Stone Philosophy

[Rodger]

Ok, so here I would like to address a broad topic but I am going to need help from those of you who stumble across this thread. What does this game mean? What does it mean to be a character, and where does character come from? Our views may differ, such is life. My experience with this game has been something of a unique experience, after having taken a break from the gaming scene for a number of years I was intrigued to return in a hope that I might succeed; yet I have learned that I am playing a game at which I cannot succeed, it is a game where I do not make the rules, and where often times what I think or what I say falls on deaf ears, now if this disability is my own…please forgive me. So I have come here, after a long journey in search of my friends, only to have found a ruthless spirit. One that walked all over what I thought was life. Now I read one time, when you enter a game such as this; that it will not be whether or not you win or lose…it will be the choices you make that define you and it is up to you to make them. When I was young I had not realized this, I caused trouble sure, and I suffered the consequences, yet the effect found me in life, and I walked away with a lesson. So I ask you this “What will your lesson be?”

Today, I refuse. Not because I am right or wrong, or that my choice is any better than the next fellow. I refuse because it is my responsibility to do so. What might you ask, am I going to refuse? Well I will tell you this… I will certainly refuse to devalue the strength of my character. Because what you see here is no easy feat. What is this story of mine…and why could it matter? I am a student of this game, I am a student of leadership, I am soul of integrity and there is no room for a silly stone among my toothy rocks. Hark you shadows!

To the point then, If a wayward wander your path, unfamiliar the game to him…what would you say? What would you say should this fellow take a turn hither or yond? And who are you to base your judgment….for that right lie with the twelve alone. What do you consider a choice, and too what length would you go to see it’s end?

[Rongway]

I don't know what you're on about, but please don't post entire speeches in small font. This was a pain to read.

[Rodger]

My bad, I though it might look nice. Just asking questions.

[CorbinDallas]

What?

/10char

[Vidu]

Despite the unpleasent font most of your "questions" seem like pseudo-deep, pretentious nonsense to me, but sure, I'll play...

Ok, so here I would like to address a broad topic but I am going to need help from those of you who stumble across this thread. What does this game mean?

This game means nothing - or rather: It serves no deeper meaning or cause or agenda. It is mainly an entertainment product with no deeper meaning beyond the goal to entertain people.
That isnt to say that the game cant have a deeper personal meaning (like staying connected to friends living abroad, or making new connections) or that the story the game tells you isnt deep at times (whole other discussion though), but at the end of the day all the game means and offers is to entertain the players.

What does it mean to be a character, and where does character come from?

Ähm... what now? As far as the background of your character goes, you're completly free to come up with one - or dont. As far as the story is concerned your character came from "somewhere" and goes on to become the Warrior or Light.

This sounds like a pseudo-philosophical question again that might better be answered outside of the lore forum (which discusses the lore of this game). I dont even understand what you're asking here - do you know what it means to be a character in a general, philosopical sense? (I'm sure you can find actual literature on this topic instead of asking in a games forum) Or what it means to someone on a personal level to play as their character within the game?

My experience with this game has been something of a unique experience, after having taken a break from the gaming scene for a number of years I was intrigued to return in a hope that I might succeed; yet I have learned that I am playing a game at which I cannot succeed, it is a game where I do not make the rules, and where often times what I think or what I say falls on deaf ears, now if this disability is my own…please forgive me. So I have come here, after a long journey in search of my friends, only to have found a ruthless spirit. One that walked all over what I thought was life. Now I read one time, when you enter a game such as this; that it will not be whether or not you win or lose…it will be the choices you make that define you and it is up to you to make them. When I was young I had not realized this, I caused trouble sure, and I suffered the consequences, yet the effect found me in life, and I walked away with a lesson. So I ask you this “What will your lesson be?”

Again, mostly pseudo-deep gibberish to me. Unless you set up a game yourself, you'll never make the rules - and obviously you can always suceed within the rules a certain game has set.
If you defeat a dungeon-boss by using your skills, you've suceed at (this part of) the game. At it currently stands you cant "win" the game, because its still on going - which to me is part of the beauty of an MMO: The game doesnt end.
If you want to make the rules of the game you're playing, you need to create the game yourself - to use your words: Such is life.

