Debate on Video Games.

During our lesson we did a debate on the pros and cons of playing video games. This is the information I found from the research and debate we did.

The pro's of playing video games:

• Video games for some people are a good way to cool down after a long day at school and/or work. They provide a space to relax and chill out, away from reality and can take your mind off pressures of day to day life.
• Video games for young people provide entertainment and can be some young persons way of socialising with other people. There are young people who suffer with confidence issues in reality but when they're online a video game, they can interact with other people similar to themselves.
• Video games have no time limit. You can play a video game for as long as you wish. If you complete a game, you can play it over again if you'd like. They provide endless entertainment for all ages and genders. Unlike other media products such as a film, the game starts and finishes when you choose.
• Some video games can be used for exercise and bringing families and friends together. If its bad weather or you're alone, you can buy exercise games which are suitable for inside. So if you can't go outside to exercise and play sports, you can play them inside and still get your muscles working. The games can also be multi-player which allow familes and groups of friends to interact together, which is a good way to bond and create good memories for everyone.
• Video games demand more concentration and improve your mind skills as a pose to watching television or reading a book. You are required to watch and listen whilst using your hands and memory. This exercises the mind and co-ordination which can only be a plus. Where as if you were to sit and watch a film, all you are required to do is watch and listen which doesn't require much brain action.

There are games which are extremely popular and have many more pro's than con's. For example;

Wii Sports.

 

 

Wii Sports is an interactive game which was released by Nintendo back in 2006. Since then the game has been a huge hit around the whole world. The game has a selection of sports of which you can choose and can have upto 4 players at one time. You can select your character to play with and then simply compete with either family members and friends, or play against the console. It is an easy and entertaining way of keeping fit indoors. You can play for as long as you want, whenever you want. The game is good for gathering families together to enjoy some harmless fun. Some may say that the competitive side is a downfall although a bit of harmless competition can be healthy for anyone. The game also exercises your mind as you concentrate and master the skill of the sport.

 

"Wii Sports makes for an ideal pack-in with Nintendo's new console, providing some fun, simple gameplay that's accessible to almost anyone." - Review from member of www.gamespot.com

 

 

Although, there are some significant downfalls to playing video games.

 

The con's of playing video games:

• Playing video games can be quite influencial on a person. Especially if the person is a child. Playing some of these games can be misleading and can give false expectations of life. For example violent games can influence a young person that it is OK to be violent and kill people.
• Video games can become quite addictive and enticing to some people and can seriously disturb their day to day life. Some to the point where leaving the house or eating and drinking is affected. Being addicted to playing/completing a game can be dangerous and in some rare cases, life threatening.
• Playing video games an excessive amount isn't healthy. It is bad for your eye sight and can affect your mood a lot. It can make you antisocial and moody towards other people and can make you extremely lazy.
• Playing some of these exercise games can be harmful to your body. If you go from barely no exercise to playing an excessive amount of an exercise game over night then you can severely damage your muscles. These games can sometimes make you too competitive and push you so far that you break a bone or accidently injure the other people playing.
• It is dangerous for a young person to play certain video games as it can influence them to do these things in reality, which could be committing a serious crime. Some of these games desensitize you to violence and make it almost seem the normal thing to do.

An example of a game that can be a bad influence and encourage committing crimes:

Grand Theft Auto.

Grand Theft Auto is a computer and console game which is available to XBOX and Playstation. The game series was first published by Rockstar Games and released in 1997. The game is set in fictional cities largely modelled on America. The game is about an open world where several characters can complete missions. The missions include stealing vehicles, killing anybody that gets in the way, running from the police and has an adult nature. It is based on a hood/ghetto theme and promotes violence and theft. This game can be heavily influencial on younger audiences and can also be quite misleading. It can paint a false expectation and desensitize people to drug abuse, sex, violence and hard crimes.

"Fun for adults, too graphic for kids -
The game takes away boredom and lets adults do things that in real life we would never dream of doing (like stealing, murder, and the character dying and coming back to life). As an adult I do play the game do turn off when the younger generation comes in. Not recommended for young people. It's a partial reason for violent kids in todays society." - Review from parent on www.commonsensemedia.org