LostLight ideology

[FalseDreamer]

In *Lost Light*, a mobile game developed by NetEase, players are placed in a post-apocalyptic world where they are part of the Fireflies faction, a group of survivors caught in the crossfire between various factions, looters, and hostile forces. The ethical ideology behind the Fireflies has complex undertones, influenced by both traditional Chinese philosophy and the game’s dystopian environment. Their guiding principles revolve around survival, justice, and morality within a world where the lines between right and wrong are blurred.

### **1. Survival as a Core Principle**

At the core of the Fireflies' ideology is survival, but not at any cost. Drawing from the Confucian value of "Ren" (benevolence or humaneness), the Fireflies believe in surviving while maintaining their humanity. They reject the notion of ruthlessly exploiting others for survival, as seen in their disdain for looters and marauders who embody chaos and lawlessness. Unlike other factions that believe in survival of the fittest, the Fireflies’ approach mirrors a more ethical stance, advocating cooperation and mutual respect. In this way, their ideology blends traditional moral values with pragmatic survival tactics.

### **2. The Concept of Justice**

A defining moment in the *Lost Light* universe is when the Fireflies label the killing of looters and marauders as "murder." This moral vocabulary elevates their ideology to a reflective level—players are forced to confront the notion that even in an anarchic world, violence has ethical consequences. The Fireflies don’t condone senseless killing, no matter the justification. This is reminiscent of the Taoist principle of "Wu Wei" (non-action or effortless action) where violence is seen as a last resort, to be avoided unless absolutely necessary for survival or justice.

### **3. Confucianism and Social Harmony**

In Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucianism, there is a strong emphasis on maintaining social order and harmony. The Fireflies adopt this belief as they strive to restore some form of societal order in the game’s chaotic environment. They believe that through collective effort and discipline, society can emerge from the ruins of the apocalypse. However, this harmony is not imposed through brute force; rather, it is fostered through ethical conduct, mutual respect, and a sense of shared purpose among survivors. The Fireflies encourage teamwork and look down upon those who take advantage of the chaos for personal gain.

### **4. Moral Ambiguity in a Fallen World**

Despite their noble intentions, the Fireflies are not free from moral ambiguity. The use of the term "murder" reflects this dilemma. Even though they distinguish themselves from looters and marauders, they still engage in violence when necessary. This presents a paradox: while they abhor needless violence, they sometimes must resort to it to protect their own. This is a philosophical conflict found in many Chinese war epics, where even righteous warriors must navigate a world where violence is an unavoidable reality.

### **5. Daoism and Balance**

Daoist philosophy emphasizes balance in all things, and this is echoed in the Fireflies’ approach to power and control. They believe in finding a balance between force and diplomacy, much like the Daoist yin-yang principle of opposing forces being interconnected and interdependent. While the Fireflies are armed and willing to fight, they seek to avoid becoming tyrants or oppressors like other factions that have descended into madness or power hunger. This reflects the Daoist idea that the best leaders are those who do not seek control but allow things to flow naturally.

### **6. The Fireflies' Ethical Code: Protect but Do Not Exploit**

The ethical code of the Fireflies is built on the principle of protection. They aim to protect the weak and build a sustainable community. However, they are fully aware of the delicate balance between protecting and exploiting. Unlike marauders or scavengers, who prey on the weak, the Fireflies try to preserve the dignity of others. This aligns with the Confucian concept of "Li," or proper conduct, where every individual is expected to act with decency and respect toward others, even in challenging circumstances.

### **7. Moral Responsibility vs. Necessity**

The Fireflies also embody a struggle between moral responsibility and the harsh necessities of the world they live in. Players, as Fireflies, are encouraged to think before they act. The decision to kill, steal, or engage in combat comes with ethical weight. This moral responsibility mirrors the Buddhist principle of "Karma," where actions have consequences not just for the individual but for the larger community. The game thus challenges players to consider the ripple effect of their actions within the post-apocalyptic world.

### **8. Ideological Conflict with Other Factions**

The ethical ideology of the Fireflies stands in stark contrast to other factions in *Lost Light*. While some factions represent chaos, greed, and opportunism, the Fireflies view themselves as the moral compass. They are opposed to factions that view violence as a means to an end. This ideological conflict is a core tension in the game, as players must navigate alliances and rivalries, always keeping in mind the ethical framework that the Fireflies represent. This reflects an age-old philosophical debate in Chinese history: whether virtue or strength is the key to ruling and survival.

### **9. Collective Good Over Individual Gain**

A key tenet of the Fireflies' philosophy is the prioritization of the collective good over individual gain. This is deeply influenced by Confucian ideals of collectivism and social harmony. Unlike looters and other factions that operate on selfish principles, the Fireflies believe in the power of community. They see selfishness as a threat to long-term survival. Thus, they promote a system where resources are shared, skills are taught, and cooperation is the foundation of their society.

