Why Video Games Are Bad For You

No, there's no typo in the title.  Video games are bad for you.  Now, they're also good for you, but that's not why you and I are here today.  There are plenty of dangers associated with playing video games, and it would be stubborn for someone like me to not recognize and address them.  Again, I'm gonna try writing with little to no research done today.  I've seen videos and read articles on topics like this, so I will try to recall what knowledge I can, but for the most part, this is just the way that I see things.  Whether you agree or disagree with what I write, the important thing to accomplish today is to put these ideas into your mind to give you a fair chance to assess them on your own.

I think that the root of all of the possible problems we're about to address is relative to the interactive nature of video games.  While movies are very detached for the viewer, and books are a little more attached, neither medium reaches the level of interactivity that video games create.  This interactivity is part of what makes video games good and fun; also, part of what can make them bad and dangerous.  As we continue, interactivity will be the biggest facet of gaming that we cover as we look to the possible detriments of playing video games.

Let's first look at the elephant in the 2013 room.  With the tragedy in Newtown still on the minds of many, gun laws and regulations have become an extremely hot topic in today's society.  Some want to see guns banned, some want to see gun purchases limited, but others (including some outspoken folks in the NRA) would like to see regulations implemented on interactive media (video games).   Though extensive research has yet to show any correlation between video games and violent behavior, the leaders of several organizations continue to point at video games as the leading cause, demanding further research take place.  I don't really blame them for trying to place the blame on video games.  Not only have we seen this in past generations with other "new" media at the time (for instance, the rebellious punk rock music of the 60's), but until this generation, we'd never really seen game franchises like Call of Duty make first-person shooting feel so... real. 

While no correlations have been found between gun violence and video games, research has shown suggestions of a correlation between video games and aggressive behavior.  If you've played any competitive multi-player video game online, this should come as no surprise, as the nerd rage and trash-talking can reach unbelievable levels, not to mention the desire for some players to rack up more kills than their teammates, regardless of winning or losing.  This, in my mind, is what researchers should be diving into more deeply, as building aggressive habits can probably generate some unfortunate responses in social situations.

Let's jump to something else.  The majority of us find ourselves bogged down by procrastination at one point or another.  When we procrastinate, we tend to reach for our comfort activity, or the hobby that gives us consistent joy.  For me and many others, that activity/hobby is playing video games.  Again, due to the interactive nature of the medium, I think that video games are a more concerning procrastination tool than, say, watching TV.  We've all heard stories of those kids who play World of Warcraft like a full-time job, eschewing sleep in favor of leveling their character up.  The game Second Life has become so big and so interactive that people are using it as their full-time job (we even had our first Second Life millionaire not too long ago).  Both games have avenues for making real money, but both also remain as tools to escape real life and to dive into something different. 

Video games present beautiful, expansive alternate worlds like what we can get from books and movies, but they also allow us to live in those worlds, to feel a deeper sense of belonging to it through the ways that we can interact with the world through our characters.  This is a quality about video games that is impossible to match for movies, TV, and books, and thus, what sets video games apart as a powerful (and potentially dangerous) procrastination tool.

Wow... are video games evil?  Not so fast.  Remember, today's post is meant to get your mind going, and to alert you to some of these dangers if you've not thought about them before.  Awareness is a powerful tool in itself, so having awareness of these dangers can help you to avoid succumbing to them.

But as I've learned over the years, awareness is one thing; action is entirely different.  In a future post, I'll dive into my personal experiences with these dangers of video games and perhaps, in sharing, I will help to increase your awareness and your will to act as well.  How do we avoid these things?  Force yourself to act.  If you ever find yourself playing a game online and becoming angered or aggressive, sit back, and remind yourself that it's just a game, and so little is at stake that concerning yourself with it is futile.  If you find yourself putting off important things to play "just one more mission", then the next time you start playing, set an alarm on your phone so you can keep track of the time.

There are many other ways to act as well, but knowledge of the dangers is worthless unless you put solutions into action.

Next time, let's venture back to the positive side of things and dive a little deeper into why video games are good for you.  Thanks for reading, and see you then!

What Playing Games Means To Me

Well then, it's been much too long since I've been here, hasn't it?  Exactly one month and ten days have passed since I last wrote anything.  Gotta imagine that my writing skills are off by now.  Or maybe the break made them better.  You'll have to read to find out, right?

