Beating Addiction and Traveling to the Past: Real World Connections through L.A. Noire and Max Payne 3

A few weeks back, we shared an interesting interview in which a NASA scientist advanced the possibility that real world environments could in fact be complex computer simulations - likened to open world game universes like GTAIV's Liberty City. Today, we've discovered a pair of incredible and inspiring pieces discussing the way that the virtual world can impact the real, showing how people make sometimes profound real-life connections through interactive entertainment.

In 'Night and the City', Eurogamer's Christian Donlan documented his recent experience playing L.A. Noire with his father - who grew up in 1940s Los Angeles - along for the ride. In addition to sharing his father's impressions of experiencing L.A. Noire's virtual recreation of 1947 Los Angeles, he also tells a fascinating story about his grandfather, who was an actual L.A. beat cop during the era. An excerpt of his father's words:
"Viewing L.A. Noire was an exciting and thoughtful experience. For a few hours I was able to re-explore the L.A. I knew in the late forties and early fifties with my son. The city was dark, but even with the period's dim street lighting and within the slightly truncated map of the city, we were able to find our way around. The prizes for me were the Richfield Building, Angels Flight (located where it belonged next to the 3rd Street tunnel - it has since been relocated one block south) and the wonderful cars of the era. I was able to remember exactly how to get around from both the towering City Hall and the slightly uncomfortable space of Pershing Square. This seemed a refreshingly thoughtful-almost intellectual-scenario that I would not have expected in something called a game...

To be able to experience it again with my son who was born 20 years after I first left the city was, I think, wonderful for us both."

You can read the full piece here:
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Meanwhile, this inspiring story that caught our eye at the Destructoid community blogs is something we thought quite worth sharing. In it, one of their community members (also a member of the Destructoid Crew here at Rockstar Social Club) vApathyv documents a very personal experience of conquering his own addiction to alcohol while concurrently witnessing Max's similar struggle playing through Max Payne 3's story:

"As I progressed through the story I was both amazed and terrified at how much I could relate to this man. Now, as I was playing this game, back in the real world I had also begun making strides towards correcting my problem. I was regaining a grip on my life, and regaining a grip on my self-control. I was slowly becoming better again, to the point where I actually stopped drinking for a while. And around that time a pivotal moment happened in the story where Max decided enough was enough, and that he was gonna drop the bottle and take his life back. When this happened, I was floored. This character that I've been so connected to this whole time...he was taking the same steps I did. I had no words. I still have no words to describe the feeling I had during that scene. But the one thing I can say about that scene is, it inspired me. I could probably say Max rejecting his demons and vices is what led to me doing the same. I think I can honestly admit that Max Payne is who saved me from my addiction."

vApathyv: We are honored that our game could help you in such a profound way - and wish you all the best in your continued health and happiness.

Read his entire story at:
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