Video games are played by children and adults because they are made to attract us. Preferably even addictive.
WHAT ARE VIDEO GAMES?
Video games are generally classified as entertainment media, such as movies, books, series, and so on. They differ from the others mainly in interactivity and thus user activities. Because of this ability, video games have the right to present certain stories in a way that no other medium possesses. So as a kind of unfinished medium, which concludes with its entry or. it is managed only by the player.
Video games can be divided into many genres and subgenres, and genres in video games do not only depend on the story itself and the way we present the story (recording method, etc.). In video games, it is also important how we play the game (perspective, way of controlling the character / characters, difficulty, complexity, interaction with other players, etc.). So we get genres like action, strategy, adventure, sports, role-playing games, simulations, and so on. Action can be further divided into platformers, "shooters", fighting games, survival games, etc. Games can also be divided into those that we play alone (single player) and those we play with others (multiplayer). Games also have a variety of focuses such as storytelling, decision making, logical thinking, strategic thinking, multitasking, competition, collaboration, making and playing a character, presenting new worlds, and more. The result of such diversity is a wide target audience, which is growing from year to year and does not consist only of children and adolescents, as the stereotype says. The average age of someone playing games in 2016 was 35 years. The growth of the gaming industry is greatly influenced by the smartphone industry, which brings games closer to those who do not play them otherwise.
Video games oz. the hobby of playing video games is often misunderstood and sometimes ridiculed by those who do not play games. If we take the example of a group "shooter" (eg Counter-Strike: Global Offensive), we will very quickly notice the differences between players and observers. In people who do not play games, ie observers, we will often hear words such as violence, shooting, horror, addiction, waste of time, etc. Players will describe such a game with words such as cooperation, fun, competition, group work, tactics, etc. I think it is important that both sides are aware of the other side's perspective and that they also take it into account with a certain understanding. It is true that games can have severe consequences for the individual (addiction, health problems, social isolation, etc.) if overused, but with moderate use we can also gain a lot (socializing, cooperation, entertainment, etc.).
Video games can be differentiated according to the device we use, or according to different types. In any case, playing games has many advantages, but also disadvantages. When playing, we face many risks, such as violence, inappropriate content, purchases, intrusions, theft, malware, and the like. Due to inappropriate content, it is especially important to pay attention to what age the game is suitable for, with the help of the PEGI tag, which also explains to us what it is that makes the game unsuitable for a particular age group.
TYPES OF VIDEO GAMES:
-computer games
-console games
-mobile games
-free or chargeable
-Games are also divided into genres or genres. There are many types of games (action, strategy, mental, arcade, role-playing games, simulations, etc.), but these genres are often intertwined and some games cannot be assigned a single genre. With advances in game development, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between them, as each game contains the characteristics of several genres.
For younger children, the best games are those that encourage creativity, learning and make it easy to play and are not too demanding. For children under the age of 10, it is especially recommended that they play single-player games rather than multiplayer because of the many risks that multiplayer games pose.
Teenagers up to the age of 18 are already able to play more demanding games, and multiplayer games for teenagers are a good choice as they encourage team spirit and collaboration with others. Older children also find it easier to tolerate a certain amount of violence and more controversial topics, as they perceive them completely differently than younger children.
Positive effects of playing video games:
Video games enable socializing between players, especially multiplayer games connect people and enable and encourage socializing. Through games we can learn how to solve problems effectively, which can then help us in professional life as well. Playing games develops imagination, reflexes, ingenuity, quick decision making and other skills and allows for experimentation.
Negative effects of playing video games:
Adult actors are able to distinguish real life from fiction, and children find it harder to distinguish fantasy life from real. Therefore, they are more subject to the influences of games, such as a misconception about the human body (characters in games that are overly sexualized), unrealistic depictions of violence, which, however, can also be transferred to real life.Because games allow you to connect players and socialize online, this can also lead to a feeling of loneliness in real life, as real, real contact with people can suffer. Excessive gaming can be especially problematic, as it affects all other aspects of life. The downside of games is also the promotion of a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to lack of exercise, obesity and other related health problems.Because many games require an Internet connection, players are also exposed to various online risks, such as online violence, unwanted contact with strangers, intrusions, data theft, and the like.
