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Imagine sitting in a dark room and endlessly killing monsters and ogres. Did you ever realize that while you were hunting for virtual treasure you were actually making real money? In “Game Theories” Clive Thompson delves into the virtual world of on-line games and brings forward an unusual feature related to this field. Using coherent writing techniques, the author brings into light a number of interesting facts and details and his narrative essay also incorporates descriptive examples. He employs an informal but engaging approach and uses a number of facts and numbers to prove his point. Thompson uses a full-circle ending to complete his essay but unfortunately fails to entice readers with a title that succinctly describes the content of the essay.
Thompson employs standard-informal diction to interest readers in his topic. Upon reading Thompson’s first sentence, “Edward Castronova had hit bottom,” (332) readers are intrigued by the author’s use of third-person narrative. Personal stories appeal to readers, and Thompson utilizes this stylistic, story-telling technique to “hook” readers into his discussion about the connection between virtual reality and the economics of the real world (332-333). The author also employs a number of conversations between different characters to get his thoughts across. By following Castronova’s personal journey from “academic failure” to “a fully tenured position” at Indiana University, Thompson’s choice of technique is successful in that it sustains reader’s attention.
The author draws readers in with an example of a “38-year-old economist” (332) who turns to video games to alleviate his loneliness and break free from a depressive state. This example works in Thompson’s favor as readers can relate to the economist’s experience. The author employs a cause and effect technique whereby Castronova’s deteriorating mental state becomes the cause behind his introduction into the on-line community that...