What are we running away from? A perspective on games and escapism

Abstract

Like other forms of entertainment media before them, digital games are often viewed as escapist activities by virtue of their engaging nature. This paper argues against the idea that games are inherently escapist by examining more closely the nature of our engagement with games on the cognitive and emotional levels. The paper then considers the nature of escapism and its relationship to reality and ends with a renewed view on digital games and escapism that takes into account their distinctive qualities and their role in everyday life.