Are Video Games Addictive?

[Jason Tandro]

This is not a topic for the Debate Forum, as I believe we can all agree that Video Games are addictive. This article was just something I found.

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"Studies show that the excitement of video games makes playing them addictive. Parents of preteens hardly find this surprising.
Ask any preteen how they love to spend their spare time, and chances are you'll get an earful about video games. But why do they love them so? Are they addictive? According to some studies it would appear that the excitement of video games causes the brain to release a chemical that is, in essence, addictive. For any parent who has seen the fervor by which some kids play video games, this news is no surprise.

What makes these games so addictive? Media literacy specialist, Dr. Charles Ungerleider explains that "they're very compelling with increasing complexity, so a child becomes more facile, yet wants to know more and apply new skills." While wanting to improve their game isn't a problem in itself, it becomes one if video games are "taking a youngster away too much from other activities," says Ungerleider. "Then the parent has to intervene and limit the amount of time the youngster spends with the video game."

Professor of Computer Science, Maria Klavee feels video games, if not too violent, can "offer some real opportunities for puzzle solving, strategic and critical thinking". But she adds that it's important that video and computer games are played in moderation. Klavee says parents should "provide a selection of activities, not just the ones that have the most action or are addictive. Choose some that involve problem solving or good story lines. Also aim for a balance in your child's life. Sports are important, reading's important. Just think of computer games as one more component in a child's exploration of what's out there in society."

As for addiction? Ungerleider believes that "a parent can prevent youngsters from becoming addicted to too much TV or too many video games by establishing a pattern of selective viewing or by using video game material early in a child's life so that by the time a youngster gets to be an adolescent and there's very little surveillance or control, it's less likely to occur."

Finally, Ungerleider remind parents that "if a youngster becomes addicted to video games it can be a problem and the parent does need to intervene and provide attractive alternatives."

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So what game do we know of that has complex and critical thinking involved? Puzzle solving? Good storyline?

tay, I believe this is your department.

[EverPhoenix]

lol. well obviously they are addictive. if they werent, they wouldnt sell.

and id argue the storyline point about "tay's department" - a tad generic, not to mention recycled. still makes for some damn good time-killing though

[Freedan]

Video games are often dismissed as mindless, bloody entertainment for kids, leading to a sedentary lifestyle. But the people who come to those conclusions are usually those who don't know the first thing about them. They hear about that popular "Halos" thing, or "Grand Thief Auto", and find out they have guns in them, and assume kids just like shooting things.

This article has it right. Games can be pretty good for kids. I would suggest that a game with a great story can be like reading a book. Except games include puzzles and such for the kid to figure out along the way.

Every kid should play Tetris. Hell, every kid probably has played it. That's a game for reflexes, problem solving and future planning.

[psychokind]

games are addictive, also are sports, coffee and solarium.

only the fool gets addicted, nothing can make a willpowered person addicted (except heroin)!

[Mantaray]

video games and TV taught me more english than school ever did and vocabulary that a lot of kids didnt know at the time, like "pub" and "archeologist" and "engage"

it helps with puzzle-solving, and creativity..

although i have to admit that games with only violence are less addicting since they lack depth in any way whatsoever. still, yay gore!!

[tay120n64]

Jason Tandro wrote:

So what game do we know of that has complex and critical thinking involved? Puzzle solving? Good storyline? tay, I believe this is your department.

Tomb Raider

Why? What did you think I was going to say?

[inferiare]

tay120n64 wrote:

Jason Tandro wrote: So what game do we know of that has complex and critical thinking involved? Puzzle solving? Good storyline? tay, I believe this is your department. Tomb Raider Why? What did you think I was going to say?

Oh snap son. I am disappoint.

[Jason Tandro]

rainichan wrote:

tay120n64 wrote: Jason Tandro wrote: So what game do we know of that has complex and critical thinking involved? Puzzle solving? Good storyline? tay, I believe this is your department. Tomb Raider Why? What did you think I was going to say? Oh snap son. I am disappoint.

You got me, Tay. I would say my department is Final Fantasy, yours is Zelda. You a Tomb Raider-o-phile too?

[tay120n64]

Sarcasm is lost on you people

(but for the record I only like the new Tomb Raiders, and Anniversary was VERY HARD)

[Jason Tandro]

tay120n64 wrote:

Sarcasm is lost on you people

I caught the sarcasm. I was just clarifying.

[EverPhoenix]

Jason Tandro wrote:

You got me, Tay. I would say my department is Final Fantasy, yours is Zelda.

i didnt realise you were so big on the FF games.

and ill claim Pokemon as my forte.

[NoZKeY]

Hey people, are you forgetting something?
Doesn't Terranigma have some puzzle solving parts? And helping the cities to grow...

And i learned a lot because of Terranigma (you know, Colon, Bell, Eddy... Gaia... oh wait, gaia isn't real!?... )

LOL tay... i knew you like Tomb Raider more than Zelda!! That was pretty Obvious

[Jason Tandro]

EverPhoenix wrote:

i didnt realise you were so big on the FF games.

Well... I don't know.

I've played Final Fantasy I and every other numeral game from IV-XII (except XI). Of those, the only one I've yet to beat is XII (and 4, but I'm at the end).

I've beaten Crisis Core, Dirge of Cerberus and seen Advent Children
I've read a transcript of Revenant Wings once (because my broke ass can't afford no DS).
I currently own game scripts to ALL the numeral final fantasy's.

I've played three different ports of Final Fantasy Tactics.
I've played Tactics Advance.

I'm a member of the Final Fantasy Wiki.

I write copious fanfiction for Final Fantasy VII-X.

I am novelizing Final Fantasy VII.

I am one of the few who have composed their own Final Fantasy Timeline.


So yeah, EP, I'm a Final Fantasy nut.

[EverPhoenix]

lol. well ive played 4, 6-x2

so not quite that number. and without any of the addon games or fanart that you have.

and im on ff wiki more than youtube...

[tay120n64]

NoZKeY wrote:

LOL tay... i knew you like Tomb Raider more than Zelda!! That was pretty Obvious

Nah. The only series I like more than Zelda is Kirby.

Although... Mario, Bomberman, (new)Tomb Raider, Pokemon, Sonic, Mega Man, & Kingdom Hearts are other series I am nearly equally obsessed with.

Not a big Final Fantasy fan myself (only played VI & VII), but due to the immense number of friends I have who are, I know just as much as most hardcore fans.