Extra Post: Video Games and Stress

Martyn Hawley, author of understandingstress.blogspot.com, recently wrote this about video games and stress

Gaming helps ease stress:

 

Whether hardcore or causal; almost everybody has played a video game at one point or another. It’s widely believed that gaming has a negative influence on children; especially violent video games. However many studies over the past few years have led many people to now see gaming as a great stress buster.

“Many children are playing video games to manage their feelings, including anger and stress. Children who play violent games are more likely to play to get their anger out” (N.A , 2007).

Children and young adults alike take out all their anxiety in the virtual rather than the real one; this is a much safer way to handle anger issues as well.

Gaming gives you a sense of accomplishment:

We feel really good when we complete a task. Completion of a task can range from real life situations (example: college, work, ect.) to beating a video game.

““A chemical reaction occurs in any humans brain when a goal is achieved, the brain releases serotonin, a chemical that relives stress in the body.”. By playing a video game and completing a level not only does the video game itself reward you for this achievement but our brains as well reward us for finding a solution to a problem we are faced” (Lynn P, 2012).

Gaming achievement is linked to our brain just like any other accomplishment. Next time you’re feeling stressed out then take advice from Lynn and “sit down, and pick up a controller and escape into a virtual world.”

References:

Nauert PhD, R. (2007). Video Game Lowers Stress Hormone. Psych Central. Retrieved on December 5, 2012, from

http://psychcentral.com/news/2007/10/24/video-game-lowers-stress-hormone/1446.html

Lynn P. (2012). Stress a Video Games… A Videogame Canon. Retrieved on December 6, 2012, from http://canon.umwblogs.org/2012/11/29/stress-a-video-games/

N.A. (2007). Violent Video Games Help Kids Manage Stress. Science 2.0. Retrieved on December 6, 2012, from http://www.science20.com/news_articles/violent_video_games_help_kids_manage_stress-2511

An Interview on Online Interaction

For my final blog post, I interviewed a long time friend about what he thinks about video games and how things have changed since he was a child. Adam W. was a professional gamer who has participated in  video game competitions playing the PC shooter, Counter-Strike.  He was game experience as a manager at a game store. Now, Adam is married and a father of a four-year-old and his priorities in life have shifted.


VGI: How often did you play games when you were a Professional Gamer?

AW: When I first started, I played around 4 hours on school days. On the weekends and during the summer I played for at least 8 hours a day. The summer I pretty much played all day. At first it started of as just for fun and then it quickly escalated into playing with the best players in the world for 5 years.



VGI: You played Counter-Strike as a teenager, would you let your son play the game?

AW: (Laughs) Well my son is four so I don't think he can grasp what would be going on in the game. He sometimes watches me play Halo and I have let him press buttons on the controller. I think that video game violence is not an issue as long as you teach your children values and that video games are not real. I think poor parenting is a greater issue than video game violence.

 
VGI: What games do you let your child play by himself?

AW: I let him play any E rated game. I follow the ESRB rating system unless I play with him. I know the games that I play with him are ok for him because I am right there with him the whole time. One game that I he plays with me is Castle Crashers, which has some blood but it is cartoon violence. He also really enjoys playing Skylanders. I would have played it if I was a kid.


VGI: I find it weird how some of the children that I work with play both Skylanders and then talk about how much they love to play Modern Warfare 3.  What games did you play as a child? 

AW: I did play Doom when I was younger but I really didn't like it. I actually did not like fighting and shooting games until I was much older.  My mind was in a completely different place back then.


VGI: Do you think parents don't pay enough attention to what games their children are playing?

AW: Unfortunately, I think there is an issue were parents let games become their childs babysitter.  Parents are not involved enough and should sit down and monitor what their children are doing, regardless of what media they are using. I think a big issue is children can play games like Modern Warfare 3 and hear inappropriate things.


VGI: So the issue isn't really with the games themselves, just with the other people who are playing these games?

