The INFJ Personality Type and inFAMOUS

INFJ’s use escapism from video games to attempt to make the world a better place.

The INFJ personality type is a part of the Myers Briggs introspective questionnaire, and as an INFJ, my personality is also known as the Advocate. The Advocate means I’m quiet and mystical, yet inspiring and a tireless idealist, according to 16personalities.com.

INFJ’s are very rare, making up only less than 1% of the population. These people are soft-spoken, but they have strong opinions and will work tirelessly towards what they believe in.

Video games are a great way for the INFJ to escape from the harsh realities of the real-world. For instance, INFJ’s who were forced to overcome difficult obstacles in real life may find comfort within video games because they can relate to the main protagonist (main character) struggles, trails and tribulations.

The inFAMOUS videogame franchise is an action-adventure game with role-playing elements. The game was released on the PlayStation 3 in 2009, and stars superhero main character Cole MacGrath. Cole is an ordinary bike messenger who gained electrical superpowers when a package he delivered exploded.

Throughout the game, Cole searched for answers of why was he chosen to deliver this dangerous package that gave him the ability to control electricity, because he looked at his superpowers as a burden.

While Cole was looking for answers, he slowly became stronger and learned new abilities of how to get around his environment, along with new and creative ways to defeat his enemies.

inFAMOUS also has a karma system, which means Cole has the choice of being a superhero or supervillain based on his actions.

For example, within the first mission of the original inFAMOUS entitled, “First Glimpse.” The American government delivered food by plane after the explosion in Empire City (New York City) because it was quarantined. The food was left on top of a tall building and only Cole could climb up and get it without getting hurt. Cole eventually got the food down on the floor, but the thugs known as “The Reapers” took advantage of this opportunity.

Cole eventually defeated all the Reapers in the area, and the food was safe for all people to eat, but there was a catch. Cole had to make a choice to let the civilians take and eat some of the food, or fry everybody with his electricity powers and keep all the food for himself, his girlfriend Trish and best friend Zeke.

After the First Glimpse mission, the game tracks everything Cole does on his quest to become a superhero or supervillain. Also, there is a meaning behind the way the developers, Sucker Punch Productions spelled “inFAMOUS.” For instance, they spelled it that way because based on what Cole does within the game, the civilians and the world react to Cole’s actions as being “Famous (superhero) or inFAMOUS (supervillain).”

INFJ’s enjoy playing role-playing games because they appreciate the personal growth they have with the main character, along with being put in situations where the main character must “save the world.”

More than the other 15 Myers Briggs personality types, INFJ’s may feel unsure about their own identities, and role-playing games are a great way for them to live through a character within the digital world that video games provide.

I was at Loma Linda Children's Hospital (Loma Linda, CA) hooked up to an IV pole with my Grandmother and Uncle by my bedside; like Cole who was also in the hospital hooked up to an IV pole with his girlfriend Trish and best friend Zeke by his bedside.

In 1999, this photo was taken of me when I was 14 years old, and the other image I lifted from the original inFAMOUS, which was released in 2009.

INFJ’s are a “mage,” which means I find it more fascinating to be a master of spells and environments. I had a strong connection with Cole because he eventually mastered how to control electricity and he mastered getting around his environment by using parkour. INFJ’s would rather not play video games as a character that is an archer dealing with stealth and long-distance fights, or be a warrior, which focuses on stealth and close-range fights.

INFJ’s enjoy playing single player role-playing games because it helps them become one with the character and understand the character’s motivations and actions of why they are going on a specific adventure. Along with going on an adventure with the main character, INFJ’s also enjoy the power fantasy of controlling magic.

Sometimes INFJ’s see the world as uneven or uncompromising, but video games provide escapism and the ability to make things balanced by living through the main character’s actions. Video games gives the INFJ’s the opportunity to make things right within the digital world, because sometimes trying to make things right within the real-world may seem hopeless.

I was at Loma Linda Children's Hospital (Loma Linda, CA) hooked up to an IV pole with my Grandmother and Uncle by my bedside; like Cole who was also in the hospital hooked up to an IV pole with his girlfriend Trish and best friend Zeke by his bedside.

In 1999, this photo was taken of me when I was 14 years old, and the other image I lifted from the original inFAMOUS, which was released in 2009.

INFJ’s are a “mage,” which means I find it more fascinating to be a master of spells and environments. I had a strong connection with Cole because he eventually mastered how to control electricity and he mastered getting around his environment by using parkour. INFJ’s would rather not play video games as a character that is an archer dealing with stealth and long-distance fights, or be a warrior, which focuses on stealth and close-range fights.

INFJ’s enjoy playing single player role-playing games because it helps them become one with the character and understand the character’s motivations and actions of why they are going on a specific adventure. Along with going on an adventure with the main character, INFJ’s also enjoy the power fantasy of controlling magic.

Sometimes INFJ’s see the world as uneven or uncompromising, but video games provide escapism and the ability to make things balanced by living through the main character’s actions. Video games gives the INFJ’s the opportunity to make things right within the digital world, because sometimes trying to make things right within the real-world may seem hopeless.