### **10. The Role of Ethical Leadership**

Finally, the Fireflies emphasize the importance of ethical leadership. Drawing from Confucianism’s belief in "Junzi" (the ideal moral leader), the leaders of the Fireflies are expected to embody the highest moral standards. Their authority is not derived from power or fear but from wisdom and virtue. This stands in stark contrast to other factions led by warlords or dictators. In this sense, the Fireflies see themselves as the true stewards of the future, not through force but through moral superiority.

In conclusion, the Fireflies in *Lost Light* represent a faction whose ethical ideology is heavily influenced by Chinese philosophical traditions, particularly Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Their focus on survival with dignity, justice, moral responsibility, and the collective good sets them apart from the other factions, which have succumbed to chaos and violence. By labeling the killing of marauders as "murder," the Fireflies underscore their commitment to ethical conduct, even in a world that constantly tempts them to abandon those values. This creates a moral framework that challenges players to think beyond survival, asking them to consider what it means to be human in a world that has lost its way.

[Mr_Puddins]

What a good read. Are you a student of Hermetics by chance? :+:

A righteous warrior... Such a complex and deep dilemma.

[FalseDreamer]

Aye the game lost light inspired me to start looking into the original devs purpose of the game

It was a game they wanted to remind players of their humanity . I think there’s a lesson to learn in this

[Marchal Thomas]

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1797880/discussions/0/4631482382562658701/
Hello partner, im inviting you to read and participate in my topic, this game needs change!

[Dogman Dorman]

WTF is your point? How is this essay with all the attempts of you trying to flex your vocabulary supposed to help the next player? And is your life that boring and with nothing better to do than spend time telling people what your opinion is on the background of a fantasy video games is. Sorry but this whole extended read really shows that you waste too much time time thinking about stuff that has zero to do with reality and that you might want to use your time on things that really mean something. By the way do you have a girlfriend cause i dont think you do and you might want to look into getting one so you can have something better to concentrate your energy on cause this looks somewhat pathetic. Oh one more thing where did you steal this from?

[Mr_Puddins]

Originally posted by Dogman Dorman:

WTF is your point? How is this essay with all the attempts of you trying to flex your vocabulary supposed to help the next player? And is your life that boring and with nothing better to do than spend time telling people what your opinion is on the background of a fantasy video games is. Sorry but this whole extended read really shows that you waste too much time time thinking about stuff that has zero to do with reality and that you might want to use your time on things that really mean something. By the way do you have a girlfriend cause i dont think you do and you might want to look into getting one so you can have something better to concentrate your energy on cause this looks somewhat pathetic. Oh one more thing where did you steal this from?

Just move along if Hermetic Philosophy isn't your thing breh. I personally appreciated it. Good philosophy is SO hard to find in the West... as Philosophy died with the fall of Greece.

[FalseDreamer]

Originally posted by Mr_Puddins:

What a good read. Are you a student of Hermetics by chance? :+:

A righteous warrior... Such a complex and deep dilemma.

no, I kind of dabbling esoteric theology, and philosophy. Most of this was actually based off of different concepts that I pulled together and basically mashed, ran it through several other things in order to compile each idea so that it would most resemble what the player base needs in a way, and also based on the loose amounts of information that are available in the game and some of the background story which is relatively hard to pull together, I’m gonna be expanding on this in the next year or two just because the whole philosophy of loss light is extremely in depth Considering that most of the player base was originally going to serve as a social experiment I do need to check into a couple of more things to refine some of this, but it’s going to be a couple of more posts before I get a concrete finalization of the actual philosophy because I have to do a little bit more because some of the actual endgame Lore has to do with the players

( I’m still waiting for some feedback from developers and some other groups that play this game constantly, but most of the original story driven parts of the game seem to have been put on the back burner for more modes and so on since people focused more on killing in the game than anything else)

aside from that I do use different sources in my workings. In this one. I used base ethics and morals mixed with fusionism and more so Greek Middle Eastern and Eurasian inspirations.

Like I said this is a work in progress and I hope to bring more worth to the lost community considering that most of the discord for the official lost light is just people shouting brain rot at one another…. RIP: Cheeseburger, Hitler

[FalseDreamer]

Originally posted by FalseDreamer:

In *Lost Light*, a mobile game developed by NetEase, players are placed in a post-apocalyptic world where they are part of the Fireflies faction, a group of survivors caught in the crossfire between various factions, looters, and hostile forces. The ethical ideology behind the Fireflies has complex undertones, influenced by both traditional Chinese philosophy and the game’s dystopian environment. Their guiding principles revolve around survival, justice, and morality within a world where the lines between right and wrong are blurred.

