Ramadan And Gaming
So Ramadan is in full swing again this year. As most readers know, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the Islamic calender. Muslims who observe the month are required to fast from before sunrise to sunset, avoiding food and drink as well as adhering to some other restrictions. While most of the world focuses on the lack of food, what people don't know is that Ramadan is also time to fast your eyes and ears as well. It's a month of reflection on oneself as much as it is a month of intense religious worship. In my personal opinion, I view Ramadan as a cleanse. We take all the bad habits and try to break them or, better yet, turn them into good ones.
But one thing that kinda popped into my head these past couple of weeks is how much Ramadan can be played like a game. It sounds a bit blasphemous but just hear me out.
Let's take a typical Japanese Role Playing Game (JRPG), for example. You have your characters, your quests and, more importantly, the battles. Usually every JRPG has a hero start off on a certain journey. They usually have to become stronger in order to overcome certain hurdles in the game and they ultimately have to finish the main quest. JRPGs usually follow a level up system where after every battle you earn experience. When enough experience has been acquired, your characters level up and their stats (attack, magic, defense, etc) increase. Most JRPGs are filled with side quests that deviate from the main story-line but usually reward the player with helpful items or extra experience upon completion. Usually characters in JRPGs will learn skills or new attacks after leveling up enough.
Though the story is extremely important in a successful JRPG, the player will most likely be fighting bad guys the whole time in turned (or semi-turn) based battles. Battles typically take place in an closed off environment that has its own set of rules. These rules obviously help to constrict movement and help the player focus on fighting the monster/baddie at hand. Battle environments are where your skills and stats come to play.
Let's move over to what Ramadan consists of. The month of Ramadan is usually about 29-30 days. You could say that Ramadan is set up in phases. Phase 1 is the first ten days, they usually are the acclimation days. Your body gets used to the change in routine and the lack of food and water throughout the day. You might fumble at times, but you get used to the rules. The next ten days are filler, in a sense. You're used to fasting, so you are able to do normal regular stuff without much interruption. Judging from my own personal experience, you actually feel stronger and more energetic when you get to this point. The last ten days are the most important. In Islam, the last ten days of Ramadan are the most important days of the entire year. There is a lot of spiritual development and your physical self is actually challenged between fasting all day and staying up all night in worship. You have to use all the skills and characteristics you picked up during the entire month in order to get the most out of Ramadan. And at the end, when Ramadan is over, Muslims hold festivities to celebrate the spiritual journey they had experienced. Gifts are given and parties are thrown.
And another unique nightly event during Ramadan is Taraweh (Night Prayers). Shortly after the fast is broken, people have the option to go to their local mosque and perform prayers for a couple of hours. It's completely optional, but the spiritual benefits are said to be of significance. It's always a good idea to attend these whenever possible.
So from what I set up, it seems like Ramadan really is a spiritual JRPG adventure. You embark on a journey for spiritual empowerment. Your ultimate goal is just to be closer to God and maintain that consciousness. Your experience points are constantly accruing as you fast throughout the day. Every time you come in contact with food or meet someone who tests your patience, it's a random battle. After enough days, you gain skills and characteristics that will aid you in your quest. Many people become much more patient and tolerant. for example. Or people could get rid of terrible addictions that have plagued for years. We can also view night prayers as side quests that give extra experience to help further strengthen the player. And you can consider the last ten days of Ramadan as an elongated boss battle. Your mettle and determination is being tested. Since it's the end of the game, why not go all out and use everything you can finish the beast?
And once the last night is over, there is this bittersweet sense of joy that rings throughout the community. Parties will be held and gifts will be given as the metaphoric credits roll. But just like how most main characters look out into the sunset as the publishers name takes over the screen, there is a sense of longing. Will we live to see another adventure? Have we done all we can this time around to know that we will achieve some sort of inner peace? We probably haven't. And on the day of Eid Al-Fitr (The Muslim holiday after the end of Ramadan), we'll reflect on that journey and how much good it has brought us. And from that day forward, we'll pray to God that we may go on that quest one more time.
