Video games - Why are they so important?

I'm Ty and I am not a gamer. That doesn't mean I don't like playing video games....it just means I don't play them much. I have a gamecube with a few games.....and I play it every once in a while. I haven't played for a few months now. If i do start a game I play about an hour every other night for a couple weeks or until I beat it, then I'm done for quite a while. So, I don't let video games take much of my time or money. I just don't understand how people can spend so much money on them and play them so much. I mean, you do realize that it is not benefiting you in any way. It doesn't help your mind, character, body, or anything. It just uses time. I understand it is a form of entertainment, and it is fun which is why I play it once in a while. I just don't understand how people let it take the place of more important things like education. I feel the same way about watching TV for long periods of time. Extremely time consuming games like World of Warcraft can take over every aspect of a persons life, and do so much harm without doing any good at all. My little brother plays runescape, and while he does that I get work done. While he gets nothing out of it, I get stuff accomplished. Do people not realize that nothing is really getting accomplished by sitting on their recliner and punching buttons? And even worse that wasting time, it is making people lazier and dumber. America would be better off without them. Of course, we could simply decide to play them in moderation. Playing over 12 hours a month is excessive. Anyway, I'd like to hear what all of you think. I'd love to discuss this further. Go ahead and post.

And before anyone asks, I am on this gaming site because I do graphic design, and there are a lot of designers here.

Here are some examples of things that do benefit you:

Reading (maintains brain cells and increases reading speed, which is important for school)

School (obvious one)

Being with good, real friends who genuinely care about you.

Certain hobbies (if they benefit your future career)

Exercising (takes care of your body)

There not important its just that there fun

I dont care though really I play them as long as I want to

My parents dont let me play on school days anymore

Anyways-There a hobby? umm....There Fun? Was this intended for those playing extensive life-sapping games like world of warcraft? if so I dont play those.......

Im masochistic? ok not really

My Social life is a sliver? thats the truth

I dont even know what i wrote?

I do exercising though

same could be said about any hobby or pass-time.

Well as far as I know, i'll only live once and knowing that, i'll do whatever makes me happy. Video games are so much fun for me to play. Yes I could be studying and I do study, but i'm not the type of person that lets books hog up his entire life. Education is important I know, but i'm no nut. I can't just study 24/7. I'm not that type of person. I need to have some fun, hang out with friends, go to movies, go driving around town for fun, play games. I do what I enjoy. Ghost_702

Well now being with friends is much different. It does benefit you (unless your friends are not good infuences). You could play video games with friends, and that could be a way to bond. I have nothing against that. I also understand not always studying. I just think time should be spent doing something that benefits you as a person.

[QUOTE="Ghost_702"]Well as far as I know, i'll only live once and knowing that, i'll do whatever makes me happy. Video games are so much fun for me to play. Yes I could be studying and I do study, but i'm not the type of person that lets books hog up his entire life. Education is important I know, but i'm no nut. I can't just study 24/7. I'm not that type of person. I need to have some fun, hang out with friends, go to movies, go driving around town for fun, play games. I do what I enjoy. champion_tyler

Well now being with friends is much different. It does benefit you (unless your friends are not good infuences). You could play video games with friends, and that could be a way to bond. I have nothing against that. I also understand not always studying. I just think time should be spent doing something that benefits you as a person.

But after a hard day at work/school who the hell wants to improve themselves as a person? Not me. I'll just defeat the Water Temple in Zelda or blast people in Halo 3.

[QUOTE="champion_tyler"]

[QUOTE="Ghost_702"]Well as far as I know, i'll only live once and knowing that, i'll do whatever makes me happy. Video games are so much fun for me to play. Yes I could be studying and I do study, but i'm not the type of person that lets books hog up his entire life. Education is important I know, but i'm no nut. I can't just study 24/7. I'm not that type of person. I need to have some fun, hang out with friends, go to movies, go driving around town for fun, play games. I do what I enjoy. Luncbox1

Well now being with friends is much different. It does benefit you (unless your friends are not good infuences). You could play video games with friends, and that could be a way to bond. I have nothing against that. I also understand not always studying. I just think time should be spent doing something that benefits you as a person.

