood. I thought this would be over when I grew up and moved on in life, but then I started to face hate in my hobby. During online gaming I am regularly targeted by racism, on forums and on live chat on my headset. Often people will throw around racial slurs, most of the time its kids and that is what bothers me the most. Kids should be educated better.  It is clear from spending time online, go to any huge forum or Youtube and you'll see some form of racist abuse. 

Beats the hell out of Fortnite.

I won't lie I am no shy lamb, but some of these comments reduced me to tears, made me question my life and the world around me. Thankfully the online communities I ended up being a part of were very diverse and accepting. They saved me, made me see that actually nice and decent people exist. 

It is this social gaming that gives me strength most days and leads me to be more confident in life. The community stops the pain. I can be black, gay and proud and maybe one day the world will be more accepting and wake up.

I am a person, I have a heart and soul. Judge me on my deeds not on my race, gender, sexual preference or my appearance. 

Gaming is Wonderful: Fiction Allows Me to Escape

Today we have another Gaming is Wonderful post by a private Instagram account. Very much in the shadows this user keeps in the background and is happier there, something that I imagine most of us can relate to at one time or another. As usual it is a humbling read that made me appreciate what I have in life, hopefully it will do the same to you. 

It isn't often that I wish to share things about myself. But the Gaming is Wonderful section of this blog really inspired me. I felt like I could relate to every post. I am pretty insignificant both in life and online. I try to stick to the shadows and lack a lot of self confidence. Part of me wishes I could be more but I know that it wouldn't work out. 

Far Cry 5 by VPVibrancy

When I am not working I spend my days writing fan fiction and living out my life in video games. I'm not a child anymore but I still live at home as a part-time carer to my mother. Life is hard and with no other support we make do. In my country disability allowance is pretty much non-existent and we really have to work hard to survive. Due to this I don't have a decent PC or a PS4 Pro or Xbox X, I make do with a lesser new gen console. 

Control by VPVibrancy

Gaming is what allows me to disconnect, I write online fan fics about the games and TV shows that I am into and am pretty active on Tumblr and a few other sites with that content. Without these escapes I would crumble. I love my mother but at times the attachment and dependency makes me want to drown myself. I often feel like I am drowning in life. I have no goals or end game beyond the present, we have to take each day as it comes. 

Skyrim by VPVibrancy

The glowing and positive nature of the virtual photography community really inspires me. I am hoping eventually I can afford something that takes better shots and enjoy some newer games. Money is tight so I rely on thrift-store purchases and hand me downs from friends. But until then I shall continue to post my videos and pictures and continue to appreciate the pictures of others. 

Elite Dangerous by by VPVibrancy

I chose VPVibrancy's work as I feel that what she is doing here is a gift to us. I wasn't even following her until recently. I feel Asha deserves some credit for her efforts. 

Assassin's Creed Origins by VPVibrancy

Gaming is Wonderful: Pikachu Saved my Life

The third Gaming is Wonderful post tells the story of how someone managed to use gaming to cope with the harsh turns life takes, isolation and self hate. Sometimes all someone needs is someone to talk, someone to listen. Think of those close to you, especially now most of us are in self isolation. Is there anyone you could be giving a phone call to? Your voice could benefit more than you know. Reach out, who knows what your simple conversation could do for someone.

Throughout this article the anonymous writer chose Stellaosityvp's work to be featured. I hope their words inspire you. Despite how dark life may seem, there is always light eventually at the end of the road. Stay safe x

Pokemon Yellow did indeed save my life. That’s a statement that I seldom think about but it’s true. At the time I was going through big life changes. I didn’t even really know what gaming was. Of course I knew what it was but I’d never done it. 

Control and Horizon Zero Dawn by Stellaosityvp

Through this time I was having severe identity issues. Having no family and no one to turn to I took to drink and temporary companionship as an escape. It was a brutal time. Time just wasn’t a thing anymore, the days blended together through insomnia and sleep. I’d get violent often with my roommate, as well as many others and eventually ended up in hospital having attacked someone and made an attempt on my life.

Horizon Zero Dawn by Stellaosityvp

It was at this time I was introduced to Pokémon. Under a form of house arrest I was trapped in my room for two weeks with little to do. My roommate gave me his (Nintendo) DS and Pokemon Yellow to play. I must have played that game at least 12 times from start to finish. People offered me more games, but I wasn’t interested. For me the chubby Pikachu was the only thing keeping me alive and sane.

 Horizon Zero Dawn and Assassin's Creed Odyssey by Stellaosityvp

As the weeks bled into months I eventually was social again. I quit the excessive drinking, stopped being so self destructive and managed to get a job. During this development I inherited more consoles and got into gaming more and more, to the point where I had a whole host of games and something of every genre.

Horizon Zero Dawn by Stellaosityvp

It kept me out of trouble and distracted me from many harsh realities until I was ready to deal with them. Now being a part of the virtual photography community fills me with an even greater joy. I feel I am no longer an island on my own, but a thriving individual that has a lot in common with others. It’s inspiring to be around so many like minded people and I hope that such inspiration never stops coming. So a big thank you to all of you out there!

Throughout the article I requested to have Stellaosityvp's work, as it always fills me with joy.

