The Evolution of Gaming.
A fond childhood memory that I have is playing board games with friends and families. Overtime the advertising and playing of board games has been replaced with virtual gaming, such as those found online and with gaming consuls. Games such as Life, Monopoly, and Trouble are not as heavily advertised and played by kids today. This is because they are not as interactive as the games that are found on PS3 and Xbox. Today, children are being exposed to new technology at a lot earlier ages, leaving interest in dated board games. Video and online games create a virtual interactive reality allowing the players to be in full control of the game. Board games have restrictions to the actions that players can take, which may be a turn off for users.
With the evolution of gaming has come an increase in violence. As we spoke about in class, there is this constant debate as to whether video games promote violence. Allowing children to kill human beings and steal cars sends a false ethical message to children at a young age. It would be interesting to think about how violence would decrease among young adults had this wave of video gaming phenomenon cease to exist. Does violence instilled at such a young age really have an effect on the amount of teenage violence that exists today? There will never be a solid answer to this question but I do think that this really widens the gaps in generations. Board games which provided once provided innocent fun for children, lacks the technology and realism that video games provide for its users. It will be interesting to see the trend of board game sales in years to come, as new games and gaming systems begin to develop and enhance the user’s experience. I believe that as new games are released there should be better restrictions and ratings placed on such games, so that more violent games are targeted at older users and not in the hands of young children.
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ReplyDeleteIt took my attention as well that kids prefer playing PS3 pr computer games rather than board games. However any board game used to be a strong medium when we were small. It gathered everyone around an aim and everybody enjoyed. Now kids don't need anyone to play games with, the computer or any other software can stand as the second or the third person. Therefore, the biggest communication among kids had disappeared. I , myself think that games played in groups teach as much as education does because one can learn work with a group, learn team spirit and respect through communicating with the people around the same ages. So its sad that a big medium has been destroyed by technology. Therefore, I'm not sure uf technology is beneficial all the time.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that the increase in technology is steering kids away from traditional board games. In another light, however, technological advancements may lead to a revival of classic board games in the older, more nostalgic demographics. For example, you can play Uno on facebook with friends all across the world. This demonstrates the potential for board games to live on with technological advancements and continue to prosper. If we can get the kids to play these classic games on their new video game systems, maybe we can steer them away from the violent video games you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteEven in the older days when boardgames were the form of entertainment, violence still existed among youths. One thing that is missing from this argument is the extent to which young children were violent even before these gamings forms of exposure to violence were introduced.
ReplyDeleteLet's not take video games too far. My friends and I would always play cops and robbers or wrestle. This was violent to an extent. We would also play with water guns which one could say simulated war/violence. Where do we draw the line?
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