But after a hard day at work/school who the hell wants to improve themselves as a person? Not me. I'll just defeat the Water Temple in Zelda or blast people in Halo 3.

Or read a book or do yoga or something of that sort. Those options can be very relaxing and benefit you. I personally don't read much because I have to spend a lot of time working and doing school. But if I had free time, I would choose something like that over video games. But like I said, video games are okay once in a while.

Im masochistic? ok not really

Sefion

Ikaruga is

But its an escape. I don't like being me. Well I do, but sometimes its fun to go out and smash faces. Or something. Get my mind off the real world. It keeps me connected with my brothers, we all have xbox live and we game regularly. Keeps me in contact with friends as tehy got xbox too.

[QUOTE="Sefion"]

Im masochistic? ok not really

Ravirr

Ikaruga is

But its an escape. I don't like being me. Well I do, but sometimes its fun to go out and smash faces. Or something. Get my mind off the real world. It keeps me connected with my brothers, we all have xbox live and we game regularly. Keeps me in contact with friends as tehy got xbox too.

Escapes are not good. Never run away from anything. And don't try to be who you aren't. I believe, however, that people can choose what kind of person they want to be.

[QUOTE="Luncbox1"][QUOTE="champion_tyler"]

[QUOTE="Ghost_702"]Well as far as I know, i'll only live once and knowing that, i'll do whatever makes me happy. Video games are so much fun for me to play. Yes I could be studying and I do study, but i'm not the type of person that lets books hog up his entire life. Education is important I know, but i'm no nut. I can't just study 24/7. I'm not that type of person. I need to have some fun, hang out with friends, go to movies, go driving around town for fun, play games. I do what I enjoy. champion_tyler

Well now being with friends is much different. It does benefit you (unless your friends are not good infuences). You could play video games with friends, and that could be a way to bond. I have nothing against that. I also understand not always studying. I just think time should be spent doing something that benefits you as a person.

But after a hard day at work/school who the hell wants to improve themselves as a person? Not me. I'll just defeat the Water Temple in Zelda or blast people in Halo 3.

Or read a book or do yoga or something of that sort. Those options can be very relaxing and benefit you. I personally don't read much because I have to spend a lot of time working and doing school. But if I had free time, I would choose something like that over video games. But like I said, video games are okay once in a while.

Yes, because yoga is fun. :roll:

Video games can be a relaxing form of stress relief. You also say friends. What about playing online? There's social aspects to most games (WoW especially), so you benefit from that. Games like BioShock have incredible storylines with meaning.

I think you look at it the wrong way.

Escapes are not good. Never run away from anything. And don't try to be who you aren't. I believe, however, that people can choose what kind of person they want to be.

Why is it bad? Someone's life may be very bad, and they may NEED something like video games to escape.

Gaming IS a hobby. Maybe you don't enjoy it, but I and many others do. It's time well spent if you're having fun. I believe having fun is more important than most things in life, since that is basically the point of life if you ask me.Zaeryn

Like I said, I do enjoy it. Gaming is a hobby that cannot benefit you in the future. There are very few jobs that require skill in video games. Being a video game designer takes so much more skill than being good with video games, and it is extremely difficult to get a job as a video game tester, since so many people would want to be one. It just doesn't help anything. it isn't a good hobby.

[QUOTE="Zaeryn"]Gaming IS a hobby. Maybe you don't enjoy it, but I and many others do. It's time well spent if you're having fun. I believe having fun is more important than most things in life, since that is basically the point of life if you ask me.champion_tyler

Like I said, I do enjoy it. Gaming is a hobby that cannot benefit you in the future. There are very few jobs that require skill in video games. Being a video game designer takes so much more skill than being good with video games, and it is extremely difficult to get a job as a video game tester, since so many people would want to be one. It just doesn't help anything. it isn't a good hobby.