To get back on the right footing, I thought I'd dive into some personal feelings in this post.  Perhaps I'm just failing at finding a decent topic to write about (OK, not perhaps; I am), but I've realized that I'll never get to writing again unless I, well, start writing again.  Ooh look, two paragraphs in and I'm already throwing deep thoughts at you.

Even if you're simply a reader of my blog and don't know me that well, you can probably tell that games are a huge influence on my life.  I'm not just talking video games, but board games, card games, and sports are certainly a part of this mix.  Not a day goes by where I don't play a game.  It might be a video game that I get to spend an hour or two on to relax.  It could be a mind game that my teacher presents to me in class.  It might be a round of Angry Birds on my phone while I wait for something scheduled to get going.  Any instance where I get to play a game holds strong meaning for me.

I suggested that I like to sit down and play video games to "relax", but my mind is hardly relaxing when I play them.  In fact, many video games today are about split-second decisions that can snowball together and determine the outcome.  Video games are a part of my life almost everyday because they are, in a sense, exercise for my mind.  My friends have heard me remark that "If I didn't have to sleep, I wouldn't."  This is because I enjoy engaging my mind so much, which is why I enjoy playing video games.  Now, I've played video games for years and years; there are certain split-second decisions that are almost second nature and don't require much thought. 

Move the stick left.  Press the B button.  These things become ingrained with practice.  Am I using my brain when I'm executing these inherent actions?  I'm sure some cognitive science majors have more insight to this than I do, but I would think that as time wears on, those actions that we get used to become more "mindless".  But this is the beauty of the video game world.  Video games offer so many different types of stimulation, from heart-pounding action that keeps you on the edge of your seat to heartfelt stories that stay with you for a long time.  Some games are built to be art, to express imagery that is meant to make the player question what they know.  Some games are meant to be competitive, to nourish that innate desire that we all have to accomplish goals.

One of the primary ways that I keep in touch with my friends is through online gaming services such as League of Legends and Steam.  A lot of my friends also play games as a hobby, so it's likely that here and there, we'll see each other online and say a hello.  Occasionally, we'll also play a game together online.  Video games not only stimulate my mind and feed my competitive edge, but they've become a powerful social avenue as well.  I don't know that I would keep in touch with these friends as well if it weren't for online gaming services.

As much as I love video games, my favorite kind of games are "tabletop" games: board games and card games.  Here, we get as much of an opportunity to use our minds and feed our competitive desires as we do in electronic space.  Sometimes, if you're playing a longer, more deeply involved game, stories and creativity can really play into the game as well.  Undoubtedly, the social aspect of tabletop games is stronger than you get with video games, just as having lunch with somebody has greater meaning than chatting with them online.

I have so many memories from the games I've played.  I remember the very first time I played the board game 7 Wonders.  I remember the poker games I used to have with my friends in high school, and in college.  I remember playing Halo with 10+ guys over a network.  I remember the video game stories that really drew me in: the Mass Effect series, Final Fantasy X.  I remember the confusion I had to deal with when sorting out the events of Spec Ops: The Line.  I remember being able to share memories of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time with other friends who have played it.

But gaming has never been just about the game.  It's the stories we hear, whether from a game or a friend.  It's the laughs we have, over events in the game or jokes we share.  It's the thoughts we're forced to deal with when we come upon a decision, whether it's chasing the right enemy or choosing the right response in a game's conversation.

Playing games will always carry a strong meaning in my life.  From moment to moment, I might not remember what I just did, but it's those great experiences within that I get to keep with me for the rest of my life.

Free Games For The Win! Part 2

2012 was another landmark year in gaming.  The details, from the audio to the video to the controls, are all reaching higher standards with each passing month.  The next generation of gaming started with Nintendo's Wii-U, and the evolution of gaming as an art was evident in games such as Journey and Spec Ops: The Line.  One of the biggest trends from 2012 was the rise of free-to-play gaming.  League of Legends, a game I mentioned in the last "Free Games" entry, has become the most-played game in the world, averaging 12 million active players... daily.  However, the rise in free games wasn't just for the hardcore; games in the mobile realm also experienced a meteoric rise in quality as the year went on.

Today I'm going to present to you some more free games I've found across the Internet.