 AW: Yes, a child can be exposed to many dangerous things just by playing a competitive game online with voice chat.  I have heard some horrible things and I don't think my child should hear that.  There is a reason why it says online interaction cannot be rated on the box of a game.


VGI: I think that is understandable, I have heard some offensive things while playing online and I do not think it is a safe thing for children.

 AW: When a child hears inappropriate things from adults, online or in person, children pick up on these things and they think it is okay unless someone tells them otherwise. I don't think kids should play online games that have voice chat at least until they are a teenager.


 

Video Game Violence Harmful to Children?

Recently, I was asked if I could do a post on how video games can be harmful to children. 
The first thing I went to research was violence in video games because it is the most talked about problem in the video game industry. Parents are worried that their children will be exposed to violence and sex in games and that they will then go on to mimic the actions that they see. However, the results of my research showed that violence more than likely does not influence children.

Craig Anderson and Brad Bushman's article, Effects of violent video games, says that playing violent video games does increase aggression among adolescence (Anderson & Bushman, 2001). Also, the article tries to link video game violence with school shootings such as the attack on Columbine (Anderson & Bushman,2001).  When I read the article I questioned it because if video games lead to such things as school shootings then wouldn't there be more instances were this happens?  According to multiple sources, as video games have become more popular, violence has actually decreased (Kain,2012).  As I continued my research, I found these articles that disagree with Anderson and Bushman's findings:

• The Journal of Pediatrics  
• Grandtheftchildhood.com
• Sage Journals   
• Media Violence and Aggression

  Overall, I believe that the media has sensationalized video game violence and that they should focus on other issues within video games, such as online interaction.  Please leave your comments below on what you think about video game violence. Also, be sure to check out my next blog which focuses on online interaction.

References

Anderson, C., & Bushman, B. (2001). Effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, physiological arousal, and prosocial behavior: a meta-analytic review of the scientific literature. Psychological Science, 12(5), 353-359.
  
Kain, E. (2012, April 19). Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/04/19/as-video-game-sales-climb-year-over-year-violent-crime-continues-to-fall/

Video Game Economy

Today's post is a podcast that I made where I talk about the Impact video games make on the economy.

Please leave a comment below.

References 


Entertainment Software Association. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.theesa.com/facts/econdata.asp

Entertainment Software Association. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.theesa.com/facts/index.asp 

Office of the Governor Rick Perry. (2011, July 18). Retrieved from http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/16393/

VGChartz. (2012). Vgchartz.  Retrieved from http://www.vgchartz.com/gamedb/?name=Borderlands+2 

VGChartz. (2012). Vgchartz.  Retrieved from http://www.vgchartz.com/game/31584/star-wars-the-old-republic/

Experiences Playing Video Games from a Female Perspective

Recently, I had the chance to interview two women who enjoy playing video games in their free time. The two gamers, Ashley H. and Jessica M., were very open for a wide variety of questions. Ashley H. is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas with a focus on and Jessica M. is a high school senior who  enjoys performing in her school band. I was curious about how they spend their gaming time and if they have had any problems being a female gamer. I have heard horror stories about how girls are sometimes alienated from their friends and that they are treated horrible online. However, The answers show that they overall have a great experience playing video games. 

Ashley H.

VGI: When did you first start playing video games?

AH: I started playing video games around the age of 7-8. My first console was a Sega Genesis.

JM: I started playing games during my freshman year of high school when I got Guitar Hero.

VGI: What are your favorite video games and what games are you currently playing right now?

AH: Oh my where do I start...If I have to choose, my favorite games are Kingdom Hearts, Metal Gear Solid 3, and Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

JM: My favorite games are Assassin's Creed and Portal and I currently play both games.   

VGI: How many hours a week do you play video games?

AH: Maybe 4-6 hours now that I’m in college. It depends on how busy I am. School work comes first.

JM: I usually play about 4 or 5 hours a week, this depends on if my brother is playing games or if I have band.

VGI: Have you ever felt that video games get in the way of other important things in life? 