So, you shouldn't do anything that doesn't benefit you as a person?

[QUOTE="champion_tyler"][QUOTE="Luncbox1"][QUOTE="champion_tyler"]

[QUOTE="Ghost_702"]Well as far as I know, i'll only live once and knowing that, i'll do whatever makes me happy. Video games are so much fun for me to play. Yes I could be studying and I do study, but i'm not the type of person that lets books hog up his entire life. Education is important I know, but i'm no nut. I can't just study 24/7. I'm not that type of person. I need to have some fun, hang out with friends, go to movies, go driving around town for fun, play games. I do what I enjoy. gasmaskman

Well now being with friends is much different. It does benefit you (unless your friends are not good infuences). You could play video games with friends, and that could be a way to bond. I have nothing against that. I also understand not always studying. I just think time should be spent doing something that benefits you as a person.

But after a hard day at work/school who the hell wants to improve themselves as a person? Not me. I'll just defeat the Water Temple in Zelda or blast people in Halo 3.

Or read a book or do yoga or something of that sort. Those options can be very relaxing and benefit you. I personally don't read much because I have to spend a lot of time working and doing school. But if I had free time, I would choose something like that over video games. But like I said, video games are okay once in a while.

Yes, because yoga is fun. :roll:

Video games can be a relaxing form of stress relief. You also say friends. What about playing online? There's social aspects to most games (WoW especially), so you benefit from that. Games like BioShock have incredible storylines with meaning.

I think you look at it the wrong way.

True friends. People online are not real friends. Chances are that if you have 30 friends, you have only around 3 who you really know, and who really know and care about you. You can't really strengthen a friendship while you're killing virtual goblins. Storys are good too.....but chances are you'll find better ones in books. Good storys have good characters. Video games rarely have strong characters, though it may seem like it since you may play that character.

[QUOTE="champion_tyler"]

[QUOTE="Zaeryn"]Gaming IS a hobby. Maybe you don't enjoy it, but I and many others do. It's time well spent if you're having fun. I believe having fun is more important than most things in life, since that is basically the point of life if you ask me.gasmaskman

Like I said, I do enjoy it. Gaming is a hobby that cannot benefit you in the future. There are very few jobs that require skill in video games. Being a video game designer takes so much more skill than being good with video games, and it is extremely difficult to get a job as a video game tester, since so many people would want to be one. It just doesn't help anything. it isn't a good hobby.

So, you shouldn't do anything that doesn't benefit you as a person?

Not exactly. There are many things that benefit you, and some of those can also be fun. It's okay to have fun in ways that do not benefit you as a peson, but video games are distructive and can really eat away at time. That is my point.

[QUOTE="Ravirr"][QUOTE="Sefion"]

Im masochistic? ok not really

champion_tyler

Ikaruga is

But its an escape. I don't like being me. Well I do, but sometimes its fun to go out and smash faces. Or something. Get my mind off the real world. It keeps me connected with my brothers, we all have xbox live and we game regularly. Keeps me in contact with friends as tehy got xbox too.

Escapes are not good. Never run away from anything. And don't try to be who you aren't. I believe, however, that people can choose what kind of person they want to be.

We live in an escapist society. Its temporary time when I don't have to worry about micro exams, or my next paycheck, I just get to sit back relax. shoot some people and hang out with friends. I don't hate myself Its just my mental image of me is much more bad *** than I am. Its all good.

[QUOTE="champion_tyler"][QUOTE="Ravirr"][QUOTE="Sefion"]

Im masochistic? ok not really

Ravirr

Ikaruga is

But its an escape. I don't like being me. Well I do, but sometimes its fun to go out and smash faces. Or something. Get my mind off the real world. It keeps me connected with my brothers, we all have xbox live and we game regularly. Keeps me in contact with friends as tehy got xbox too.

