Videogames

[Druidus]

Is anything wrong with playing video games? Do they cause children to be less creative, or intelligent? Do they rot the mind? Do they cause violence, and other problems?

It is my opinion that they do not. Video games stimulate the mind, and force a person to think creatively and strategically, far better than modern schools do. I'm more likely to fight a huge battle, in order to increase the borders of my growing empire, while worrying about the tax rates in my growing cities, and fighting down rebels, than I am to do a sheet of multiplication problems (for example) because the little cartoon cat up in the corner says school is "kool". Same goes even for shooter games. The problem, if there is one, is that parents allow their kids to just play any game. The ratings are there for a reason. I wouldn't let a ten-year old kid play Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, because of it's ratings, unless I was there, to supervise (if I were the parent). On the other hand, by about age 14-16, it's not going to matter much what games we play, we already have seen violence, gore, etc, on TV.

Of course, some games are more mentally stimulating than others. It goes on a general scale:

1. Strategy Games (i.e. Total War, Celtic Kings)
2. RPG/Adventure Games (The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, Fallout)
3. Simulation Games (Flight Simulator, The Sims)
4. Shooter/Fighter Games (Halo, Perfect Dark)
5. Sports Games (Football, Hockey)
6. Racing Games, Fighting Variety (Mario Kart, Diddy Kong's Racing)
7. Racing Games, non-fighting (Grand Turismo, Need For Speed)

There are other types, but most fit within the confines of these labels, though there may be overlap.

 

[ayani]

hey Druidus-

i put "not sure". i didn't grow up playing video games, and was generally taught by my parents that they were "bad" things, wastes of time, and would dullen my senses.

my little brother's fond of them though, and i can see the appeal. i'll often sit and watch him play star fox or something, and it's easy to get sucked in.

i still hold my old prejudices that it's better to "read something" or "play outside" then it is to play video games.

then again, i didn't have a game cube when i was ten...

 

[No*s]

I'm not sure.

I think video games sponsor creativity to a degree, but they also inspire mental laziness. Playing Civ doesn't equip me to think logically about what I'm reading or any other sort of thing. If taken out of its place, video games are simply an idle pleasure that does hinder development.

I am also certain that they can contribute. Solving puzzles in Zelda trains kids to study a situation, analyze it, and figure it out (provided they don't get a walkthrough lol).

With those two things together, I can't really know where or when it becomes unprofitable. I just assume I must take everything in stride here and strive for Aristotle's Golden Mean .

 

[goodjewishboy]

I grew up on video games. I'm 22 and have been playing games since I was six and got an NES with Mario bros. on it. It's a fun pastime and I still enjoy it when I can play it, but I'm getting through my last year of college and I rarely have the time for it. I will say that a well made game is just as engaging as a good book (The Myst series of games actually require reading and critical thinking). A game like StarCraft against another person requires good strategy and forward thinking like a game of chess. Also, blowing up monsters is fun.

The real problem with video games is the same problem with everything; the potential of doing one thing to the exclusion of everything else.

 

[Pilgrim of this Reality]

beneficial.

for the most part. Moderation is key. Games can stimulate ideas and creativity but too much can do the opposite. They do tend to increase hand eye coordination across the board.

I grew up with video games for the most part. They actually drove me to look into art and the art of the games themselves. Its just another way to tell a story, in a manner than is as engrossing as the imagination itself.

 

[painted wolf]

well, It depends on the game and the maturity of the player.

an immature person playing a mature game can be harmful. Having said that I love games of all sorts. I get into the odd video game kick, I'm purpetually behind the times though, and just got a Playstation 1 last year for Christmass. :jiggy:

I rock on my ATARI! :jam:

wa:do

 

[Yerda]

Is there evidence either way? Any relevant studies I could look into?

 

[Jaymes]

Beneficial. I credit games with my hand-eye coordination.

 

[Green Gaia]

I would say both and neither.... other factors are involved in each, like for example, parental supervison. My son is getting to the age where he wants to play video games and computer games and I allow him to do so, with a time limit and I choose the games.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

For kids, video games are for one thing: a rainy day. However, even on a rainy day they harm creativity. My wife and I don't have kids. We don't watch any TV - but we have one and watch movies on the weekends. We keep planning on dumping it, and almost certianly will when we have kids. In my opinion, TV and video games are the scum of the earth. It's like alcohol - a little bit is ok, but a constant stream numbs you.

Humans are special because we can create music, exchange ideas, garden, read, etc. We are here to live our lives, not watch others live pretend lives. Too many of us are wasting away in front of a fantacy.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Is there evidence either way? Any relevant studies I could look into?

No, all the researchers are playing Halo and RPGs. :jiggy:

 

[Mister Emu]

Some games are beneficial in moderation, some are 100% harmful no matter what.

 

[Yerda]

No, all the researchers are playing Halo and RPGs. :jiggy:

Half-Life 2 and Gran Turismo are my personal favourites. RPG stands for rocket propelled grenade for me.

 

[CaptainXeroid]

...The real problem with video games is the same problem with everything; the potential of doing one thing to the exclusion of everything else.

WERD! 'Nuff said!

 

[Druidus]

It's been shown that video games help your attention span, and some video games are often used in treating ADD sufferers.

I know that when I play a video game, I think more than when I'm not. Of course, I'm not thinking as much as when I read, but, then, that's to be expected. I still have a voracious appetite for books, and good creativity. Why "waste" our lives in front of a fantasy? Well, for one thing, all books are fantasies to the reader, even non-fictions. Should we stop reading them? I don't watch much TV, or even movies, but I'll never give up my video games.

 

[Dinogrrl]

I think it can go either way. Depends on the child (or adult, whatever ). I find that RPGs are quite helpful for me, because that requires the use of a part of my brain that really just doesn't like to work XD. Everybody makes fun of the way I play RPGs, because I never know what to do, what's going on, where I need to go, or what items do what.

However, once I get to the battles, usually I do just fine .

I'm great at racing games, and things like Pong and Tetris. And things like Soul Caliber 2...that's the only game where my button-mashing strategy actually works XD!

On the other hand, my sister is great at RPGs (she usually ends up helping me when I play), but really, really bad at racing games XD.

Now. DDR is god. Absolutely the most brilliant video game EVER. YOU CANNOT DENY IT.

I just find video games to be a nice break from everything. I feel so deprived here at college...none of my roommates have a gaming console, I couldn't bring any of mine with me (my sister wanted to play them still), our tv's too small for effecient gaming anyway...and I'd relax a little too much ;. Then again, there's always the guys across the hall who have the SNES...

 

[Jaymes]

How could I forget DDR! That's one of the best ways to lose weight...

 

[Dinogrrl]

omg Jensa. How could you forget?!!1! *whaps*

 

[john313]

beneficial for hand-eye coordination and strategic thinking/problem solving and the like. many children only want to play video games nowadays so they just sit there all the time. this is of course bad because kids should be playing outside and getting exercise and sucking in fresh air. of course once they are big enough to push a mower they should get a job
i think games are good if there is a limited time for playing.

 

[Saw11_2000]

Halo 2 for the win!

OWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!

I also kinda like sims, roller coaster tycoon, the sims, flight simulator.