There are real effects of long-term video game playing. This statement by itself is true, just like the statement that people are affected by food. It’s not so much of that someone is affected by video game playing, but more so what other factors contribute to combined effects. This essay in look into the effects of long video game play and how other factors may work along with video game playing to create long lasting effects (Bavelier et al., 2011). There is a large body of research for the negative effects of gaming along with a growing base for the positive effects of game play. However, many research publications stop short of giving a total view of the effects of gaming. There are many attributes that can go into gauging the actual
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The first and most noticeable were losses in academic performance by gamers that are currently in school. These effects are simply caused by the opportunity cost of spending time engrossed in games versus the individual’s studies. There are also more notable negative effects from anti-social (violent) styled video games. One such video game, “Unreal Tournament,” is a violent, fast-paced, first person shooter, style video game. This game carries all the positive effects listed above due to it’s inconsistent, quick actions that happen at a moment’s notice, but games such as this also have very real negative effects to certain individuals (Bavelier et al., …show more content…
As the gaming industry evolves those that develop games for entertainment have started shifting their focuses towards educational and therapeutic purposes for their games. For instance, some individuals suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following vehicle accidents may use driving simulators to re-adjust themselves to driving while in a controlled environment while alleviating several of the symptoms of their PTSD. Even though some of these developments are cause for excitement this use of gaming is still in its infancy and will take time to hone into something truly useful in most cases (Bavelier et al., 2011). Even though there is a large amount of research on this topic and the effects thereof, there is also no one clear cut answer. As pointed out in the research, most people want a very concise answer to whether or not people should play video games and if they do more harm than good. The answer to that question is less than clear, and is generally no more than ‘possibly, possibly not.’ This is a very complex, multi-faceted; subject that requires a large additional research before it can be truly answered once and for all (Bavelier et al.,
The first and most noticeable were losses in academic performance by gamers that are currently in school. These effects are simply caused by the opportunity cost of spending time engrossed in games versus the individual’s studies. There are also more notable negative effects from anti-social (violent) styled video games. One such video game, “Unreal Tournament,” is a violent, fast-paced, first person shooter, style video game. This game carries all the positive effects listed above due to it’s inconsistent, quick actions that happen at a moment’s notice, but games such as this also have very real negative effects to certain individuals (Bavelier et al., …show more content…
As the gaming industry evolves those that develop games for entertainment have started shifting their focuses towards educational and therapeutic purposes for their games. For instance, some individuals suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following vehicle accidents may use driving simulators to re-adjust themselves to driving while in a controlled environment while alleviating several of the symptoms of their PTSD. Even though some of these developments are cause for excitement this use of gaming is still in its infancy and will take time to hone into something truly useful in most cases (Bavelier et al., 2011). Even though there is a large amount of research on this topic and the effects thereof, there is also no one clear cut answer. As pointed out in the research, most people want a very concise answer to whether or not people should play video games and if they do more harm than good. The answer to that question is less than clear, and is generally no more than ‘possibly, possibly not.’ This is a very complex, multi-faceted; subject that requires a large additional research before it can be truly answered once and for all (Bavelier et al.,