PH33R my 733+ SK!77z!! (Translation: Fear my leet skills!)
Posted on March 15, 2005
Filed Under A Geek's Guide to the Scriptures | Leave a Comment
Subtitle: Thy Manga is a “light” unto my feet, Part II
For those of you who missed the last episode, I shall briefly summarize: uh, actually, just click here for the article where I discovered for myself the big deal about manga, leet and all that–as well as MegaToyko.com.
MegaTokyo comics gently poke fun of the whole Manga/anime scene while simultaneously spoofing the “leet” world. Leet, stands for elite and the term “leet” is spelled in various ways. For example, 1337, or | 33+ all translate into the term “leet.†The whole point of “leet-speak” is to come up with symbols that look like letters but are not. It is the language that blow-em up, first person shooter gamer types spew at each other in taunting ways to prove their macho-cyberness. They tend to cry out “Ph34r M! 733+ sK!7z!!!†(Translation: fear my leet skills!) as they strive to prove that “I’m more geek than you!” All this whilst spending hour upon hour wiping out various cyber enemies. Yes, “leet-speak†ers need to get a life.If I just lost you, I would recommend that you google the word “leet” or “1st person shooter†or “Halo†etc. and read about them, if only just a little bit. You will find a whole world full of the stuff out there. WARNING, much of it is junk.
BUT THAT’S MY POINT.
I had no idea just how big the gamer world had gotten. Sure, I have seen the stuff in Walmarts, at Blockbuster and even in libraries; and I know that they have even made full-length movies out of several of the hottest games. But still, the numbers of fan sites, the merchandise, the chat rooms and discussion threads, the news sites —They even have huge conventions devoted to this stuff in California, Los Vegas, New York, and, of course, Mecca (that is, Tokyo). Apparently, live action actors, voice actors and “motion models†for these games are veritable idols, almost on par with movie stars. Championship gamers are literally compared to Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. They go to huge competitions that draw players from all over the world. Winners walk away with massive prizes and often sign lucrative endorsement contracts.
Why are these people are so into this stuff? What is it that calls them to the gamer world?
What is it that video games offer kids that the real world cannot? Perhaps Largo can help. He and Piro are the only two Americans in MegaTokyo. Largo is an Ultra-leet-wanna-be who tends to rant “PH33R my 733+ SK!77z! (translation: Fear my leet skills!).
“Video games are a conduit for the soul. They expand our lives, channel our imagination, challenge our skillz. Games exist as a channel for the boundless energy of people all over the world.” So said Largo in a MegaTokyo episode.
Largo is frequently portrayed as a lovable looser who is rather aggressive, at least in cyber space, and often times gets into trouble in some rather funny ways. But he is determined to view himself as a “leet master,” usually to his peril. His biggest passion in life is to over clock computer CPUs (think of a car’s engine that is running at way too high RPMs). The problem is that his little works of “leet-ness” tend to start fires: in the electronics store, at the gaming convention, even in their apartment.
But “Conduit for the soul” ?? I suppose that means the freedom and ability to express one’s self in ways not attainable in the real world—through killing zombies and other make believe mayhem in most cases.
“Expanded horizons?” Into a “world” that is nothing but pixels on a monitor? That’s a pretty pathetic “horizon” to expand into. Challenge *what* skills? typing skills? game controller mastery? the ability to “kill” imaginary enemies? Certainly not spelling skills. True “leet-ers” go out of their way to aviod good speling skilz.
Most over the top serious gamers are attracted to a digitized world because in them, they can become a “god” –if only a paltry, digitized one. Think I am over stating the case? Regrettably, I am not, for there are even games out there where you literally play “god.” You can choose “representatives” of yourself who wander around in your creations going to various villages maiming and destroying, or healing and blessing, depending on your mood.
Is that scary or what???
WHERE IS ALL OF THIS GOING?
IF you have teens, know of any teens or have ever seen a teen before in your life, get to know them! Find out what they are into, and *why* Thanks to a media rich world, and especially thanks to the Internet, teens today can get pretty deep into just about any world they want — Very Deep, if they want. And that’s what most of them do want.
Find out what their quest in life is. Are they expressing deep-seated fears through virtual aggression, like Largo? Have they become adrenaline junkies who look for imaginary ways to risk their lives? Are they drawn to fantasies where they save the world? Most likely, they are simply bored and need something worth giving their life to.
Find out with the intent of building bridges and reaching them for Jesus. Challenge them to get into the real game, the game of making a difference in the Kingdom of God. Show them that there is a battle out there all right, but it’s not a pretend one. There is plenty to fight for, but our battle is not against flesh and blood.
In other words, Help them GET A LIFE—a real life.
Image the kid who today chants “Ph34R M! 1337 SK!11z!!” (fear my leet skills) finding life in the Lord and saying “all for Jesus!” Or what about the kid who today looks to some Anime character for “guidance” realizing who the real source of wisdom is and saying “Your Word, Oh Lord, is a light for my feet and a lamp for my path.”
Mini- Summary I: when I look at what kids are into, it’s easy to see the folly of their ways. But in my adult way, am I doing anything that is just the same?
Mini-Summary II — Share the light of Jesus with a teen! Find a kid and build a bridge with him or at least pray for him. So many of kids are just looking for someone to show them the way to true meaning in life.
GOT 5 MINUTES? Lets pray for the teens in our spheres of influence, that they can channel their energies for Jesus.
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