Video games have been stirring up controversy for as long as my 20 year old brain can remember. The most typical debate I come across is whether violence in video games is correlated with violence in real life, and many people condemn violent video games because they see them as a danger to the impressionable minds of our youth. While I'm not a huge fan of excessive violence or gore myself, I'm going to distance myself from that mine field so I can discuss an aspect of video games that tends to be pushed to the wayside: the benefits. I do acknowledge that video games have their downsides - sitting in one spot and staring at a TV screen for hours is not exactly healthy - but gaming has always been a large part of my life, and I hope to shed some light on how important and, dare I say it, fun video games can be.
1. Video games are stress relievers.
This is one of the big reasons I play video games. Yes, there are always certain parts in every game that can make even the most seasoned gamers want to explode. Gaming rage is pretty much inescapable, but over the years I've found that screeching like a pterodactyl at the TV is as therapeutic as it is frustrating. If you're having a spectacularly horrible day, or you're just a natural volcano of anger that's always ready to erupt, taking it out on a video game character could be the perfect release. Even if raging isn't your style, video games can provide a virtual playing field to let your frustrations with the world run free. Mowing down mercenaries, zombies or even goombas has always been my best outlet for stress; video game combat generally doesn't require much heavy lifting from an overwhelmed brain, and it's a means of channeling negative emotions that is harmless to everyone except a few bundles of pixels.
2. Video games bring fantasy worlds to life.
There are few things I enjoy more than a video game with an immersive world and captivating characters. Whenever someone asks me why I enjoy a particular game, my answer is almost always "the story." Video games have the unique capability of taking cinematic worlds and experiences and making players an integral part of the adventure. With the push of a button, your average Joe can sail the seven seas with pirates, slay dragons and command an entire Inquisition, or discover the lost treasure of El Dorado. Some video games allow you to play with custom characters, and then you can really drop yourself right in the middle of the mayhem. Many also involve decision making mechanics so players can influence the storyline however they choose. The only limitations to a video game is its creators' imaginations.
3. Video games encourage imagination.
Speaking of imagination, this is kind of a two-for-one deal that I've discovered as I've grown up with games. When I was younger, I always used to fabricate extra stories and adventures to tag onto whatever game I was playing. Even though there were only so many actions Spyro the dragon or Crash Bandicoot could follow, I added my own flair of drama to every level I traversed, giving the characters voices and relationships that really embellished their worlds for my young mind. The first means I had for telling stories was through video games, and that childhood pastime has bloomed into my greatest passion over the years.
The second half of this imagination deal comes in the form of real-world creation. Odds are if you've been on the Internet for more than a few minutes, you've come across fan work for various TV shows, books, movies and everything else under the sun. Video games are no exception here, and they can inspire fan art, videos and fiction in boatloads. Some of my earliest serious stories were fan fiction based on the "Jak and Daxter" games, and they were the first writing pieces I ever felt confident enough to share with someone besides my mother. All of the imaginings I always had about my games came to life on paper, providing me with hours of entertainment and invaluable practice in writing creatively. In fact, I probably owe some of the creativity I have now to video games. They have always been incredibly dynamic medium for my imagination to run wild.
4. Video games build community.
This ties directly into the idea of fan art I mentioned above. Video game fandoms are everywhere. They can be so small that it feels like you're one of two people who has even heard of your favorite game, or they can be so large and lively that it seems like half the Internet is dedicated to them. Fandoms by definition are communities of people who all enjoy a similar interest, and they can be invaluable sources for friendships, or simply sharing your creative talents with people who will most definitely scream about them. The beauty of many modern games, too, is that you can actually play online games with friends around the world. I've made a fair number of online friends through my various fandoms, starting with "Jak and Daxter" when I was a wee high school freshman. Video games were what first drew me to fandoms, and I've held onto friendships for more than six years because of them. (Of course, I have to include the usual disclaimer here about the Internet being a rather dodgy place. While it's always wise to be cautious with your information and who you're talking to, most people online are not serial killers or predators. Online friendships can be just as significant as those in "real life," and there are plenty of kind souls out there who would be more than happy to squeal with you over your obsessions).
Even outside of the digital realm, video games have a knack for bringing people together. My parents and I used to spend hours playing "Crash Bandicoot" together, and my mother always went on daring adventures in "Tomb Raider" while I watched her from behind the couch. Nowadays we break out the Wii and have a bowling match or speed through a few rounds of "Mario Kart" whenever we have the chance. My older brother and I both adore video games, and it's the easiest way for us to find common ground in conversations. If my friends and I get together, we always have a Playstation or a Gamecube close at hand. We don't always play multiplayer games either - sometimes we'll take turns on single-player games, bonding over a new storyline and cracking jokes about characters while we pass the controller around. Video games have always been an integral part of my closest relationships. They're an easy and exciting means of getting everyone in the same room, collaborating or competing and generally having a blast.
If you're like me, and your family tends to pester you about how wedded you are to your game system, feel free to use any of the reasons listed here as an argument for the importance of your gaming binges. There are plenty of other benefits to games that I haven't covered as well, so it never hurts to think outside the box. If video games have never really been part of your life and you have access to them, go ahead and give one a try. The right game for you is probably out there somewhere, and you just might fall in love with it.
