“The Rules of the Game” (2021-2022)

Repetitive practice usually culminates in the thorough mastery of a certain skill. It’s an idea I’ve always been intrigued by, manifesting itself early through my passion for hobbies that demanded precise mechanical mastery. From the piano to card manipulation to drawing, I delved deep into anything I could continuously and repetitively practice for hours on end. On that list was gaming, but after I read the ideas of Graeme Kirkpatrick, I realized the profound connections video games shared with my other passions. Too preoccupied with the flashing display on my screen, I’d never considered the physical act of gaming, the flurry of fingers that dance across our controllers. Video games had only been a simple, relaxing hobby until then, so writing and thinking about them in a different light proved to be a challenging task.

Beyond that, there was also the issue of learning to write in an authentic voice. Much of my writing experience had come from lab reports and literary analyses, and I found myself habitually drifting into a rigid writing format. I couldn’t unpack my ideas using the methodical process I’d grown accustomed to, and gradually learned to scrutinize and second-guess my methods of thinking. I had plenty to talk about in my essay, but figuring out how to get people to care was difficult. While seeking feedback on my ideas, I’d always be asked: “But why should we care? Why is that important?” And while it was discouraging to hear in the beginning, it later challenged me to delve deeper into my thoughts and remedy any shortcomings.

Justin Yoon (Tisch ’24) was born in Seoul, South Korea, but departed at an early age to live in Singapore. He hopes to one day produce video games, and is pursuing that dream by studying game design at the Tisch School of the Arts. Besides his love for gaming, Justin also enjoys drawing, reading, writing, and practicing cardistry. Inspired by both his love for games and mechanical mastery, Justin’s essay explores the idea of aesthetics within the making/experiencing of an artwork as distinct from the completed product.