Anyways, just a few thoughts. I hope no one who reads this takes offense. For those who are fasting, keep up the good work! And for those who aren't, try it out. It's a really enlightening experience that I'd recommend to everyone.
Peace.
But one thing that kinda popped into my head these past couple of weeks is how much Ramadan can be played like a game. It sounds a bit blasphemous but just hear me out.
Let's take a typical Japanese Role Playing Game (JRPG), for example. You have your characters, your quests and, more importantly, the battles. Usually every JRPG has a hero start off on a certain journey. They usually have to become stronger in order to overcome certain hurdles in the game and they ultimately have to finish the main quest. JRPGs usually follow a level up system where after every battle you earn experience. When enough experience has been acquired, your characters level up and their stats (attack, magic, defense, etc) increase. Most JRPGs are filled with side quests that deviate from the main story-line but usually reward the player with helpful items or extra experience upon completion. Usually characters in JRPGs will learn skills or new attacks after leveling up enough.
Though the story is extremely important in a successful JRPG, the player will most likely be fighting bad guys the whole time in turned (or semi-turn) based battles. Battles typically take place in an closed off environment that has its own set of rules. These rules obviously help to constrict movement and help the player focus on fighting the monster/baddie at hand. Battle environments are where your skills and stats come to play.
Let's move over to what Ramadan consists of. The month of Ramadan is usually about 29-30 days. You could say that Ramadan is set up in phases. Phase 1 is the first ten days, they usually are the acclimation days. Your body gets used to the change in routine and the lack of food and water throughout the day. You might fumble at times, but you get used to the rules. The next ten days are filler, in a sense. You're used to fasting, so you are able to do normal regular stuff without much interruption. Judging from my own personal experience, you actually feel stronger and more energetic when you get to this point. The last ten days are the most important. In Islam, the last ten days of Ramadan are the most important days of the entire year. There is a lot of spiritual development and your physical self is actually challenged between fasting all day and staying up all night in worship. You have to use all the skills and characteristics you picked up during the entire month in order to get the most out of Ramadan. And at the end, when Ramadan is over, Muslims hold festivities to celebrate the spiritual journey they had experienced. Gifts are given and parties are thrown.
And another unique nightly event during Ramadan is Taraweh (Night Prayers). Shortly after the fast is broken, people have the option to go to their local mosque and perform prayers for a couple of hours. It's completely optional, but the spiritual benefits are said to be of significance. It's always a good idea to attend these whenever possible.
So from what I set up, it seems like Ramadan really is a spiritual JRPG adventure. You embark on a journey for spiritual empowerment. Your ultimate goal is just to be closer to God and maintain that consciousness. Your experience points are constantly accruing as you fast throughout the day. Every time you come in contact with food or meet someone who tests your patience, it's a random battle. After enough days, you gain skills and characteristics that will aid you in your quest. Many people become much more patient and tolerant. for example. Or people could get rid of terrible addictions that have plagued for years. We can also view night prayers as side quests that give extra experience to help further strengthen the player. And you can consider the last ten days of Ramadan as an elongated boss battle. Your mettle and determination is being tested. Since it's the end of the game, why not go all out and use everything you can finish the beast?
And once the last night is over, there is this bittersweet sense of joy that rings throughout the community. Parties will be held and gifts will be given as the metaphoric credits roll. But just like how most main characters look out into the sunset as the publishers name takes over the screen, there is a sense of longing. Will we live to see another adventure? Have we done all we can this time around to know that we will achieve some sort of inner peace? We probably haven't. And on the day of Eid Al-Fitr (The Muslim holiday after the end of Ramadan), we'll reflect on that journey and how much good it has brought us. And from that day forward, we'll pray to God that we may go on that quest one more time.
Anyways, just a few thoughts. I hope no one who reads this takes offense. For those who are fasting, keep up the good work! And for those who aren't, try it out. It's a really enlightening experience that I'd recommend to everyone.
Peace.
Comments
Post a Comment