Escapes are not good. Never run away from anything. And don't try to be who you aren't. I believe, however, that people can choose what kind of person they want to be.

We live in an escapist society. Its temporary time when I don't have to worry about micro exams, or my next paycheck, I just get to sit back relax. shoot some people and hang out with friends. I don't hate myself Its just my mental image of me is much more bad *** than I am. Its all good.

I understand the desire to temporarily relieve stress. I have even played video games for that reason. But as I said, there are other ways to relax and exercising can be a great stress reliever. Also, it is better to get rid of the stress completely rather than just try to ignore it. If you're stressed about homework over the weekend, get the homework done. See what I'm saying?

Actually playing videogames can help your concentration and it stimulates your mind.. but that's beside the point. I play them to keep me busy when I take a break from working on the farm.1stCommando

It can also improve hand-eye coordination.

Books bore me even if ive read like 6 chapters into itSefion

Books can be boring for me too dude. I just mentioned books because they are good if you don't have work to do. I don't read books for enjoyment much because I always feel like I could be doing something more constructive, like school. Though with video games, that feeling is much worse.

[QUOTE="1stCommando"]Actually playing videogames can help your concentration and it stimulates your mind.. but that's beside the point. I play them to keep me busy when I take a break from working on the farm.ThePlothole

It can also improve hand-eye coordination.

I highly doubt that. Sport or something physical improves it but how does pressing a button improve it?

[QUOTE="Ravirr"][QUOTE="champion_tyler"][QUOTE="Ravirr"][QUOTE="Sefion"]

Im masochistic? ok not really

champion_tyler

Ikaruga is

But its an escape. I don't like being me. Well I do, but sometimes its fun to go out and smash faces. Or something. Get my mind off the real world. It keeps me connected with my brothers, we all have xbox live and we game regularly. Keeps me in contact with friends as tehy got xbox too.

Escapes are not good. Never run away from anything. And don't try to be who you aren't. I believe, however, that people can choose what kind of person they want to be.

We live in an escapist society. Its temporary time when I don't have to worry about micro exams, or my next paycheck, I just get to sit back relax. shoot some people and hang out with friends. I don't hate myself Its just my mental image of me is much more bad *** than I am. Its all good.

I understand the desire to temporarily relieve stress. I have even played video games for that reason. But as I said, there are other ways to relax and exercising can be a great stress reliever. Also, it is better to get rid of the stress completely rather than just try to ignore it. If you're stressed about homework over the weekend, get the homework done. See what I'm saying?

Who says I don't exercise. I run every morning. and I do my homework. Its more than just homework, when I'm competing for 20 spots in a nursing program against 200 students. Its very stressful. So its a lot simplier than you say. I use video games to get away for an hour.

[QUOTE="1stCommando"]Actually playing videogames can help your concentration and it stimulates your mind.. but that's beside the point. I play them to keep me busy when I take a break from working on the farm.ThePlothole

It can also improve hand-eye coordination.

Actually no not really. There is no evidence that I am aware of that shows playing video games strengthens skill with anything except playing video games. It improves your skill with the controller. When it comes to things like ping-pong or basketball, or anything like that...it really doesn't do anything. now if you're talking about a wii, then it may do a little something, but again...not much.

[QUOTE="ThePlothole"]

[QUOTE="1stCommando"]Actually playing videogames can help your concentration and it stimulates your mind.. but that's beside the point. I play them to keep me busy when I take a break from working on the farm.monkeysrfat

It can also improve hand-eye coordination.

I highly doubt that. Sport or something physical improves it but how does pressing a button improve it?

