video gaming helps or kills?

[nottheleetnessninja]

studies show that video games actually help the mind. but lots say that games kill the mind. What do YOU think about gaming and if it helps; or harmful.

[ZombiNe]

I think this thread belongs in the "Debate Sub Forum"

[AznSenzation]

For one, games involving constant motion and control (most older side-scrolling games, flight/driving simulators, etc.) will improve hand-eye coordination and reaction time. Most useful skills to have when driving, as both help you avoid hitting other vehicles/objects on the road if you simply remain attentive while driving.

First Person Shooters like Halo improve the brain's ability to pay attention to detail... logical, really, since you really have to pick out the little things on-screen when playing First Person Shooters.

Tetris improves the brain's ability to make things fit together (both literally, as in shapes, and figuratively, as in problem-solving). Other such games like Intelligent Qube have similar effects.

Games that require physical movement such as Dance Dance Revolution or Wii Sports not only help the brain, but the body as well

So yes, in ways, games do help the mind, and body.

[SnowOwl96]

It can go either way.

There are games that can help the mind and body in so many ways.

Puzzle and Strategic games help the person not only learn and understand how everything falls into place but help the mind discover more than one way to accomplish their goal in completing it and moving onto the next.

I won't go into shooters and games regarding motion control because azn has already posted his thoughts and I agree with him on them.

As for how they are not good. Well, the language that is used in a game can hurt a younger person. Parents don't want their kids growing up knowing a lot of swear words and of course it can't be helped. Basically because everyone swears, curses out in public and no matter how hard you try to keep a rated m game from and 12 yr. old, you'll eventually lose.

Dumb, insipid people that don't use the product right.

And people that take things that they see on a game just as a movie or tv show like jackal butt and try to imitate them even though I'm sure the publisher has put something in writing saying "Do not attempt to do these in real life... " on the inside cover of the booklet.

[Wednesday_R]

Snow put that better I could have possibly done.
If only more public eye were shone on the obvious artistic merit in games these days, there would be less of this, "How will games help my child!?"

[Xalgar]

RPG's, especially MMO's have helped me understand and take advantage of a basic economic system.

[shilohdegreat]

Games also sometimes have really great stories, which can teach children. Like gaining life experience without the life part.

As mentioned, they increase cognitive skills.

Games can be used to teach business and economics, like Roller Coaster Tycoon.

Conversely, I know much more about guns than I normally would because of video games. May not be a bad thing, but whatever.

That's really all I can think of right now, so that's my cent.

[Xeronic]

I've thought and discussed this for years. Simple answers.

Video games can teach a lot of stuff. Economics, math, comprehension, art, culture, morals, even languages.... murder? A simple answer is yes. It could. So can movies, music, television, books...even life. I learned a lot with my time growing up playing video games. Online Games are incredible with this.. but that's another discussion.

Look at all those articles in last few years about WoW and it's player-base, and how some companies are looking into Guild leaders and officers when they apply for jobs, as they have leadership qualities and decision making. I can easily see why they would take that into consideration, being a WoW player and officer for 5 years. It takes a lot of shit to successfully pull of a raid with 20+ people. Well, when i played hardcore, it was 40 and A LOT harder than that piece of shit game is now.... another time on that.

But back on topic, People are f**k**g crazy.

My opinion on all these articles on "video game violence" and shit annoy me, because i think it depends on the person. I grew up with violence, sex, drugs and shit in my life, and yes, MATURE video games, and i'm "fine". I don't have the urge to go out and kill people.



Do i think about it? sure, who doesn't? will i act on it? i can say with 99% confidence, no. i say 99% because who knows.. really.

Also take into consideration how many people have played these "Mature Games" or going into movies and music "Mature Content" and have acted on it. How many people acted out a scene or event in "Grand theft auto" in real life... BECAUSE of GTA? -_-

If/When i have kids, of course i will allow them to play and embrace video games. Why would i not? That's like denying music or movies. It's a great pleasure... an interactive one at that. Monitoring the games they play is a must of course, which is the main reason this shit pops up in the media. Stupid parents not watching what their kids play or watch.


