Why everyone should embrace gaming

I've oftentimes thought about why gaming is such an important part of my life. Is it because I grew up with it? Possibly. Is it because I love tech and it's an extension of that? Maybe.

But I don't think either characterization really captures why I love gaming and why anytime I have some free time, I immediately push my computer aside, turn my HDTV on, and start playing with my Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, or the countless consoles that have littered my past.

In reality, I love gaming because it's an escape into a reality that can only be possible in the world of video games. It's not just a place where I can be entertained--though I am quite often--and it's not even a place where I can waste the day by immersing myself in a virtual world.

Video games create a world that's free from stress, and although some like to say they ruin our children and will ignite a wave of violence unlike anything we've ever seen, they're not nearly as violent as the "real world." If I wanted to look at the horrors of our society and see the worst human beings for what they really are, I wouldn't play a video game. Instead, I'd do a simple Web search and learn anything I've ever wanted to know.

I have a serious problem with people who look at gaming as the root of all evil in this society. "Kids learn how to kill!" they say until their voices lose their thunder. "Look what these video games show our children!" they continue the next day.

But why don't they look through their reality distortion field and realize that video games can provide a lot of good for most people?

Granted, video games will not solve the world's troubles, but countless studies have shown that although a massage may relax you more effectively, video games can provide therapeutic relief as well.

Information Solutions Group found video games can be therapeutic to kids with ADHD. Another study from PopCap Games found video games reduce stress and can reduce the effects of depression.

The simple fact that anti-video game zealots don't understand is that video games can be a haven for some people. It's easy to say that the content is violent or sexual, but I can say the same about the news I watch on TV every night and the movies I pop into my DVD player after that. Video games provide a retreat and there's no way to downplay that.

And perhaps that's why I think everyone should embrace gaming. It's not that I'm so obsessed with it that everyone should play. Instead, I believe that people should embrace gaming because it's an industry that provides superior entertainment value to films and never forgets that there's more to life than life itself.

Check out Don's Digital Home podcast, Twitter feed, and FriendFeed.

[john55440]

I'd rather read a modern classic novel, etc., than to play video games.

[ofmyony]

I personally ask myself the question, why? If occupying time is your reason I can agree with that. If it is fun I can agree with that. If it is to relieve stress I can agree with that. But it is still not for me!

[mbeast40]

Why is it that gaming and violence seemingly blend into one? I am by no means an anti-gaming zealot. I have played and thoroughly enjoyed my share of games, violent and not. But one decision I made early on with my kids (I have four of my own, two of my partners and we foster still more) was no first person shooters.

I completely agree with most of what you say - games can be a great stress reliever, an escape, entertainment, and for kids, peer and even team building experiences. And I actually agree with you that more should embrace gaming. But I draw the line and don't agree with the violence, the human v human, first person shooter aspect of most games.

I also disagree with your analogy of getting enough violence by watching tv and observing the world around us - there is a distinct difference in 'watching' the news and observing violence, and being in a game and 'intentionally' trying to eliminate an opponent or any other act that the game requires. Watching and participating, even in an imaginary, digital world, are very different.

Pro gaming but anti-gratuitous violence.

$0.02
Michael

[pcnerd37]

I completely agree. I have been playing video games since I was 2 years old and I have yet to kill or injure anybody. I find it a great way to relax, or I do until I find a frustrating point in a game where the only thing I can manage to do right is die. With the mess that my life has become through no fault of my own, I need something like video games to take me out of my life and let me live in an exciting fantasy world for a while. Honestly, I think that if I didn't have the stress relief of games, I probably would have beat on somebody by now.

[HarleyRacer]

I consider video games as a form of therapy. When life becomes difficult, it is better to shoot at imaginary enemies in a game than to make real people into enemies and shoot at them. The trick is balance. Fun and relaxation are good, obsession and addiction are bad.

[rpjohnt]

A lot of good comes out of the communties that have grown up around gaming. Many of them, like EdgeGamers, promotes family values and a clean place to play. I don't like playing in the zoo of online gaming where there are no admins or police keeping the porn and f*bombs out of the servers. There are many good gaming communties out there. EdgeGamers is one, GameCrossroads and a few others are good for the family.

[professionaladventurer]

Game all you want, more waves for me. Have fun in your gaming chair and talking to your friends on team speak. I am going on a hike with some real people. Play in your world, I'll play in mine. Don't come here, you'll get sun burned.

[rpjohnt]

But, I mainly game to save the planet. That way I don't start up my SUV and drive to the countryside where I go hiking. I save money and cut my greenhouse gasses.

Stay home, take out your frustrations with your friends. Consoles by the way are for whimps.

[berbar]

Very romantic. But as with everything else, there's people that like it and there' people that don't.

As for me, I just wish I had more time for video gaming.

[optionshiftk]

First of all, most of these skeptics who preach that gaming is some sort of evil act are completely technologically illiterate! Sure, there are some nasty scenes in GTA 4, but so is there in the real world. Just turn on the news and ask yourself if that is any better than COD4. If society continues to shield our children from every little thing, then the next generation will be living a fantasy. The world is not perfect and we need children to grasp that concept if we want them to succeed.

[rpjohnt]

Actually, it is also a place to teach manners. At least at =(eGO)= and I think at EdgeGamers they teach kids manners. The biggest downside to internet gaming is dealing with punks who think they can do or say anything because they are on the internet. It is nice to game in a place where you can mow someone down as a heavie in tf2 but don't have to listen to F*bombs and see porn sprays.

There are a lot of great gaming communities out there. The Online world is not so bad.

[jasonmr321]

i agree that video games help the world.. i hope others will see that playing video games.. for fun not for a addiction.. can really help people with adhd and depression! (or just normal people also!)

[barry51o]

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