Experiencing sadness or emotional distress when a fictional character like Arthur Morgan dies in a video game like Red Dead Redemption 2 is a common phenomenon and is entirely normal. This emotional response can be attributed to several factors:
Emotional Investment: Video games are immersive experiences that often involve players emotionally investing in the characters and their stories. Spending hours playing the game, making choices, and witnessing the character's growth can create a strong attachment to them.
Empathy: As humans, we have the capacity to feel empathy, even for fictional characters. When we see a character go through difficult or emotional situations, our brains can respond as if we are experiencing those emotions ourselves.
Storytelling and Character Development: Games like Red Dead Redemption 2 are masterfully crafted with engaging storytelling and well-developed characters. The game's narrative and the way Arthur Morgan's character is portrayed can evoke deep emotional connections.
Loss and Grief Themes: The death of a central character often involves themes of loss and grief. These themes can trigger memories of real-life losses or evoke emotions related to our own experiences with death and mourning.
Music and Atmosphere: Soundtracks and the game's atmosphere play a significant role in influencing emotions. Emotional music or poignant scenes can intensify the emotional impact of a character's death.
Sense of Achievement: Some players may feel a sense of accomplishment and attachment to their progress in the game, and the death of the character they've been controlling can lead to feelings of disappointment or sadness.
It's important to remember that experiencing emotions in response to fictional characters or stories is a natural part of human psychology. It doesn't necessarily mean you have depression. However, if you find that these emotions persist and significantly affect your daily life, it may be worth talking to someone you trust or seeking support from a mental health professional to explore and process these feelings further.