Video games’ good and bad effects Essay Example for Free

Video games’ good and bad effects Essay Many wonder if there are any good things about video games. The question becomes even more prominent when you think about children and teens, who might spend more time playing video games than going outside. And then there are adults who develop video game addictions. Sometimes these addictions could lead to problems with employment, relationships and other aspects of life. However, despite all these things, I still say there are many good things about video games, regardless of who is playing. True, while everyone needs to have a life beyond the Xbox, video game entertainment is generally very positive. Through video gaming, you develop the following: 1) Eye-Hand Coordination When youre thinking about some of the good things associated with video games, this tops the list. This is particularly the case for young children, who still need to develop their motor skills. Interaction with the controller teaches them how to coordinate their movements. 2) Fitness Thanks to the Wii, the Xbox Kinect and similar devices, video games can be controlled by more complex body movements. If this is done over a long period of time, video games can actually help a person lose weight. In fact, there are even games dedicated to fitness. They offer the same workout as any aerobics class. 3) Problem-Solving Skills Many games on the market will not let you progress unless you solve a puzzle. How the puzzle manifests itself will depend on the title, but most are designed to test a persons deductive reasoning. 4) Improved Reading Although the reading is not as intense as a book, it is still more detailed than what you see on television. Bad things Video games can be bad for you, but not for the reasons you might think. Theyre not bad for you because theyll make you violent — because they wont. However they can be bad for you for other reasons. Heres a look at the top 5 reasons why video games can be bad for you. Addiction is defined as The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something. †  Anyone who has really been into video games has experienced this. Kids and adults alike think about getting home and playing games. They also spend a great deal of time reading gaming magazines, participating in online gaming forums, looking for future game releases, and of course, spending countless hours playing games. When they arent doing any of these things, theyre wishing they were. It cost a lot of money to stay current with the latest video games and hardware (console and/or computer). Many gamers spend all of their money on gaming. For example, its not uncommon for a gamer to have 50-100 games that cost $40-$50 each. They also often have at least 2 different game consoles and 1 high-end PC. This can easily add up to thousands of dollars a year to maintain a typical gamers habits. Theres often a direct correlation with the amount of time spent playing video games, and the amount of time spent engaging in a quality relationship. In the most extreme example I could find, there was a couple that was so consumed with playing video games that they ended up neglecting their 3 children — to the point that they were malnourished, naked, and covered in their own feces. Although thats an extreme case, I still think theres something to be said about people who spend the majority of their free time playing video games. My guess is that theyre probably not dating or pursuing a meaningful relationship in their free time. Update: A reader brought to my attention an online group dedicated to loved ones who have been affected by their partners addiction to World of WarCraft (WoW). Their description includes the following Do you have a loved one that plays World of Warcraft so much that you feel like you are a widow? This group isnt just for wives, but for anyone, husbands, girl or boyfriends, mothers, fathers, sons or daughters, or anyone that has had a relationship effected by this addictive game. Avid gamers are similar to people who smoke a lot of marijuana — in that they dont get much done. Reading a good book, taking care of bills, writing an article, inventing something, mowing the lawn, etc are simply not a priority when it comes to getting to the next level or finishing a game. Many gamers have things they would like to do in life, but they never get around to it, because they spend so much of their time playing games. Then, when they do have time to work on one of their projects, theyre too tired to do it, because they stayed up till 3am playing a game. Instead of taking a trip, mountain biking, or hanging out with friends at a cafe, gamers spend their time in a virtual reality. Whereas real life experiences bear long lasting friendships and memories, videos games do not. The only pictures that come from video games are screenshots, and the memories that are created from playing those games are ultimately meaningless. Living means interacting, growing, learning, teaching, and loving — none of which can be accomplished in the virtual wasteland of video games.