Tech Spot: The Gaming Epidemic
Matt Libs
Issue date: 2/2/10 Section: Opinion
I always answer the question, "What do you do in your spare time?" honestly. You see, I'm a gamer and I'm proud of it, so I usually respond as such. I'm a geek at heart, so why try and cover it up?
What differs during the conversation about the different leisure activities we participate in, however, is the response I get from someone who doesn't share the same passion. The replies usually range from some judgmental statement about how video games are lame to a half-hearted smile and polite, "Oh, isn't that nice."
According to the Entertainment Software Association's website, 68 percent of American households play computer or video games. Before you claim yourself to be part of the 32 percent that doesn't, think about some of the activities you do in your spare time.
Regardless of whether you play one of the mainstream games such as "World of Warcraft", "Modern Warfare 2" or "Halo 3"; a musical game such as "Rock Band" or "Guitar Hero"; a Facebook game like "Farmville" or "Dope Wars"; or simply play a game on your cell phone, video games are still a part of your life.
True gamers have learned to deal with cynical responses through the years, but they shouldn't have to anymore. The industry has come a long way since the days of Atari, and video games are being used by more people of different ages, sexes and races every day.
ESA also states that from 1999 to 2009, the percentage of Americans over the age of 50 that play video games rose from nine to 25 percent and that the average game player is 35 years old. "Game girls" also get some love, as 40 percent of all gamers are women and the demographic of women 18 and older actually outnumbers boys age 17 and under 34 to 17 percent according to the website.
And games aren't only useful in people's spare time anymore. Video games have exploded into a multi-billion dollar industry in the past decade and the ESA website states that software sales have more than quadrupled since 1996.
Somewhere in the midst of all of these stats lies a lesson that gamers and non-gamers can learn from - anyone can play video games.
There's no need to look down on someone who wants to role-play as a character on a distant planet, go back to the medieval ages and be a knight or sing in a rock band from time to time. Games are an interactive form of entertainment that allow people to step outside of their own world and be someone they normally couldn't be in the real world.
Not everyone can be James Bond, but through video games, people can make decisions and interact as if they were. And they can have fun doing it too.
So, the next time you think about looking down on someone for the simple fact they play video games and are proud to say it, think about the role gaming has in your life. Games are everywhere, so stand up, go out and game.
What differs during the conversation about the different leisure activities we participate in, however, is the response I get from someone who doesn't share the same passion. The replies usually range from some judgmental statement about how video games are lame to a half-hearted smile and polite, "Oh, isn't that nice."
According to the Entertainment Software Association's website, 68 percent of American households play computer or video games. Before you claim yourself to be part of the 32 percent that doesn't, think about some of the activities you do in your spare time.
Regardless of whether you play one of the mainstream games such as "World of Warcraft", "Modern Warfare 2" or "Halo 3"; a musical game such as "Rock Band" or "Guitar Hero"; a Facebook game like "Farmville" or "Dope Wars"; or simply play a game on your cell phone, video games are still a part of your life.
True gamers have learned to deal with cynical responses through the years, but they shouldn't have to anymore. The industry has come a long way since the days of Atari, and video games are being used by more people of different ages, sexes and races every day.
ESA also states that from 1999 to 2009, the percentage of Americans over the age of 50 that play video games rose from nine to 25 percent and that the average game player is 35 years old. "Game girls" also get some love, as 40 percent of all gamers are women and the demographic of women 18 and older actually outnumbers boys age 17 and under 34 to 17 percent according to the website.
And games aren't only useful in people's spare time anymore. Video games have exploded into a multi-billion dollar industry in the past decade and the ESA website states that software sales have more than quadrupled since 1996.
Somewhere in the midst of all of these stats lies a lesson that gamers and non-gamers can learn from - anyone can play video games.
There's no need to look down on someone who wants to role-play as a character on a distant planet, go back to the medieval ages and be a knight or sing in a rock band from time to time. Games are an interactive form of entertainment that allow people to step outside of their own world and be someone they normally couldn't be in the real world.
Not everyone can be James Bond, but through video games, people can make decisions and interact as if they were. And they can have fun doing it too.
So, the next time you think about looking down on someone for the simple fact they play video games and are proud to say it, think about the role gaming has in your life. Games are everywhere, so stand up, go out and game.
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