### **1. Survival as a Core Principle**

At the core of the Fireflies' ideology is survival, but not at any cost. Drawing from the Confucian value of "Ren" (benevolence or humaneness), the Fireflies believe in surviving while maintaining their humanity. They reject the notion of ruthlessly exploiting others for survival, as seen in their disdain for looters and marauders who embody chaos and lawlessness. Unlike other factions that believe in survival of the fittest, the Fireflies’ approach mirrors a more ethical stance, advocating cooperation and mutual respect. In this way, their ideology blends traditional moral values with pragmatic survival tactics.

### **2. The Concept of Justice**

A defining moment in the *Lost Light* universe is when the Fireflies label the killing of looters and marauders as "murder." This moral vocabulary elevates their ideology to a reflective level—players are forced to confront the notion that even in an anarchic world, violence has ethical consequences. The Fireflies don’t condone senseless killing, no matter the justification. This is reminiscent of the Taoist principle of "Wu Wei" (non-action or effortless action) where violence is seen as a last resort, to be avoided unless absolutely necessary for survival or justice.

### **3. Confucianism and Social Harmony**

In Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucianism, there is a strong emphasis on maintaining social order and harmony. The Fireflies adopt this belief as they strive to restore some form of societal order in the game’s chaotic environment. They believe that through collective effort and discipline, society can emerge from the ruins of the apocalypse. However, this harmony is not imposed through brute force; rather, it is fostered through ethical conduct, mutual respect, and a sense of shared purpose among survivors. The Fireflies encourage teamwork and look down upon those who take advantage of the chaos for personal gain.

### **4. Moral Ambiguity in a Fallen World**

Despite their noble intentions, the Fireflies are not free from moral ambiguity. The use of the term "murder" reflects this dilemma. Even though they distinguish themselves from looters and marauders, they still engage in violence when necessary. This presents a paradox: while they abhor needless violence, they sometimes must resort to it to protect their own. This is a philosophical conflict found in many Chinese war epics, where even righteous warriors must navigate a world where violence is an unavoidable reality.

### **5. Daoism and Balance**

Daoist philosophy emphasizes balance in all things, and this is echoed in the Fireflies’ approach to power and control. They believe in finding a balance between force and diplomacy, much like the Daoist yin-yang principle of opposing forces being interconnected and interdependent. While the Fireflies are armed and willing to fight, they seek to avoid becoming tyrants or oppressors like other factions that have descended into madness or power hunger. This reflects the Daoist idea that the best leaders are those who do not seek control but allow things to flow naturally.

### **6. The Fireflies' Ethical Code: Protect but Do Not Exploit**

The ethical code of the Fireflies is built on the principle of protection. They aim to protect the weak and build a sustainable community. However, they are fully aware of the delicate balance between protecting and exploiting. Unlike marauders or scavengers, who prey on the weak, the Fireflies try to preserve the dignity of others. This aligns with the Confucian concept of "Li," or proper conduct, where every individual is expected to act with decency and respect toward others, even in challenging circumstances.

### **7. Moral Responsibility vs. Necessity**

The Fireflies also embody a struggle between moral responsibility and the harsh necessities of the world they live in. Players, as Fireflies, are encouraged to think before they act. The decision to kill, steal, or engage in combat comes with ethical weight. This moral responsibility mirrors the Buddhist principle of "Karma," where actions have consequences not just for the individual but for the larger community. The game thus challenges players to consider the ripple effect of their actions within the post-apocalyptic world.

### **8. Ideological Conflict with Other Factions**

The ethical ideology of the Fireflies stands in stark contrast to other factions in *Lost Light*. While some factions represent chaos, greed, and opportunism, the Fireflies view themselves as the moral compass. They are opposed to factions that view violence as a means to an end. This ideological conflict is a core tension in the game, as players must navigate alliances and rivalries, always keeping in mind the ethical framework that the Fireflies represent. This reflects an age-old philosophical debate in Chinese history: whether virtue or strength is the key to ruling and survival.

### **9. Collective Good Over Individual Gain**

A key tenet of the Fireflies' philosophy is the prioritization of the collective good over individual gain. This is deeply influenced by Confucian ideals of collectivism and social harmony. Unlike looters and other factions that operate on selfish principles, the Fireflies believe in the power of community. They see selfishness as a threat to long-term survival. Thus, they promote a system where resources are shared, skills are taught, and cooperation is the foundation of their society.