It also helps you notice small details better. cause they are always making us look for crap in games haha

I already finish school work when i come home

(God damn it, a supporter)

[QUOTE="champion_tyler"][QUOTE="Ravirr"][QUOTE="champion_tyler"][QUOTE="Ravirr"][QUOTE="Sefion"]

Im masochistic? ok not really

Ravirr

Ikaruga is

But its an escape. I don't like being me. Well I do, but sometimes its fun to go out and smash faces. Or something. Get my mind off the real world. It keeps me connected with my brothers, we all have xbox live and we game regularly. Keeps me in contact with friends as tehy got xbox too.

Escapes are not good. Never run away from anything. And don't try to be who you aren't. I believe, however, that people can choose what kind of person they want to be.

We live in an escapist society. Its temporary time when I don't have to worry about micro exams, or my next paycheck, I just get to sit back relax. shoot some people and hang out with friends. I don't hate myself Its just my mental image of me is much more bad *** than I am. Its all good.

I understand the desire to temporarily relieve stress. I have even played video games for that reason. But as I said, there are other ways to relax and exercising can be a great stress reliever. Also, it is better to get rid of the stress completely rather than just try to ignore it. If you're stressed about homework over the weekend, get the homework done. See what I'm saying?

Who says I don't exercise. I run every morning. and I do my homework. Its more than just homework, when I'm competing for 20 spots in a nursing program against 200 students. Its very stressful. So its a lot simplier than you say. I use video games to get away for an hour.

Okay, that's fine then. I really do understand. I just don't think it should be allowed to take the place of more important things.

[QUOTE="Ravirr"][QUOTE="champion_tyler"][QUOTE="Ravirr"][QUOTE="champion_tyler"][QUOTE="Ravirr"][QUOTE="Sefion"]

Im masochistic? ok not really

champion_tyler

Ikaruga is

But its an escape. I don't like being me. Well I do, but sometimes its fun to go out and smash faces. Or something. Get my mind off the real world. It keeps me connected with my brothers, we all have xbox live and we game regularly. Keeps me in contact with friends as tehy got xbox too.

Escapes are not good. Never run away from anything. And don't try to be who you aren't. I believe, however, that people can choose what kind of person they want to be.

We live in an escapist society. Its temporary time when I don't have to worry about micro exams, or my next paycheck, I just get to sit back relax. shoot some people and hang out with friends. I don't hate myself Its just my mental image of me is much more bad *** than I am. Its all good.

I understand the desire to temporarily relieve stress. I have even played video games for that reason. But as I said, there are other ways to relax and exercising can be a great stress reliever. Also, it is better to get rid of the stress completely rather than just try to ignore it. If you're stressed about homework over the weekend, get the homework done. See what I'm saying?

Who says I don't exercise. I run every morning. and I do my homework. Its more than just homework, when I'm competing for 20 spots in a nursing program against 200 students. Its very stressful. So its a lot simplier than you say. I use video games to get away for an hour.

Okay, that's fine then. I really do understand. I just don't think it should be allowed to take the place of more important things.

Doesn't really matter what you think. Not to be an *** but if someone chooses video games over exercise, then its their choice.

gaming is just a hobby for me. nothing more nothing less. I dont give a rats butt if it benefits me in the future or not.

I go out, I mountainbike, I work etc. there is enough room for my hobby, games

Case and point, gaming is a hobby. Hobbies don't have to benefit you in the future, they just have to give you a fun way to pass the time doing something you enjoy. I don't see how being a workaholic and straight-laced, for lack of a better term, benefits you aside from the possible monetary gain. If anything, it just makes you uptight and boring.stevenk4k5

As I stated, it doesn't have to be all about getting stuff done. it's about benefiting you as a person. A lot of things can do that, but video games isn't one of them. Now, let's take this thread for instance. I've spent a considerable amount of time posting on this thread. One might see it as not accomplishing anything. It is, however, giving me new perspectives on the subject and causing me to really think about it. So, this thread does benefit me in some way.

