Shanahan “Bow”

This article shed light on the reasons why we participate in gaming rituals that have no impact on our life or even the game itself and how unfairness is necessary and a good thing. Shanahan comments on the concept of “bowing” in his game that doesn’t even technically have a “bow” option, noting that it is entirely arbitrary and contributes nothing to the game other than a sign of mutual respect. Not only is this seemingly meaningless ritual an act of communion, tying the two players to an understanding of a set of rules and conventions, but Shanahan also claims that bowing, especially to an aggressive player, is simply doing “the right thing, to show him I wasn’t going to come and meet him down on his level.” This bow is an acknowledgment of the “unfairness” of a game and how a player has to compensate for this in his own gameplay.

Shanahan discusses the concept of a game being “unfair” in a surprisingly positive light, akin to Juul’s argument of the Art of Failure. Both argue that seemingly negative concepts of games are the reasons why games are so stimulating and why we ultimately keep playing. Because games are unfair, because players can act randomly and attack you at will, you are able to have more dynamic gameplay and more opportunities for personal improvement. On a more metaphysical level, this inclusion of “badness” or rogue behavior allows the player to perform in opposition to the evil force, thereby validating his own moral compass. Shanahan does, of course, mention that you may chose to also indulge in “bad behavior” in games and that you will be able to effectively compete in a game this way, but asserts that, “by avoiding ‘bad’ behaviour you can demonstrate how ‘good’ you are. Virtuous.”

Shanahan seems to operate under the belief that the Magic Circle exists. He adheres to conventions by “bowing” but also acknowledges instances of badly behaving players who defy said conventions. Although this behavior is considered “bad” and “unfair,” allowing things like this in video games creates a more realistic, morally challenging environment where the player is forced to acknowledge rules in the game and his own personal set of rules by which he lives his life.