Importance of Gaming

Who said games were bad? Today, gaming is one of the leading industries and its importance is still somewhat overshadowed by luddites. Violence, sex and death take the spotlight away from the good points about gaming.

We've known the importance of gaming for a million years yet no one seems to write anything about it. Why is gaming important for today's society? Why is it needed?

In my opinion, and from all fair points of view, gaming is integral to life in today's society. A place to stimulate the mind, a separate reality, a perfect exercise workout, a social excuse to gather around... Gaming has many uses for different people.

Brain Training has been the most recent "game" developed to "improve people's mental capabilities". Although the Brain games are an obvious example of games helping out mental capabilities, many other games do the same thing only to present them in a different way. Ico's integration of two characters as the central focus of their puzzles. Zelda's dungeons. Decision making is needed in games like Warcraft and Final Fantasy. There are so many games out there which go further than the "promotes violence and sex" view in which stinky, old politicians seem to have these days.

Even controvesial games such as GTA have their own importance and relevance. They might teach some gamers that violence is wrong (mostly, it's the other way though -_-'), they might improve reflexes and/or they might help raise ideas and thoughts about the themes present such as racism or whatever.

More importantly, games are fun.

Though there are many forms of entertainment, gaming is probably one of those forms of media in which the individual is engaged. You could sit in front of the telly, sit there and listen to an iPod, but you have no input in it. Gaming is a active interaction betwen an individual. Gaming is the biggest cure for long train trips, Sundays at your Grandma's house or staying alive through that boring lecturer of yours.

Games are important to society these days and we as gamers enjoy the benefits we are given having engaged in the world of games.

How is gaming important in your life?

Discuss discuss.

Jam it back in, in the dark.