Image credit:  KoS, Wikimedia Commons

Passing Up Gaming

by Lisa Bui - Lester B. Pearson High School, Calgary AB Apr 7, 2010

Our generation today is blessed with many technological advances...or should I say technological distractions? And one of our favourite distractions? Video games - from MMORPGs (Massive Multi Player Role Playing Games) to the individual gaming platforms that every teen seems to own nowadays. But what do XBox 360, PlayStation 3, and the Wii have in common? (Besides having access to heightened levels of graphic images and violence). Video games seem to pull us away and distract us from what real life is all about - getting outside and actually experiencing some fun.

Imagine running through the jungle in the dark or swimming through deep oceans and killer rapids. No matter how big television screens are growing, the artfully created sound effects and stunning high-definition visuals of video games can never re-create real life; what your own five senses will actually pick up. And for all the time I've spent improving my massive, skillful and fully equipped character who can face any boss in a video game, I might have instead, say, improved my real self. I could have improved my own character, not a video game character, and been able to overcome an actual obstacle in MY life.

I'm not bashing video games here, I myself love to pick up a gaming console myself and unleash some gaming fury. But it seems nowadays I don't pick it up as often as I did before, as I've replaced the NPCs and the Bosses with real life obstacles and reality, which can never be replaced by any video game ever created.

Comments (4)
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Adults say that video games

Submitted by Mr.Flexo on Tue, 07/06/2010 - 17:32.

Adults say that video games suck the imagination out of you. In some cases it can, but for me it inspires my imagination. You see the other stories and worlds and characters that other people thought up and it inspires you to do the same. I think that video games can be a fantastic source of imagination and a very effective story telling tool. There are also games were you get to create things and that even further use your imagination. I also agree that there is more to life than video games, so people should moderate the time they spend on video games.

I'm a gamer but...

Submitted by RosAren on Sun, 06/13/2010 - 15:50.

...I do agree that video games do kind of suck the life out of you at times. On the other hand, I find they stimulate my imagination and inspire some storylines.

While I do agree that video

Submitted by kns25 on Mon, 04/12/2010 - 18:53.

While I do agree that video games distract from real life and responsibilities, they do also have a very positive impact on people. For example, the Nintedo Wii which is built for casual gamers, is often a very good social tool. Gather a group of friends at someone's house and pop in a fun game like New Super Mario Bros. Wii, you are bound to have a great time. Yes, it is keeping you away from the outside, but at the same time you're with the same company you'd be with anyways, doing something positive that will keep you out of trouble.

Company

Submitted by lisayouthink on Tue, 04/13/2010 - 04:13.

Social interactions with games aren't bad. I agree with the fact that games do provide bonding time with friends and family, but video games do also keep you from doing things that aren't trouble at all, like volunteering, sports and the sorts. Super Mario Bros., I would also add, hasn't really taught me to how to do anything productive. I know there are games that do, but nothing beats the real thing.

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