The importance of video games in our society

I am what many people would call a "gamer". I often tell people that I was born with an Atari controller in my hands. Video games have evolved from just a simple form of entertainment, to one of the biggest industries in the world. I personally feel that video games are one of the most important forms of technology in existence today.

The days of the arcade are gone, and now just about every household has at least one video game system. In the past video games were aimed at certain audiences, and now even your grandparents can be found playing games on their Nintendo Wii. Many people would argue that games have a negative effect on our children, but the same could be said about many of the television programs shown as well. I've always felt that it's the responsibility of the parent to monitor the content that their children are exposed to, and since the establishment of the ESRB, this has been made very easy. What we have to remember is that video games have a variety of applications. Educational games, often called "edutainment", allow children a more interactive way to learn. From my experience, people retain more information if they find a way to enjoy what they are learning. Video games have also been used to train the military, and a form of on-the-job video gaming has been adopted by large companies as well.

The creation of video games can also be considered an art form. As technology has increased, the ability to program complex games has become easier. People are able express their creativity without having to rely on the large amounts of money that major game studios receive. Even consumers have the ability to create their own experiences in games like LittleBigPlanet. This amazing game allows the player to create their own levels and share them with the world. This is just one of many recent games that are embracing the popularity of user-generated content

Video games have also had a large impact on pop culture. Even if you've never played video games, you could easily recognize characters like Mario or Pac-Man. Other games like Halo and World of Warcraft are commonly seen in television advertisements and even the news. These two games have formed incredible followings, and are popular for being online. They allow a person to make hundreds of friends with people they may never actually meet. This has created concern for some people who believe that it promotes laziness and seclusion. Though it's true that some people may become too involved with their online persona, many people are able to carry on normal lives with minimal impact to their social well-being.

As the video game industry evolves, more and more people will make it a primary form of entertainment. My generation will ensure that people continue to play, and the world will become a happier place.