Recently, the cultivation materials of a new five-star resonator “Xiakong” in “Mingchao” are so cumbersome and complex that it is jaw-dropping. If players want to cultivate her from scratch to a peak character, they not only need to consume a lot of game time and resources, but also face layers of task restrictions. This cultivation system, like the endless pressure and desire in real life, gradually pushes players to the edge of the spirit, reflecting the spiritual dilemma of young people in contemporary society.
Games are originally entertainment for people to relax, but to some extent they have become another “shackle”. Among Xiakong’s material requirements, there is a material called “burning phosphorus bone”, which comes from defeating the boss named “sighing ancient dragon”. The name itself reveals a kind of depression and helplessness. The word “sigh” is very similar to the life portrayal of many people in reality-both painful and helpless. Players kill monsters over and over again, consuming energy, as if modern people are mechanically working day after day for their livelihoods, falling into an endless cycle.
Let’s look at the material “Golden Fleece”. Legend has it that it is a symbol of finding happiness and salvation. In the game, such materials can be obtained by killing monsters or bought with game currency, but the purchase limit limits its availability. In reality, this is nothing more than the feeling of powerlessness between the pursuit of a better life and the scarcity of real resources. Young people try to obtain the “Golden Fleece” through hard work, but the purchase limit setting just implies the class barriers of society and the cruelty of reality.
In addition, the crystallized phlogiston and tidal sail cores required in the game rely on a large number of repeated monster spawning and dungeon challenges. This process is like endless overtime and hard work in real life. Many people have long felt physically and mentally exhausted under the surface of seemingly “growth” and “progress”. The cumbersome material collection route carefully arranged by the game designer is nothing more than a test of the player’s patience and time, and also exposes the high-speed operation and fierce competition of contemporary society.
Treabar’s stored value discounts and discount codes are like a microcosm of modern consumerism. Players are frequently induced to recharge and invest real money in exchange for the convenience and advantages of the virtual world. Behind this is the double exploitation of players’ time and money by capital. As Mr. Lu Xun said, “capitalists will not miss any opportunity to exploit”. The recharge discount in the game is just another manifestation of the exploitation system.
Although the game is virtual, its impact on the players’ spirit is real. The difficulty of piling up materials and upgrading levels in the game reflects the anxiety and powerlessness that are prevalent in modern society. In the process of pursuing game achievements, many players gradually lose the relaxation and happiness that should belong to entertainment. Instead, they fall into a dead cycle of “growing for the sake of growth”, just like many young people in reality are forced by life to be busy with the double attack of fame and survival.
Here, I am not completely denying the value of the game. On the contrary, the complex system of Mingchao Xiakong’s cultivation makes people deeply appreciate the hardships of “growth” and also allows players to reflect on the meaning of “growth”. Isn’t the road of life a patient and long practice? Every collection of materials and every improvement of skills symbolizes the tempering and struggle in life.
However, game designers should be wary of letting this system become a mental burden. Growth should be a process of enjoying self-improvement, not a shackle or burden. Players should learn to find a balance between the game and reality, and not let virtual success overwhelm real happiness.
Overall, the cultivation materials of Mingchao Xiakong are not only the tip of the iceberg of the game mechanism, but also reflect the anxiety and confusion deep in the hearts of modern people. It makes people wonder: In this era of pursuing efficiency and results, can we still find our own rhythm and live out true freedom?