Rhizome Experiment, Fall 2015

Video Game Platforms That Define the Self

      There are many different platforms in which any different video game player can choose to play. With the different platforms of gaming systems there are also stereotypes that go along with that and they are based on age and gender. The three most common platforms are the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox One, and the Sony PlayStation 4. You will not typically find as many women and children playing PlayStation or Xbox as you would find playing the Wii. Along with that, the Wii tends to be a game system associated with younger generation kids (elementary school). The PlayStation and Xbox systems have age ranging from middle school age to grown men. Similar to Turkle’s Explanation of video games and their holding powers, the platforms show how video games are “a telling way in which children, teenagers, and adults encountered the computer.” (Turkle 499).
            These different types of platforms are not strictly bounded to one age range but the different types of games offered for purchase essentially dictate whether the game is suitable for younger or older players. For instance a majority of the game ratings for the Nintendo Wii are rated “E” for everyone. Where as Xbox and PlayStation have more games that is rated for “T” for teenagers or older or “M” for mature. Although the games are recommended for everyone, the younger generation user are more likely to play the games that are suitable for their age. Wii games have more kid friendly video games. Along with that the Wii offers a more active version of gameplay in which the user has the option to either sit down or stand up to be more interactive with the game. Altogether, each platform offers a different purpose for the self and different variations in gameplay.


Turkle, Sherry. "Video Games and Computer Holding Power." The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit (2011): n. pag. Print.

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