### **10. The Role of Ethical Leadership**

Finally, the Fireflies emphasize the importance of ethical leadership. Drawing from Confucianism’s belief in "Junzi" (the ideal moral leader), the leaders of the Fireflies are expected to embody the highest moral standards. Their authority is not derived from power or fear but from wisdom and virtue. This stands in stark contrast to other factions led by warlords or dictators. In this sense, the Fireflies see themselves as the true stewards of the future, not through force but through moral superiority.

In conclusion, the Fireflies in *Lost Light* represent a faction whose ethical ideology is heavily influenced by Chinese philosophical traditions, particularly Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Their focus on survival with dignity, justice, moral responsibility, and the collective good sets them apart from the other factions, which have succumbed to chaos and violence. By labeling the killing of marauders as "murder," the Fireflies underscore their commitment to ethical conduct, even in a world that constantly tempts them to abandon those values. This creates a moral framework that challenges players to think beyond survival, asking them to consider what it means to be human in a world that has lost its way.

I do implore anybody that wants to expand upon this original work to go further with it using any tools to your disposal. There are people that will understand what I’m doing, and they will critique it as the rest of you. I hope you enjoy this, and I hope this eventually turns into something that can be disseminated into the rest of the lost light factions And clans

no for now I’m going to have to go. “May your light never go red”

[Dogman Dorman]

Originally posted by Mr_Puddins:

Originally posted by Dogman Dorman:

WTF is your point? How is this essay with all the attempts of you trying to flex your vocabulary supposed to help the next player? And is your life that boring and with nothing better to do than spend time telling people what your opinion is on the background of a fantasy video games is. Sorry but this whole extended read really shows that you waste too much time time thinking about stuff that has zero to do with reality and that you might want to use your time on things that really mean something. By the way do you have a girlfriend cause i dont think you do and you might want to look into getting one so you can have something better to concentrate your energy on cause this looks somewhat pathetic. Oh one more thing where did you steal this from?

Just move along if Hermetic Philosophy isn't your thing breh. I personally appreciated it. Good philosophy is SO hard to find in the West... as Philosophy died with the fall of Greece.

Philosophy died in Greece you say and now you trying to scrape up some from a fantasy video game made for the purpose of sucking money from every person it can? WOW things seem to be getting better these days. So are you trying to fiond the meaning of life from a game which your main goal is to kill everything in sight then steal all of their belongings while wearing a skin that for the women is sexually revealing but ugly as all sin while drawing attention to yourself? How funny that people are trying to find some deeper meaning in something made with zero intentions on trying to better the world but was really made to take what it can. Thank God for video games cause before this we just walked around lost on what the true meaning of life is. Philosophizing over a game just goes to show one of the reasons this world is so disconnnected from reality and people are putting so much energy on ridiculous garbage like what pronouns they want to be or that there are actually more than two genders.

[Mr_Puddins]

Originally posted by Dogman Dorman:

Originally posted by Mr_Puddins:

Just move along if Hermetic Philosophy isn't your thing breh. I personally appreciated it. Good philosophy is SO hard to find in the West... as Philosophy died with the fall of Greece.

Philosophy died in Greece you say and now you trying to scrape up some from a fantasy video game made for the purpose of sucking money from every person it can? WOW things seem to be getting better these days. So are you trying to fiond the meaning of life from a game which your main goal is to kill everything in sight then steal all of their belongings while wearing a skin that for the women is sexually revealing but ugly as all sin while drawing attention to yourself? How funny that people are trying to find some deeper meaning in something made with zero intentions on trying to better the world but was really made to take what it can. Thank God for video games cause before this we just walked around lost on what the true meaning of life is. Philosophizing over a game just goes to show one of the reasons this world is so disconnnected from reality and people are putting so much energy on ridiculous garbage like what pronouns they want to be or that there are actually more than two genders.

..and then I saw Poseidon rising above the water and He took a scepter in His hand. And I saw the oceans, tumultuous as a willful woman rise against Him who was granted power of Chaos by the discernment of Chaos. And I saw myself amungst the sea: how I churned in the waters. Then I saw a Tree. It's Roots went so far deep into the ground that they sprouted into a cavern who's dust had not seen the Light in ten-thousand years. And the Roots of the Tree drew from ancient wells who's water drew minerals from ancient dirt which had not seen the Light in ten-thousand years. And every Fruit but one grew in abundance such that it sustained every possible thing which could thrive. And there were many who thrived; and so many who strove that there were not enough spans of ten-thousand years to contained their number. And one day we will rest in dirt that shall again not see the Light for ten-thousand years. But all which shall strive after us shall draw from our ancient minerals from which many Roots draw the sustenance which shall sustain all things even through eternity. For as the Stars are eternal which burn with ancient flames - so too do our own Hearts shine with as many Lights as there are those of us who strive and thrive.

:+: