You Died. So What? How Dark Souls Makes You a Master of Persistence

Dark Souls (FromSoftware, 2011), isn't your typical video game. It's a world of haunting beauty where death lurks around every corner. Skeletons rise from the grave, hulking knights swing massive swords, and the environment itself conspires to send you plummeting to your doom. But beneath the punishing difficulty lies a valuable lesson: the unwavering power of persistence. In the unforgiving lands of Lordran, you don't just play the game – you learn to persevere.

A Baptism by Fire:

Dark Souls throws you into the deep end with minimal explanation. You're a frail, underequipped soul facing monstrous foes and labyrinthine levels. Death is inevitable, often brutal and humiliating. This initial shock can be discouraging, but it serves a purpose. It forces you to confront your own limitations and the need for a different approach. This harsh reality check emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes – a cornerstone of persistence.

Trial and Error: The Path to Mastery:

Unlike games that spoon-feed you solutions, Dark Souls demands experimentation. You learn enemy attack patterns, trap placements, and environmental hazards through trial and error. Each death becomes a stepping stone, a lesson etched in the fires of frustration. This process of iterative improvement builds resilience and reinforces the value of not giving up after a single setback. Research (Hart, 2021; Pusey, & Dip 2021) suggests that overcoming challenges in video games can lead to increased intrinsic motivation and a greater willingness to persist in the face of difficulty.

The Sweet Reward of Overcoming a Challenge:

The victories in Dark Souls are hard-earned. Finally conquering a boss you've been struggling with for hours is a moment of pure elation. This sense of accomplishment validates your persistence and reinforces the positive feedback loop – the harder the struggle, the sweeter the reward. This emotional payoff motivates players to tackle even more daunting challenges, fostering a "never say die" attitude.

Persistence Beyond the Game:

The lessons learned in Lordran extend far beyond the game world. Just like navigating a treacherous dungeon, real-life challenges require grit and determination. Whether it's mastering a new skill, overcoming a personal obstacle, or simply pushing through a tough day at work, the ability to persevere is crucial. Dark Souls equips you with the tools to face these challenges head-on – the ability to learn from mistakes, adapt your strategies, and never give up on your goals.

A Community of Persistence:

The Dark Souls community embodies the spirit of perseverance. Online forums are filled with players sharing strategies, commiserating over defeats, and celebrating victories together. This sense of camaraderie reinforces the idea that you're not alone in your struggles. By witnessing the persistence of others, you're encouraged to keep pushing forward on your own journey.

Dark Souls isn't just a game; it's a crucible that forges resilience. It teaches you that true mastery comes not from innate talent, but from the unwavering will to keep trying, even in the face of overwhelming odds. So, the next time you find yourself staring at the "You Died" message, don't give up. Remember the lessons learned in Lordran, and rise again, a champion of persistence.

References

FromSoftware. (2011). Dark Souls [Video game]. Bandai Namco Entertainment.

Hart, A., Flegg, M., Rathbone, A., Gant, N., Buttery, L., Gibbs, O., & Dennis, S. (2021). Learning from the Resilience Playtest: increasing engagement in resilience promoting games through participatory design. CoDesign, 17(4), 435-453. https://doi.org/10.1080/15710882.2020.1740278

Pusey, M. E., & Dip, G. (2021). Exploring the relationship between cognitively challenging puzzle video games and resilient behaviours (Doctoral dissertation, Murdoch University). https://researchportal.murdoch.edu.au/esploro/outputs/991005542451407891