i work all day, i read alot, i game alot, i hang out with friends alot, and i post on gamespot alot,

and if we dont buy games, all the time the people spent making them and the time they spent bettering themselves for us would go to waste ;)

[QUOTE="stevenk4k5"]Case and point, gaming is a hobby. Hobbies don't have to benefit you in the future, they just have to give you a fun way to pass the time doing something you enjoy. I don't see how being a workaholic and straight-laced, for lack of a better term, benefits you aside from the possible monetary gain. If anything, it just makes you uptight and boring.champion_tyler

As I stated, it doesn't have to be all about getting stuff done. it's about benefiting you as a person. A lot of things can do that, but video games isn't one of them. Now, let's take this thread for instance. I've spent a considerable amount of time posting on this thread. One might see it as not accomplishing anything. It is, however, giving me new perspectives on the subject and causing me to really think about it. So, this thread does benefit me in some way.

New perspective??? what? your at the same argument you were before...

I was asking to myself that question back in January after 12 hours of continuous play ... Why do I spend so much time playing video games when there are more benefiting hobbies? The very next day I realised that my previous thoughts were blasphemous and turned on my Ps3 again.

Final Fantasy XII by the way

[QUOTE="stevenk4k5"]Case and point, gaming is a hobby. Hobbies don't have to benefit you in the future, they just have to give you a fun way to pass the time doing something you enjoy. I don't see how being a workaholic and straight-laced, for lack of a better term, benefits you aside from the possible monetary gain. If anything, it just makes you uptight and boring.champion_tyler

As I stated, it doesn't have to be all about getting stuff done. it's about benefiting you as a person. A lot of things can do that, but video games isn't one of them. Now, let's take this thread for instance. I've spent a considerable amount of time posting on this thread. One might see it as not accomplishing anything. It is, however, giving me new perspectives on the subject and causing me to really think about it. So, this thread does benefit me in some way.

In that case, videogames benefit me as well. I have played many videogames that made me think in different ways through the use of intricate storylines. The puzzles in the Legend of Zelda series helps improve problem solving skills by making you think outside the box and by using tools to get various tasks done. Videogames in general help me diffuse stress in my life which is beneficial to your wellbeing as a whole.

[QUOTE="champion_tyler"]

[QUOTE="stevenk4k5"]Case and point, gaming is a hobby. Hobbies don't have to benefit you in the future, they just have to give you a fun way to pass the time doing something you enjoy. I don't see how being a workaholic and straight-laced, for lack of a better term, benefits you aside from the possible monetary gain. If anything, it just makes you uptight and boring.Sefion

As I stated, it doesn't have to be all about getting stuff done. it's about benefiting you as a person. A lot of things can do that, but video games isn't one of them. Now, let's take this thread for instance. I've spent a considerable amount of time posting on this thread. One might see it as not accomplishing anything. It is, however, giving me new perspectives on the subject and causing me to really think about it. So, this thread does benefit me in some way.

New perspective??? what? your at the same argument you were before...

Video games have dialouge. Or lots of text that is reading or listening. Listening helps comprehension, or following orders. Text games help you read /thread.

[QUOTE="ThePlothole"]

[QUOTE="1stCommando"]Actually playing videogames can help your concentration and it stimulates your mind.. but that's beside the point. I play them to keep me busy when I take a break from working on the farm.champion_tyler

It can also improve hand-eye coordination.

Actually no not really. There is no evidence that I am aware of that shows playing video games strengthens skill with anything except playing video games. It improves your skill with the controller. When it comes to things like ping-pong or basketball, or anything like that...it really doesn't do anything. now if you're talking about a wii, then it may do a little something, but again...not much.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-04-07-surgeons-video-games_x.htm

Also, since commando mentioned concentration:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2943280.stm

I understand the importance of school,work,exercise etc. Not that real friends stuff though. I prefer to be alone.

Anyway, why should you only focus on those kind of things? People have different opinions on what is important to spend time on, and what they require to be happy.