Gaming is Wonderful: Online Gaming Saved Me

Many of us in the modern day world struggle to find a purpose in life. With social media and news streams in our face most of our waking moments, it is hard to switch off. Many of us get lost and feel displaced in a society as we gradually feel less and less connected to the world around us. For some this is just an annoyance, perhaps a frequent disappointment and mild pain. For others it can lead to much darker roads, end in perpetual torment and even death.

The media is full of such stories, but as always it lacks the positive. Now, especially with all the social distancing measures going into place, it is important to reflect on the positive. Here is a gamer's story on how online gaming allowed them to cope in their times of hardship.

May it enlighten you and hopefully inspire you to focus on the good that you have going on in your own life, no matter how small it may seem.

Throughout the article the writer chose Luna.vp as their inspiration within the virtual photographer community. 

Most of my social life at school went from good to downhill as time went on. Too many turned away from me and only thought that my presence was never worth their time and effort. I figured that I needed to find something to make me happy at least just a little bit. I then discovered Video Games. All the homework, assignments and projects that needed to be worked on were always thoroughly done and completed at my earliest convenience, just so I could get to gaming. The good grades were a good thing, but when I was relaxed and gaming, that was truly me feeling okay emotionally. This was true even during my school days that always deterred me from wanting anymore social contact. The digital world behind the screen was there for me, always.

Horizon Zero Dawn by Luna.vp

Eventually, I randomly ventured into Instagram after graduating in 2016. An Xbox One was gifted to me by my Mother. I didn't expect much, I assumed I'd be doomed with no friends, but I did find a player as I played Call Of Duty: Black Ops 3 and we have remained in touch to this day. Some time after there was a new announcement for a game. It was a game changer in the online world. This caught my attention greatly. I can't remember how I stumbled upon the community following the game, but I ended up making more and more friends throughout my time in that community. I was finally experiencing what I missed out on for many years: friendships

Horizon Zero Dawn by Luna.vp

To be honest, video games saved my life. Even though I've still lost many online friends since 2017, I don't feel lonely. I'll never drop gaming, ever. Like I said... it saved me from what I could have gotten myself into and eased my depression and loneliness, which could have led me down a very dark path. Video games are indeed magical. The adventures you can embark on, the visuals you can enjoy. The friends you can meet through it all.

Red Dead Redemption 2 by Luna.vp

Feelings of happiness and contentment is what these digital worlds have given me and I am grateful for that.

Horizon Zero Dawn by Luna.vp

Gaming is Wonderful: Animals Bring Me Peace

It is important to remember that all pain is relative, what could seem trivial to one could seem like the end of the world to another. Life can be beautiful but there is no illusion that it is brutal and hard for everyone on and off throughout our lives. 

You are in charge of your own journey. Try not to sit back and blame others for the hand you have been dealt, just make the most of the nice things you have and strive to rise above the unpleasantness. 

Inspired by the overwhelming reaction to my Hellblade post I decided to share peoples stories of how gaming has helped them. Gaming is indeed a wonderful thing, I know from having talked to many on Instagram it has got us through difficult times and also saved some of our lives (mine included). 

Today I present the first, in what I hope to be many stories of how someone has persevered through hardships by gaming.

All posts are anonymous to protect the well-being of those involved and I get each person to choose some virtual photographers work to be featured. Meaning that the photography on the page is never going to be by the person that wrote the article.

I grew up in a fairly unpleasant environment. As a child there wasn’t much going for me. Home was rough, school was better but still not great and most of the time I just wandered through life like an empty shell. 

Red Dead Redemption 2 by by Immortalissol

In my early teens I was pushed into various toxic and abusive situations, ended up on drugs and at the time my only solace came from the cat that happened to share the house with me. Times were dark then. As soon as I could earn enough I became independent. I lived in a one room set up for a few years saving money. Eventually I managed to earn enough to escape my situation and moved as far away as I could from my past. 

Two shots from Far Cry 5 by She.loves.the.seeds

Getting a PC, I delved into the world of online gaming (World of Warcraft mainly as one of my co-workers played it). The months went by and even though the escaped helped, it was just an escape. The cartoony characters were pretty but I needed something more concrete to invest in. That is when I delved into solo gaming. Dragon Age and the Elder Scrolls series really pulled me out of my darkness. Gone were my days of doing pointless raids for coin and gear, instead I was living an adventure of my own away from all the hardcore players, drama and time wasting. 

Inevitably I ventured into consoles as my PC gave up the ghost and died on me. My main escape was gone and I needed a quick fix. I bought a console and from there it became a more expansive journey. I’ve tried my hand at a variety of games but of late have less and less time to play due to promotions at work. I joined the VP community some time back. I’m far from social and due to the events that led to this point, I can’t be near or get on with most people. Instead I find myself doing my own thing.

Horizon Zero Dawn by Immortalissol

Animals have always brought me comfort and peace. I don’t post enough on my page, but Immortalissol and She loves the Seeds I find often give me more than the fix I need. They inspired me to invest more into gaming and that is why I chose their art to be featured here. It means so much to me that they agreed to it.  I don’t post as often as I should but I embrace the escapism when I need to. In truth for most people my Instagram profile is so small and insignificant most people wouldn’t even know who I am. Yet that doesn’t matter to me. 

My message for everyone out there is don’t feel that you need to be “popular” or play the trends. It shouldn’t be what virtual photography is about. Take shots of what make you happy and learn to love you for who you are. If I can get through what I have in life and endure, I am pretty sure those of you in hardship can too. Just strive ahead and embrace what you enjoy.