AH: Oh sure. It's hard to pull yourself out of a great game, especially when you're in the zone. It doesn't help that chores and homework aren't very attractive activities in the first place. When you get to college though I find most people wise up and learn to put down the controller more often

JM: Not really, I am not too into games that they just take over.

VGI: Do you play games online? Why or why not? 

AH: Nope. Knowing me I would get addicted so fast. Also, I generally enjoy activities that aren’t game related and I’d like to continue my other hobbies as well.

JM: Not often, I used to play during my freshman year but I just got bored with them.

Jessica M.

VGI: Have you or any of your friends had any interesting experiences playing games online? 

AH : Honestly, since I’m more of a console gamer, I don’t have very many stories. I’m sure I’ll think of something once this interview is over.

JM : Not that I know of, my friend once irritated a bunch of non-English speaking players on Xbox-live with the Scatman song.

VGI : What does your friends/family think about you playing games? 

AH : My family didn't really care, and they were glad video games inspired me to go into 3D animation, or at least something where I can make money doing what I love. I've always been the black sheep in the family, so they rolled with it. To clarify, this family is composed of parents who had their kids in their late 30's and had next to no knowledge about video games.

JM : My brother hates how I'm just as into Assassin's Creed as he is, but nobody else really minds that I play video games.

VGI : What do other girls think about you playing games? 

AH : Well, my girlfriends think it's awesome because they also play games. Other than those special ladies, most women don't really care.

JM : They don't really think anything of it.

VGI : Do you feel annoyed or bothered when you are called a "Girl Gamer" rather than just a gamer? 

AH : Honestly, most of the time I don’t really care, but I can see why it wears on plenty. I’ve never heard of someone being referred to as a ‘male’ gamer, especially since more and more women are hopping on the game bandwagon. It does somewhat get annoying when men treat you like you’re an oddity to be revered. Or, you’re treated like you don’t know what you’re talking about. I used to work at a game store and men would actually ask if I actually knew about games or if I was just eye candy (Those were the enjoyable few times when my manager would turn a blind eye when I chewed an ignorant fool out). To feel like one has to constantly prove themselves passionate about their pastime would be annoying for anyone, not just girl gamers.

JM : Sometimes, I show off that I am a girl gamer outside playing games. In games, however, I get a little annoyed because I can be just as good as all the guys.

Ashley wanted to add this about anyone who wanted to start making games

AH : Just a warning to kids. When you start working on games you don’t get to play them as often. But honestly, it’s more fun creating.

Guest Blog: Caleb Sherman

This week I’ll be continuing Evan’s series on video games and social isolation. My name is Caleb Sherman and I am proof that video games do not necessarily lead to social isolation. My favorite game series is that of Super Smash Brothers. After spending years of playing with my brother, dad and close friends I decided in 2009 to try playing the latest installment, Super Smash Brothers Brawl, online. Online gaming allows players to meet other gamers from around the globe and engage in friendly competition. After playing online for 6 months or so I met someone from Houston, TX who encouraged me to attend a tournament in Dallas hosted by Major League Gaming (MLG). This turned out to be a great experience as I was able to meet many of the players I had heard about but never seen in person. Below are two of the best players in the U.S., Elliot Bastien (left) and Jason Zimerman (right).

I learned that there was a competitive scene in my area and began going to tournaments locally and occasionally traveled as far as Houston. I’ve met dozens of people in the process and made quite a few friends. One of the largest tournaments I’ve attended was on Houston, TX in March of 2011. In Super Smash Brothers Brawl I use the character Donkey Kong. This character is rare to see in competitive play because he’s not quite as good as most other characters. Below is a picture of me (center, black shirt) along with a few other people who play the character.

Even though most of us had never met and lived in different parts of the United States we had a sense of unity since we played the same character. We were able to talk about strategies with our characters and offer advice before and after tournament matches.

Even at UTD I have met numerous people through playing video games, they often act as a simple point of reference that many people can associate with. The myth that video games lead to social isolation has been busted!