Archive for September 2011
Computer Games – Teenagers Paradise
Since the development of the first computer game- Spacewar, by three MIT students in 1961, these games have become the best source of entertainment for both adults and teenagers. But it’s the teenagers who enjoy them better when compared to adults amidst their busy working schedules.
A wide range of games are being made available through internet which can be downloaded with ease, through DVDs and CDs, software’s and online delivery services. With their amazing graphics, visuals and audio quality and fascinating game experiences, they have indeed become one of the best opted modes of entertainment among teenagers.
A major plus point which computer games have is that they do not require separate gaming consoles or arcade machines like that of play stations. Instead they can be played easily with a pc or lap top. Games like Super Mario 64, Ghost Recon: Advanced War fighter, City of Villains etc which were released by Microsoft has gained lots of popularity.
With the advent of new 3D libraries such as DirectX and OpenGL and the use of sound cards, the computer gaming industries have been able to develop newer games with exquisite graphic and audio quality.
Computer game designing is another aspect which attracts teenagers and adults alike. It is natural to develop an interest towards game designing but the task requires vast knowledge of programming languages in different operating systems. Earlier it was possible to develop games by small groups of people, as in the case of Wolfenstien 3D, but today computer games require a big team and a big budget.
Taking a peep into the demerits of computer games, teenager’s addiction towards them is the one that stands first. Secondly a lot of violence has been associated with video gaming due to the violent and objectionable content within them.
Kids’ Computer Games
Computer games have become a popular childhood spare-time activity. But research indicates that kids’ computer games adversely affect children’s physical and mental health. The games featuring excessive violence are actually doing more harm to the kids. Even children have developed a definite liking for those games. A recent study published on the web has revealed that 32% prefer to play violent computer games. Not only that, but 29% of the kids like sports games with violent themes. Only 2% want to play games with educational content. The statistics are quite alarming.
The supporters of video games may reason that computer games are phenomenal in enhancing hand-eye coordination. But the staggering statistics suggest otherwise. They show that kids are fast becoming violent thanks to those brutal kids’ computer games. Computer games have become an integral part of childhood. Most kids now play computer games on a daily basis. Kids’ computer games have been instrumental in injecting violent behavior into children. They tend to react aggressively if something annoys them. The connection between playing kids’ computer games and aggressive behavior has become so obvious that parents have started thinking about how to keep their kids away from those harmful computer games.
The theme of kids’ computer games is the same – an anonymous person brutally fights an anonymous enemy. This type of kids’ computer game infuses violent behavior into kids. Playing computer games has become the biggest addiction among kids. They even save money to buy the latest game titles. The kids’ computer game developers are trying to hard to cash in on their increasing popularity. They post advertisements on the Internet and show ads on TV to catch their attention. However, kids still prefer the Internet to find out more on their favorite computer games.
Computer Games – Friend Or Foe?
Are video games good news or bad news? And is it really as simple as all that? Over the years there has been a tremendous amount of discussion, or perhaps argument, between those who feel that computer games and video games are harming children’s health, their imagination and potential, and those who feel that they have no more effect than the many other calls on children’s time, and may even in some cases have some positive impact.
Certainly today there is a growing range of computer games and video games, and whilst many are still firmly rooted in the classic shoot ‘em up model, there are many new games which are challenging some of the stereotypes to which people have become accustomed to seeing on the shelves.
Games that include ways to challenge your intelligence, video games designed to exercise your mind and increase your IQ, games that focus on problem solving and linguistic skills are all there, and proving to be every bit as popular as games designed purely to entertain, without any attempt to pretend to be educational.
There are even games today promoting physical fitness, diet and nutrition, and with the Wii in particular, children and young people can be seen playing video games and computer games at the same time as running, jumping, dancing and gyrating in ways which can only have a positive impact on their health.
Another criticism launched at the publishers and retailers of video games and computer games is that they encourage children to seek their own company, spending more and more hours cooped up on their own, to the ultimate detriment of their communication skills and social skills. However, with the development of internet communications and broadband in particular, many games have now become multiplayer, providing ways to chat and communicate with friends and other players from all around the world.
This has often resulted in groups of people working together who may otherwise have never even met. As far as developing strategic thinking and teamwork skills, including communication, organisation and compromise, these video games have been shown to have a very positive impact on children in terms of those skills which are of particular benefit in the workplace of the twenty first century.
But let’s not become too sentimental about video games and computer games adding to our children’s education and life skills experience. Many computer games and video games are exactly that – games. We all need to unwind at the end of the day, and there is nothing wrong with spending a little time playing games. Some people choose to read a book, others to watch television or hang out with friends at the local park.
But who’s to say that playing a computer game which is challenging reaction, strategy, logical thinking skills and team work is of less value that sitting slumped on the settee watching the television. The truth is, more snacks and sugary drinks are consumed by young people whilst watching television than whilst playing video games. Like anything, they have an excellent role to play if treated with respect and used in moderation.