"The Witness" and the Power of Perception

The past week or so, I've been playing a video game called "The Witness".  On the surface, it's a puzzle game in the likes of "Myst".  (If you don't know what "Myst" is, look it up.  It's a classic.)  The puzzles require you to draw a line from one side of a board to the other, while having that line meet various requirements.  Sounds simple and boring, but it's strangely addicting and can become extremely difficult and frustrating.  (I have a sketch pad that is starting to fill up with random lines as I attempt to solve these things.)  Now, as I said, that is what's on the surface of this beautiful game.  What lies beneath is something that I believe is much more profound and inspiring and can relate to life outside of the video game.  And that is the power of perception.

What I mean by this, is the power to overcome obstacles by changing the way you look at the problem.  In the game, most of the puzzles can only be solved by looking at the board from a certain angle, or by finding a new or different way to look at the board or map.  And not only does changing your perception help you solve puzzles, it can help you see beautiful and moving images that may have otherwise been missed (like the picture at the bottom of this post...those statues are no where near each other!).  This game is a wonderful reminder to take a look at things in your life from a different perspective.  Maybe you're farther along on the path to your goals than you realize...all you need to do is take a look at the path your on from that different angle.  Or you may be missing something amazing and wonderful that is right in front of your face because you've refused to change the way you see it.  If your stuck on something, take a break from it, come back to it later with fresh eyes and an open mind, then take a crack at solving your problem.  These are all things that are related to you throughout the game.  (And the easter egg videos you can unlock are enlightening as well.)

I haven't been this inspired and moved by a game, one that doesn't have a real "story" so-to-say, in my entire gaming life.  Where you really feel a sense of accomplishment for solving some of these puzzles, and the gratification of moving on to the next problem.  If you own a PS4 or a PC, download this game.  Give it a shot.  Keep an open mind, some patience, and a pad of paper at your side, have fun, and let me know what you think.

Things like this make me smile #TheWitness #PS4share pic.twitter.com/2MZ4APHC1M

— John Theodore (@JohnTheodore_) March 9, 2016