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Warning: Some spoilers of Tales of Symphonia and Final Fantasy X
I remember being asked in elementary school "An old person and a young person are stranded in a desert. They find a well with only enough water for one person. Who should get the water?" Now, as a high school student who loves videogames, I might think of the question differently. "An old person and a young person are gravely injured after battle and there is only one healing item left. Who should get the potion?" Many people play videogames for fun and to relieve stress. While these are two of my motivations, there are other reasons as well. I find some games enriching for my soul. As well as being entertainment devices, videogames are an art form that can convey deeper meaning.
Final Fantasy X and Tales of Symphonia, two role-playing games, deal with a potent issue that affects gamers and non-gamers alike: diversity. In Final Fantasy X, the Al Bhed race is persecuted for questioning the ways of Yevon, the primary religious order. One of the main characters is very prejudiced towards the Al Bhed. As he travels with an Al Bhed girl, he is exposed to her viewpoints and gradually loses his racist thoughts. In Tales of Symphonia, half elves (half human and half elf) are persecuted almost everywhere because the evil Desians are also half elves. In Tethe'alla the punishment for any crime committed by a half elf is death. By being patient with people, the two half elf main characters are able to change people's opinions of them. By teaching acceptance, videogames can have a positive effect on racial relations.
One of the biggest problems with young people, the main demographic of video game players, is their frequent inability to think for themselves. Many teenagers begin dangerous activities because their friends are doing them too. In Final Fantasy X, almost everyone follows the will of Yevon's Maesters or religious leaders. Even though their decrees often do not make sense, the masses obey without thinking. In Tales of Symphonia, the main character Lloyd is faced with the question of which of the two worlds to save. Instead of following popular thinking that this is the only way, Lloyd thinks for himself. Despite being criticized as an idealist who will not succeed, Lloyd does his best to save both worlds. Both Final Fantasy X and Tales of Symphonia give gamers the message that they should make their own way in the world and not just follow the crowd.
Many role-playing games like Final Fantasy X and Tales of Symphonia weave strong moral fiber into their fabrics of fantasy and adventure. These games prove that electronic entertainment can tackle powerful issues such as sacrifice, diversity and thinking for oneself. By teaching morals to young people, videogames are preparing the next generation of adults to be critical thinking, open-minded people. If there were more videogames like Final Fantasy X and Tales of Symphonia, and more people played them, the world's next "level" might be one of peace.
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