I am unsure what those friends are you're refering to - are you simply looking for people to enjoy the game with, are you missing company? Or are you looking for friends in the sense of other people who are upset that the rules of the game are set by the devs and their feedback not considered?

Today, I refuse. Not because I am right or wrong, or that my choice is any better than the next fellow. I refuse because it is my responsibility to do so. What might you ask, am I going to refuse? Well I will tell you this… I will certainly refuse to devalue the strength of my character. Because what you see here is no easy feat. What is this story of mine…and why could it matter? I am a student of this game, I am a student of leadership, I am soul of integrity and there is no room for a silly stone among my toothy rocks. Hark you shadows!

???
What are you even on about at this point? What do you even wish to discuss? Non of this makes any sense to me.
Why are you asking the forum what the game could mean to YOu and why it could matter to you? Those are questions you need to answer for yourself - if you want to hear why the game matters to other people... maybe ask THAT?

To the point then, If a wayward wander your path, unfamiliar the game to him…what would you say? What would you say should this fellow take a turn hither or yond? And who are you to base your judgment….for that right lie with the twelve alone. What do you consider a choice, and too what length would you go to see it’s end?

I'd say this "wayward wanderer" made the poor choice of chosing an unreadable fond and over the top flowery language to fill their post with words and questions that have no meaning, but sound philosophical for the sake of appearing deep and meaningful - when they are not. If this fellow wandered wishes to discussion questions like "What does this game mean to you?, "Why do you keep playing it?, "How does one suceed at the game and is it even possible?", "What does your character mean to you and does your character have a background story?", they should make those questions clear - instead of hidding them under a lot of unnecessary pathos.

You, OP, seem to speak english well enough to write and phrase your sentences and questions in such a way that their meaning wouldnt get completly lost. Cut out weird metaphors and aks yourself what you actually want to discuss. And keep in mind that for most people this game is just that: a game. Something to play (with friends) in the evening, some way maybe to escape reality for a while or just something to entertain you after work. While you can certainly discuss philosophical or ethical questions within the game - either in regards to social interactions or about the story/lore of the game - it ends up being a game, not a lecture on metaphysics.

You'll find plenty of people willing to discuss a variety of topics - but you should make it clear what you wish to discuss (and actually if you want to discuss anything at all... your post read like some weird roleplaying thing - if that was your attention, may I redirect you to the blog-function on the lodestone?) and cut any meaningless phrases... dont try to appear to be more intellectual and philosophical than you really need to be.

[HyoMinPark]

Are we actually pondering our reason for existence in a video game? Or did I just completely misread what the OP is saying.

I’m lost.

[Hysterior]

Where does character come from?

From the character creation.
Yes. Yes. But perhaps..?

[Lacan]

If I could I'd post that thinking emoji, you know the one with the little finger on the chin.

[Rodger]

Ok, now I intended a fairly rhetorical question and I was curious to see what might be said. Thank you for taking the time to respond. And honestly a part of me wanted to avoid serious discussion but I think there are important things to bring to awareness. If I may, I will explain my thinking.

The primary questions of this game as it pertains to character are primarily about the relationship between player and character. Growing up I was told that “character is what you do when nobody is watching,” and I think in the context of an RPG there is a good deal of discretion in that the experience is a main facet of the game to the player, yet an outside audience may not be aware of the depth. In that light the allotted freedoms are what the player chooses them to be. The act based in choice is what defines your character and progresses to mold your sense of self as a player. In my opinion it Is important to recognize this when considering the mechanisms of the game and how they change your character or experience. Some examples of this are things like the “soul-stone”, the “Book of Khloe” and the purchase of completed Jobs and Main Story ark and even the purchase if in-game currency.

To preserve an uncompromised character I think it is important to be able to say no, and not lose sight of what you value as a gamer in an overwhelmingly large MMO, because let’s face the facts it a clear business to push content. I think this game dose a pretty good job of making that an interesting endeavor to say the least but the concept is the same and in a lot of ways old fashioned. At some point, one must ask themselves some critical questions about its extended influence.

[ChaoticCrimson]

If I could I'd post that thinking emoji, you know the one with the little finger on the chin.

Something akin to this, perhaps?