How the times they are a changing. For years everytime something bad happened in society, video games were blamed for the world’s flaws. Now video games are starting to be understood. Like Rodney Dangerfield, video games are starting to get more “RESPECT”. Now I am not saying that video game developers and publishers have never hit the beehive and tried to cause a ruckus with games like “Going Postal”, Mortal Kombat, Grand Theft Auto series and Silent Hill games which have all garnered media attention. Some serial killers also brought some games like Wolfenstein 3D, Doom and Call of Duty into the spotlight. But now video games are becoming socially acceptable forms of entertainment for adults and children during the Pandemic.
Animal Crossing New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch, Madden NFL 2020, FIFA 20, NHL 20, NBA 2K20 and PlayStation Plus are all acceptable. While we are all in our bunkers PlayStation Plus and other video game matching services have allowed gamers to socially distance while still being social and able to interact with their friends and family members. Critics are now expounding the virtues of video game play in moderation. Moderation has always been the key. Pulling the plug from time to time, while not acceptable to your gamer, may be the only way to get them to get their chores or homework done. Hiding the controller or the power cord also works, but make sure you turn off the system and allow the game to be saved first.
Back in the day I did a study at a nursing home. I took a Nintendo Entertainment System into a nursing home for 10 weeks. I set it up as an activity for the seniors. It was a huge hit and many of the seniors who didn’t take part in other activities came to play video games with me. Actually, some of the residents were shooting the ducks with the sides of their bodies that had been affected by strokes. Video games are also good to improve dexterity, critical thinking and problem solving. I may even go so far as to say that saving the princess or getting past an end boss is extremely stressful at times and can help gamers when they grow older. Saving the Princess or passing a boss makes thinking on your feet very important.
Therefore when life problems hit, gamers might not feel the need to partake of substances or other addictive pursuits. Video games are good for society. I am not a psychologist but I am a
pragmatist and I have been around gaming all of my life. Video games are a form of entertainment, some of the most creative and innovative people I have ever met are in the games industry.
However, there needs to be balance in gaming and help for people who get addicted to games. Fortnight and other immersive online games are fun, but they can destroy your relationships, if you let them. Games are a good way to socially connect and everyone needs that right now. Video games and learning are a new frontier. Parents and educators can use video games as a way to teach different subjects without even allowing students to know that they are learning. Math, science and even programming could and should be taught using games.
Technology is becoming more realistic and its time that video games took its rightful place in history, and in everyday life as a healthy and good pastime. If anyone gives you a hard time about video games, tell them the Gamebutler knows that games are good!