Noah Geffert
May 1st, 2016
Critical Discourse of Video Games
An Instrument of Troubles
It is undeniably true that the current era of society has become extraordinarily ignorant to
the difficulties of the world. Whether it be physical complications such as global warming and
climate control, cultural obstacles like greed and corruption, or social problems such as
depression and hatred, it is widely known that the current era of civilization lacks the ingenuity
to recognize the troubles that are ever present. However, do to newfound ways of learning and
analyzing literature, crucial lessons are beginning to display themselves through the words of
present day authors who specialize in video games. These authors do not use their literary works
to grasp onto their pleasant memories of their earlier lives, but rather, they use their writings to
provide a medium of understanding for readers by presenting their own moving opinions that
help illuminate and engage into real world problems that are affecting today’s culture.
In Brian Oliu’s essay Rampage, he expresses the actions of what is thought to be a
monster-like creature through a first-person point of view as he is storming through the streets
causing destruction and death at every opportunity. To some, this story can simply be understood
as Oliu reminiscing back to his youth days of playing his destruction based video game called
Rampage, but, I believe his work has a much deeper meaning. In my opinion, Oliu provides a
hidden idea and message through the interpretation of the devastating bombings of 9/11, which
helps to display the well known problem of over-thinking a terrible memory, and how the regrets
can truly take over the livelihood of an individual. Oliu expressed this idea an interview as he
said, “this piece of work [Rampage] was all about the concept of what if?” (Oliu, Interview). I
believe that Oliu holds on to this idea, and expresses it in his writing to show that becoming
trapped in past events will only lead to an interruption in one’s present life. Oliu further
expresses this idea in his essay, Rampage, as he says, “I used to fit inside of these buildings: I
used to run my hands against the walls. I used to walk down the hallways with every door open,
men in suits and women in red dresses wondering if there were reasons those they loved would
be in a city they loved” (Oliu, 87). This passage may present itself from a video game point of
view, however, I conclude that Oliu is setting the scene for his idea of the problems that come
with reminiscing on the past. Oliu further illuminates his point as he forms a figurative analogy
between holding on to dead bodies of civilians from the 9/11 attacks, and holding on to past
experiences. Oliu says, “If I could, I would make a fist around their bodies. I would put them in
my mouth to keep them warm” (Oliu, 87). This descriptive metaphor helps illustrate Oliu’s
