Defining the Game of Life from a Reverse Engineering Perspective Part 1

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Reverse Engineering

In our previous article, we concluded that this virtual game of life emerged with the purpose of Something Big, and our participation is driven by players being tasked with missions. This article aims to analyze what type of game this virtual life game represents through reverse engineering.

In gaming, reverse engineering refers to the process of dissecting a video game to understand its design and operational mechanisms. This might involve scrutinizing the game's coding, graphics, audio, and various elements to comprehend how they synergize. Looking further, analyzing the game's mechanics can deduce the designer's objectives and underlying intentions.

For instance, in "Ring Fit Adventure," we can easily infer through the game mechanics that the designers aim to enhance players' muscle strength for a healthier physique. Similarly, "Animal Crossing" provides an environment for players to construct and manage a virtual island, suggesting the designers' intention was to promote social interaction and creative expression by analyzing its mechanics. Players can interact with animal villagers on the island, invite friends over, and engage in multiple community activities; these features steer players towards establishing and maintaining relationships.

To summarize, reverse engineering allows us to gain deeper insights into game designers' objectives and intentions, thereby offering players the chance to enhance their gameplay experience and devise clever strategies.

Regarding the mechanisms of the virtual game of life, regardless of where one begins the examination, a consensus emerges that "humans are perpetually in pursuit of happiness," making this inherent trait our starting point for comprehending the designers' objectives and intentions.

Harmless Happiness

Humans pursue various kinds of joys, each with unique influences and potential risks. Below, we outline six common types:

1. The Joy of Learning: The delight derived from learning stems from knowledge expansion, personal growth, and problem-solving satisfaction. Acquiring new information and skills fosters brain health and enhances self-efficacy. However, an imbalanced focus on learning may lead to stress, anxiety, or isolation due to neglecting other life necessities.
2. The Joy of Achievement: Derived from fulfilling goals or overcoming challenging tasks, this joy bolsters confidence, motivating further success. Conversely, excessive focus on achievements can foster workaholism, heightened stress, and negatively affect interpersonal relationships due to intense competitiveness.
3. The Joy of Social Interaction: Derived from engaging with friends, family, or the community, healthy social relationships bolster psychological health, offering support and security. Overindulgence in socializing or forming unhealthy relationships may result in dependency, interpersonal conflicts, or emotional turmoil.
4. The Joy of Taste: Derived from savoring food and beverages, it satisfies physiological needs and serves as cultural and social exhibition. Over-reliance on food for happiness may precipitate health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.
5. The Joy of Exercise: Derived from physical activity, this includes stress relief, enhanced bodily functions, and achievement of fitness objectives. Excessive exercise might cause physical injury, exhaustion, and prolonged joint problems. Moreover, becoming overly engrossed in exercise can lead to the neglect of social and professional aspects of life.
6. The Joy of Sexual Pleasure: Derived from sexual activities, this joy promotes mental health and intimate relationships positively. However, irresponsible sexual behavior might spur emotional problems, interpersonal conflicts, and even lead to sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.

The Most Harmless Joy

Among these forms of happiness, the joy of learning is often deemed the least harmful when maintained in balance. It fosters intellectual and emotional growth, imparting a lasting positive impact on an individual's long-term development. Additionally, the challenges and explorations within the learning process incite continuous curiosity and satisfaction, mitigating negative consequences. Moreover, the joy of learning is uniquely "endless" in pursuit, given that "life is finite, whereas knowledge is infinite."

Learning and Achievement

From the aforementioned discussion, key insights emerge:

1. Humans pursue happiness endlessly. 
2. The joy of learning is the unique form of happiness that allows for "endless" pursuit.

Consequently, the central theme of life is "learning." There are no essential places to visit, must-try delicacies, or necessary tasks to complete in this lifetime; there's only the unceasing "learning" journey woven through existence.

Therefore, we can determine that this virtual game of life categorizes as a "learning" type of game. Let's pause here; we'll delve deeper into further analyses in the next article.