Will Wright Dream Machine Summary

Analysis of Will Wright’s “Dream Machines”
“Most reported effects of videogames – particularly in the popular press – appear to centre upon the alleged negative consequences… Research has consistently shown that playing computer games (irrespective of genre) produces reductions in reaction times, improved hand-eye co-ordination and raises players’ self-esteem,” (Griffiths p. 47), states Mark Griffiths in his article, “The educational benefits of videogames”. When people think of video games, they often tend to think about the negative side effects that video games can have on a person. Will Wright in his article, “Dream Machines” also defends video games by providing positive effects that video games have on those who play them. Wright presents

many positive effects of playing video games, he uses comparisons, his knowledge of video games, and his language to convey his message and convince his audience that video games are not as bad a society makes them out to be.

Summary
In his article “Dream Machines,” Will Wright, a video game designer who was a co-founder of Maxis, explains that video games have positive effects on those that play them. Some of the positive effects of video games are: creativity, community, self-esteem, and problem-solving. Video games encourage the players to customize the look and feel of the games that they play. Many other people play the same video games and they are able to talk and play with each other, allowing them to socialize with other people. Video games allow the players to learn by trial and error, it gives them the ability to try things out to see what will work and what will not. Computers are an extension of the brains of those who use them and can help people enhance skills that they already have. Video games can have a positive influence on the lives of those who play them in a way that no other media can have.
Logos
Wright examines many different reasons as to why his claim that video games can have positive effects on those who play them. He uses many tools to convince people that video games are good, by comparing his points to things everyone understands.
Later in his article he explains one of his points by comparing his point to something that everyone can relate to. He is trying to prove that watching someone play video games is drastically different than playing video games. “Imagine that all you knew about movies was gleaned through observing the audience in a theatre – but that you had never watched a film. You would conclude that movies induce lethargy and junk-food binges” (p. 566). By comparing his point to something everyone knows and in such a way that everyone can understand, he puts the reader in the point of view of the people who play games. He states that while what they say “may be true, but [they’re] missing the big picture” (p.566).
He compares video games to more acceptable types of media throughout his entire article. One comparison that was powerful was when he was talking about the future of gaming. He explained that video games will be able to adjust to the needs and interests of the player. He says “These personalized games will reflect who we are and what we enjoy, much as our choice of books and music does now” (p. 567). By comparing something acceptable, such as music or movies, to something that has a very similar situation which society doesn’t see as acceptable, such as video games, is an incredible way to help the reader understand his point of view. The reader would react very differently if he said that radio stations would soon become personalized and adapt to the listener’s favorite type of music.
Throughout his article, Wright constantly compares video games to other forms of media that are more acceptable to the public’s view. He shows his knowledge of other types of media as well as videogames. “As computer graphics advanced, game designers showed some Hollywood envy: They added elaborate cutscenes, epic plots, and, of course, increasingly detailed graphics” (p. 566). By using words that would be familiar to more people and comparing it to something that everyone deems acceptable, Wright shows how video games have incorporated things from movies as well. By showing that video games are like movies Wright adds an air of credibility to the point he is trying to make.
Wright expertly dodges opposing views and puts the readers into his shoes. When he addresses the opposing side, he accuses the other side of not acknowledging the fact that video games are not completely terrible. By providing comparisons, he is able to convey how he feels to someone who does not share his opinion, by comparing it to a common interest.
Ethos
In his article “Dream Machines”, Will Wright uses many different forms of Ethos to solidify his claim that videogames can have positive effects on those who play them. Wright is a video game designer and a co-founder for the company Maxis, a video game company that is now part of Electronic Arts. Though he does not explore the opposing argument very much, he uses he experience with media and knowledge of video games to prove his credibility.
At one instance in the article he addresses the opposing side of his argument by saying “Society, however, notices only the negative. Most people on the far side of the generational divide – elders – look at games and see a list of ills (they’re violent, addictive, childish, worthless)” (p. 565). He goes on to agree with that statement on some levels, but then goes on to explain his point of view. “Some of these labels may be deserved. But the positive aspects of gaming – creativity, community, self-esteem, problem-solving – are somehow less visible to nongamers.” He agrees with the opposing side, but he points out that the opposing side never takes the time to acknowledge the positive effects that gaming can have. He not only acknowledges that there is an opposing view to his argument, but he actually agrees with it, showing that video games not only have positive effects, but have negative effects as well.
Wright proves his credibility by using terms that video game creators and players as well as storytellers in general would know. When describing ‘possibility space’, the many different ways that a player can achieve a goal, he said “In linear storytelling, we can only imagine the possibility space that surrounds the narrative… In interactive media, we can explore it” (p. 566). He used terms that not only apply to video games, but also other media forms.
Another example of his comparison to other media forms as well as his knowledge of the vocabulary of videogames. “Unlike most other forms of media, games are inherently malleable. Player mods are just the first step down this path” (p. 567). It is possible that a lot of people who read his article did not understand what ‘player mods’ meant. But because he brought it up in the same paragraph that he was discussing elements that players can change. By the placement of the vocabulary word, the readers were able to understand the meaning of the word, and prove his knowledge of videogame vocabulary.
Pathos
Throughout his article, Wright uses a lot of precise words and phrases to inflict emotion in his readers. The way that he words his arguments has a very persuasive effect on the readers. He did not rely so much on the logos or ethos of his article, but his pathos was powerful.
To begin his article, he talks about how children learn by doing rather than by listening or watching. Wright talks about how video games can provide that Kinesthetic way of learning for children. “Just watch a kid with a new video game. The last thing they do is read the manual. Instead, they pick up the controller and start mashing buttons to see what happens” (p. 565). He talks about how children learn the process of trial and error through playing video games. If they lose a game because they tried a certain thing, then they can go back and try again so that they can chose the best option.
Wright goes on to talk about how video games give people a different view of the world. The wording that he chose to describe it was very insightful. “But the gamers’ mindset – the fact that they are learning in a totally new way – means they’ll treat the world as a place for creation, not consumption” (p. 565). Wright claims that video games can influence the players view of the world, making their lives something they can change. By having the view that the world is a place of consumption that makes it seem like the people living in the world can’t change their circumstances. But viewing the world as a place of creation means that they can change their circumstances and provides the opportunity for growth. His choice of words is impactful and creates a positive view for his side of his claim.
When talking about the same topic, Wright again said something that was very powerful.

His choice of words is very intentional for the message he is trying to convey. He talks about how other forms of media do not promote creativity in the way that video games do. “Instead of leaving player creativity at the door, we are inviting it back to help build, design, and populate our digital worlds” (p. 566). A lot of modern video games encourage players to customize their characters or the world that the characters live in. This creates an interactive feel to the media form they are consuming. Wright implies that when people consume other types of media they are inactive. By having an interactive design, players stay engaged in what they are doing.
Wright’s choice of words is impactful and skillful. Certain words and phrases that he uses inflict feelings and emotions in the reader that other words or phrases could not. He choses his words with care to correctly portray how he feels about the subject.
Conclusion
While video games can have a negative impact on those who use them what is often overlooked as Wright points out is their ability to help those who play them in ways that nothing else can. His comparisons and the way he relates video games to people will certainly make people reconsider their thoughts and feelings about video games. Wright wants his audience to consider the fact that video games are not completely bad and to not look down on those who play

them.