Computer Games
I love computer games…in fact…I love them more than I should and have wasted countless hours of my life playing them. Here is a great op-ed by Will Wright, the creator of The Sims and many other computer games, describing his philosophy about the value of videogames as a form of entertainment and an outlet for human creativity and imagination. It is really a fun piece to read. Here’s my favorite part:
Society, however, notices only the negative. Most people on the far side of the generational divide - elders - look at games and see a list of ills (they’re violent, addictive, childish, worthless). Some of these labels may be deserved. But the positive aspects of gaming - creativity, community, self-esteem, problem-solving - are somehow less visible to nongamers.
I think part of this stems from the fact that watching someone play a game is a different experience than actually holding the controller and playing it yourself. Vastly different. Imagine that all you knew about movies was gleaned through observing the audience in a theater - but that you had never watched a film. You would conclude that movies induce lethargy and junk-food binges. That may be true, but you’re missing the big picture.
Cool. Of course if you really do need to cut back on your videogame consumption I can say from experience that starting your own business and having two kids is a good way to do so…but even with that I still like to sit down to a little World of Warcraft from time to time :-).
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I need a game computer Jer so that we can warcraft against each other every one in a while.
Comment by Devron Andersen — March 28, 2006 @ 2:50 pm
I, too, love computer games. We haven’t purchased a XBox or anything yet, but I know that resistance is futile. We’ve let the boys play with the games at Walmart, and may-a-time I am just as transfixed as Arik and Matthew. In order to be successful in today’s society, youth need to be able to acquire the skills of thinking quickly and using the joystick/controller.
That said, I often find myself in Will’s “Elder” category. I know there is a lot of good in the games, but it is the bad that gets promoted, sensationalized, and portrayed as acceptable. Of course everyone usually thinks of “Grand Theft Auto,” but there are many more that are more subtle in their portrayal of violence, sarcasm, and lack of respect for others.
Additionally, many programs do promote creativity and problem-solving, but only in an individual context. Not many actually teach the increased value of creativity and problem-solving with others. This lack of social interaction becomes perpetuated to the point there youth are socially uncomfortable with others unless they are in a gaming environment… submersed in their personal gaming world. That’s the big negative I see.
Comment by The Rundquist's — March 29, 2006 @ 12:27 pm
Lars,
Amen brother. There is a lot of crap out there.
You should look into the most popular computer games on the market now then check your premises on your contention that games don’t teach teamwork. A quick game of Counterstrike will quickly point out the degree to which computer games more and more require people to socialize and work together. Or an 8 hour run with 39 other players through The Molten Core in World of Warcraft…(ok…the waste of time objection is a lot harder to counter)
Comment by Jeremy Manning — March 29, 2006 @ 1:44 pm
After having played EQ for the past year, I have never met so many antisocial people in one place. This artificial reality gives those people that can’t really function in the real world an outlet to connect with people. For example, I flirt with this one guy who in real life when talking to females shakes uncontrollably. There is always that protective wall that is nice to escape behind when things get to close. Also, you can’t see those distracting qualities such as shaking through the computer screen. I have to say, it did helped me fill the time when I withdrew after a horrendous divorce.
Comment by Jen — April 16, 2006 @ 4:20 pm