Jetpack Joyride - http://halfbrick.com/our-games/jetpack-joyride/

Let's start off with a free game that you can put on your phone and enjoy.  Available for iOS and Android, Jetpack Joyride has actually been around for a pretty long time.  I'm not sure that it's been free this whole time, but this lovely little game from the makers of Fruit Ninja is a short, simple game that involves avoiding obstacles, collecting coins, and getting as far as you can to the right before you get hit and crash.  It's a fun little distraction, and I can certainly see it having some long-term appeal for those of you who are score junkies.  Everyone should check out Jetpack Joyride.

Star Wars: The Old Republic - http://www.swtor.com/

The number of free MMORPG's available these days is staggering, but you'll find no other with a developer like BioWare on board.  Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) started as a typical pay-to-play game, like World of Warcraft, but eventually evolved their model to follow the majority of the market because of its inability to compete with WoW and Guild Wars 2.  However, this does not mean it's an inferior game.  It's a few years old now, and some of the qualities of the game will show that, but for no fee (except if you want to pay a bit to get some of the add-ons), it's hard to find an experience that matches the quality of this game.  One of the beauties of this game that separate it from other MMORPG's is its appeal as a single-player experience.  BioWare is known for single-player masterpieces such as the Mass Effect series; they bring that pedigree to create an expansive world with what many consider to be the best story line in any multiplayer RPG on the market today.  It's a hefty download but if you've been looking for a role-playing game with a story to dive into, look no further than the no-cost experience that is SWTOR.

Kingdom Rush - http://www.kingdomrush.com/

Kingdom Rush is available online on websites like Kongregate.com and in the mobile app market.  This is a tower defense game involving different types of towers with different strengths that you can upgrade to have even more power as the game progresses.  The game increases in difficulty as you progress (like most other games), but also provides extra challenges to complete once you've gotten through most of the levels.  There are a lot of free tower defense games online worth checking out (including Bloons TD, also available on Kongregate), but I think that Kingdom Rush is the most polished of them all and provides a good amount of variety and activity to keep players continuing.  The artwork and the style of play also make it pretty accessible for all, as it isn't just little pixels moving across a screen.  The paths are clear, the monsters look like monsters, and your heroes look like the army you'd have when... your kingdom... gets rushed.  Had to be done.  Again, Kingdom Rush is available on mobile devices but can also be found online.

A few more games I'd like to mention: Planetside 2 is quickly becoming a very popular multiplayer shooter.  The game involves holding and controlling points by working with other people in temporary squads and battalions to take control of these points for your faction.  It's available for free in several places, including Steam.  The Company of Myself is an older but still very playable game available on Kongregate.com.  It's a pretty deep phase-based puzzle game that also sends a strong message within the art.

Once again, if you have any other suggestions, feel free to post them up.  There are literally thousands and thousands of free games out there; you've just got to find them and give them a shot, and you'll eventually find what you're looking for.  Happy gaming, everyone!

NFL Playoff Predictions

Yes, my friends, it is that time once again.  It is time for me to settle in and give you my predictions for this year's NFL playoffs.  You know, there's always parity in the league, but this year, all 12 teams seem to have a legitimate shot of going all the way and thus, predicting the outcomes is gonna be even harder.  Well, it's not like I get these 100% (or even 50%) right, so let's take a stab at it anyway.

Wild Card Round:

Seattle Seahawks at Washington Redskins: RG3 and Alfred Morris have brought the Redskins fans back to life.  Russell Wilson is helping lead the most complete team in football right now.  The Seahawks didn't play well against the Rams in week 17, and the Redskins put up a nice performance against the Cowboys to earn this spot.  Because of their respective week 17 performances and the fact that this game is in Washington, I have to go with the Redskins, 20-17.

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers: Adrian Peterson is a beast.  Nine yards shy of the NFL record and if there was even a minute more on the clock, the record might've been broken.  Week 17 was a close one, but remember that about a month ago, AP ran for 210 against Green Bay and the Vikings still lost.  Christian Ponder just isn't good enough to get it done; Aaron Rodgers definitely is, especially with Greg Jennings returning back to form.  Green Bay wins, 24-13.

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans: The Seahawks might be the most balanced team in football, but the Bengals aren't far behind right now with their solid offense and top-10 defense.  Houston has stumbled into the playoffs, losing three of their last four games.  Matt Schaub has to show up big for the Texans to have a chance.  Lately, the Bengals have looked better on both sides of the ball, and so I'm willing to take the upset here: Cincinnati wins, 24-23.

Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore is decimated on the defensive side of the ball, but they're still finding ways to compete and win.  Will the "Chuck Strong" magic continue for Andrew Luck and the Colts?  The Ravens will win if they keep feeding Ray Rice the ball; Joe Flacco has a strong arm but Rice is, without a doubt, the best offensive player on that team.  I can see the Colts getting ahead early and Baltimore abandoning Ray Rice too soon.  The Colts win, 31-21.

Divisional Round:

Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons: Coming off of a hard-fought win against Seattle, the Redskins go to Atlanta to take on a Falcons team looking to prove themselves.  Matt Ryan and company have always looked good in the regular season, but have yet to show strength in postseason play.  Despite having the best record in the NFC, you'll be hard-pressed to find any expert predictions that have the Falcons representing the NFC in the Super Bowl.  I'll take Atlanta in this game, 34-27.

Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers: Defense wins championships, which is why the 49ers are always in the thick of things.  Green Bay doesn't have a very strong defense, but they have an offensive juggernaut quarterback who has a Super Bowl ring and would love to earn another.  Last year was heartbreaking for the 49ers after a stroke of bad luck caused them to lose to the eventual champion New York Giants.  The Packers defense has shown that they can't stop good running backs, and Frank Gore is one of the best.  San Fran wins, 24-16.

Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos: It's safe to say that Peyton Manning and the Broncos are the favorites to win the Super Bowl.  The Bengals are hard-nosed and tough, but Peyton knows how to finesse his way through these types of defenses.  The Denver defensive stars will control the Bengals offense, and this one won't be close.  Denver wins, 31-10.

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots: Well look, it's another classic Colts vs. Patriots matchup.  Or is it?  This is a very different team from the team the Patriots are used to seeing.  Don't be surprised to see the Colts put up 7-14 early points on New England.  Then, however, Tom Brady and company will bog down and take the game back over.  This will end in another landslide score as Brady and Manning prep to meet again in the AFC championship.  New England wins, 37-17.

Conference Championships

San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons: Most people will be more excited for the Broncos/Patriots showdown, but this game shouldn't be ignored.  There are big playmakers on both sides of the ball, and I think we'll see them make those big plays in this one.  The 49ers will run the ball often as they look to slow down the Falcons at home, and playaction passing will net Colin Kaepernick some big plays downfield, whether with his feet or his arm.  Atlanta really wants to get to that Super Bowl to prove they can hang with the big boys but just like San Francisco last year, Atlanta will learn that they gotta take the heartbreak and come back stronger next year.  San Fran wins, 27-25.

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos: We know one thing: the weather is gonna be cold.  One constant with any Manning v Brady matchup is that the game comes down to someone not named Manning or Brady.  When you look at both offenses together, there are two big playmakers: Demaryius Thomas for Denver and Rob Gronkowski for New England.  I think the Gronk and Wes Welker will jumble Denver's defensive packages and beat them through the middle of the field, and I think that New England's defense holds up just enough to contain these young Denver wide receivers.  New England wins, 24-21.

Super Bowl XLVII

San Francisco 49ers vs. New England Patriots: Perhaps I didn't make objective predictions here, because this is actually the Super Bowl combination I most want to see.  The 49ers are the hard-nosed, confident team, ready to physically dominate the game.  The Patriots are the wily old veterans: they've been here before and they know what it takes to win the big one.  I expect this game to start out in San Fran's favor.  They'll run the ball over and over and wear down this Patriots D.  They'll make big plays on defense early, and they'll get ahead by two touchdowns.  However, we know that you can never count out New England and that Brady-led offense.  New England will storm back and have everyone shaking their heads: "Oh no, not again, not New England again..."  San Francisco can bring the kind of pass rush that the New York Giants have used to beat Brady in the Super Bowl (twice), but the Patriots will come in understanding that, and the genius Belichick will find a way to beat it.  This game will keep everyone on the edge of their seat for the fourth quarter and... the Patriots will squeak it out when whoever San Fran's kicker is misses the game-winning field goal at the end of the game.  New England wins the Super Bowl, 27-25.

I certainly wasn't accurate last year, so we'll see how I do this year.  Enjoy the games!