Home video gaming systems have changed quite a bit in the last 30, almost 40, years. Changes are apparent when comparing the first gaming system, the Magnavox Odyssey released in 1972, to the latest gaming systems, the Wii released in April 2006, and the Playstation 3 released in November 2006. The Magnavox Odyssey was an easy system to use dealing only with simple geometrical shapes. As the years have passed the systems have evolved into what we see today. Video games are now a multi-billion dollar industry. The gaming systems have become so elaborate that not only can you play games on them but you can download movies and television series straight to your video gaming console. www.netflix.com There is even the ability to talk to the other player's on one's team with the use of a headset.
Many skills can be learned by playing video games. Skills including multi-tasking, resource management, reasoning skills, memory, etc. Video games can also help children who don't do well in certain social situations. If a child is a good "gamer", he may gain social standing.
I believe video gaming systems have had a negative impact on our society. Adults as well as children are spending entirely too much time playing video games. I believe video games play a role in the increasing number of obese people in America as well as the increasing number of children with juvenile diabetes. Some of the people playing these games are just not getting enough exercise. I also believe that video games are contributing to aggressive and anti-social behavior in today's youth. It's hard to meet new people and make friends if you spend hours and hours playing video games. Video games are creating desensitization to violence. Studies show that games that continually show violent acts increase the level of aggressive thoughts and behavior in the player. http://www.pamf.org/preteen/parents/videogames.html Parents need to take to time and be aware of the types of games their kids are playing and how many hours they spend playing them.
You make some good points.I like that you show that video games have their pros and cons. I'm a huge gamer myself. I'm sure that there are some obese people that play video games quite a bit, but I spend as much time as anyone playing and I am extremely skinny. I also feel that it's the player who has to be smart enough to make judgements such as knowing not to steal cars, shoot weapons, etc.
ReplyDeleteAnd Although they are for casual gamers, the wii has made their games more interactive like wii fit and whatnot, but I agree with you. Might as well go out and excercise if you're participating in fitness simulations.
I've also met a close friend over xbox live. We were playing call of duty and I noticed he was a fan of the Diamondbacks and I asked him about it over the mic and we became friends from there. So video games definitely don't shut down your social skills especially when the games are online enabled and require teamwork and I love meeting new people.