I don't blame games, i blame people.




That's on that topic. Another one i bring up that is a serious problem, in my opinion, is Game Addiction. People laugh at it, even gamers. I would of too if it didn't hit me a few years ago. It doesn't happen with every gamer, or everybody really.. but it's increasing more and more each year with each generation of consoles and it's appeal. Growing up, we had the Atari 2600, NES, SNES, etc... 2-4 player stuff. Nowadays, there is a thing called the internets, while being a incredible tool, has brought the gaming world in a shit spiral of awesomeness, and when i got introduced to it "Hardcore".. yeah it got bad.

I'm talking about MMO's. Most of you might know what i'm talking about (mostly WoW nowadays) but when i started to getting into them, i was in High school, and i can say it fucked it up pretty bad. I'm ashamed that i did so poorly in the long run, but i'll make up for it hopefully. I was playing FFXI at the time, and i would literally goto school, come home, get on FFXI. I wasn't like "ZOMG HARDCORE" but i constantly played it, thought about it, and never got away from it for 2 years. When i got into WoW, and how much that turned into another nightmare, i saw myself.. and i will never do it again.

Gaming is my secondary hobby. Film being my first. I play in moderate times now, and the off-occasion where i play 8-10 hours at a time (recent game was Fallout 3.. mmm) but 1-3 hours a session is what i aim for everytime now. Online games are another matter, but it's not a priority for me anymore.

Game addiction, Should be another debate topic...

[drasil]

All I have to say is anyone who's played Professor Layton and the Curious Village cannot say video games aren't helpful to the mind in some way.

[shilohdegreat]

May 1, 2009 0:42:04 GMT -5 Travis said:

how funny you should ask...
WALL OF TEXT BEGIN!!!


Parental Guidance: The Unbiased View

(HOLY SHIT COLLEGE PAPER)

You better have gotten a good grade.

[shikacaah]

Certain videogames have the tendency to really dumb-down the gameplay resulting in a less engaging experience. Just like television, television doesn't just kill or help, it does both. You must watch engaging television in order to keep your brain engaged.

Thereby a videogame that keeps your brain engaged will only help maintain satisfactory cognitive function. It's the logic of it.

As Travis mentioned all forms of entertainment are questioned in some shape or form.

However common misconceptions such as "Videogames make you dumber" arise from games like Runescape (no offense if you play this, really) where an individual would just mash the same button for an extended period of time trying to gain something from it, or from a simple hack and slash game, the type that gets a 6/10 for a rating but fanboys always find some ground to back up.

It is absolutely undeniable that games like Splinter Cell, Metal Gear Solid, Fallout 3, Final Fantasy, Oblivion, and others that immediately come to mind. Engage the mind in a manner that keeps the brain functioning at a steady pace. Which would only aid cognitive function.

[magico234]

Ah, the eternaal Question.

Vidoe games are a way to blow off steam, and can improve social interactions between kids.

It also gives alternatives to other violent measures.

Let me put it this way.

If your at home, playing a game, you are not going to have time to go tease somebody.

[shilohdegreat]

May 24, 2009 0:53:08 GMT -5 magico234 said:

Vidoe games are a way to blow off steam, and can improve social interactions between kids.

Not when they stay inside all day. There is a huge difference between talking to someone via messages/speakers and talking face to face.

May 24, 2009 0:53:08 GMT -5 magico234 said:

If your at home, playing a game, you are not going to have time to go tease somebody.

People get made fun of all the time on video games. I sometimes get quotes from Grandma's Boy because of my name (it never gets old).

[YamahaCasey]

[harlequinsjester]

I have honestly never thought of games being helpful, just tools to make me laugh and have fun. I suppose I would see gaming as more of a killer, but not in the sense where I play a character who picks up a hooker and kills her and then go out into the world and do the same. I see gaming that kills where I sit in front of the tv all day and play games. It has ruined my eyesight lol.
I'm more in the middle with this one. Sure a game could help, hell I learned my countries cause of Bully, but it also gave me a headache and now I have to wear glasses Lol.