Not all games are harmful.
However, it is necessary to be aware that there are not only violent computer games. In fact, there are several genres present among the games themselves. That's how we know:
Action computer games; the main challenge is to demonstrate physical strength and ability. The action game is time-limited, which means that the player must be collected and responsive at all times. Games encourage eye-hand coordination.
Adventure computer games; the main challenge is solving puzzles and exploring. It is usually a story that the actor learns gradually by solving puzzles and complications. Games like this stimulate curiosity and creative thinking.
Mind computer games; the challenge is for the player to play against the computer or connect with friends and play with or against them. These are board games that encourage quick and logical thinking.
Role playing games; the challenge is for the actor to empathize with the character he is playing and live some other life within the virtual world. The characteristic of these games is that they usually have no end, but in modern times it is mainly about playing negative characters, warriors and the like.
Simulation computer games; they mimic real life, e.g. driving a car or playing social relationships.Features include hand-eye coordination, and response to change (social games).
Strategy computer games; they are usually made on the basis of historical events. Through fun and thinking, they ensure the completion of the game. The player is usually a third party and has control over everything that happens.
Sports computer games; it is about games with team and individual sports. The player chooses a character, the others are controlled by a computer. Games promote precision, precision, and physical and organizational skills.
Why do video games cause addiction?
Video games have certain properties that are also found in other addictive substances. Virtual worlds not only draw the individual in, but also encourage him to spend as much time there as possible by rewarding and progressing through the stages. Because anyone can turn into a hero in them, they present the actors with a way of proving that is unattainable, unrealistic for many in the real world.Playing also releases the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is the body's natural reward system. As a result, video games can also cause similar feelings as the use of strong stimulants, such as cocaine.
Video game addiction rarely shows up while playing, but especially when the child does not have access to a personal computer, console or mobile device with games. If the child's day does not revolve around the play session, but it is only one of the daily activities, the parents probably (yet) have no reason to worry too much.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR CHILD IS DEPENDENT ON VIDEO GAMES?
-anger, introversion, and lack of motivation Problems arise when games begin to represent the peak of the period between waking up in the morning and going to bed in the evening. These are the most common signs that games have begun to take control of a child’s life.
-Altered behavior: When not having access to games, the child is bored, irritable, or even hostile to parents, siblings, and friends. He experiences the events during the game very intensely, even aggressively.
-Lack of motivation: A child or teenager addicted to video games will lose interest in other hobbies, toys, or sports. Learning success also often suffers, as learning replaces thinking about the next game session. Sometimes he stops caring about personal hygiene.
-Backward social interaction: avoidance of activities with family or friends, poorer networking at school.
-Health problems: headaches, tingling in the eyes, pain in the neck, back, chest, wrists, restless sleep. Less exercise can also lead to being overweight.
In fact, today's children, in the developed world, can sit at a computer from an early age. According to research, the main activity of children is playing computer games. And who gives them access? Who leads them in their first steps to the virtual world? Who further controls and directs them? We, the parents, are the ones who are responsible for the behavior of our children. We are obliged to monitor the child's actions on the computer and other media. It is necessary to be aware that not all computer games are intended for children, and it is the parents who must establish the basic rules.
The worst thing is to let your child get tired of games. Only a few. "Let him play, at least he won't do stupid things. One day he'll get tired of it anyway," is a big mistake that quite a few parents make. Although an overly permissive attitude toward a child’s interaction with video games sometimes has no consequences, ignoring the signs described above and hoping that “games” will one day outgrow it can lead to severe addiction, in which the adolescent may lose touch with reality. seek the help of an expert. As with most things in life, therefore, try to follow the principles of moderation when dosing video game time.
Thank you for reading my post.
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In my opinion, moderation is the answer in everything, even in this. I am not a supporter of children playing games at an early age, but later on it is simply impossible to ban, and I don't think it is necessary. Of course, the parent should have an insight into everything that the child does on the Internet, as well as determine the time he spends on it.