Attention gamers: Want to get ahead in your career? According to new IBM research, online videogames can help you become a better corporate leader by fostering skills related to collaboration, self-organization, risk-taking, openness, influence, and communications. These competencies are increasingly being sought by businesses as they compete in the global economy.
I posted to an IGDA discussion group something about video game addiction, its relationship to drug addiction and the use of the term “addictive” in the game industry. In the course of this I rabbited on a bit about drug law and treatment. I think it’s worth sharing, as the discussion led me to more nuanced opinions and a lot of new things to think about. (continued »)
This article at ZDnet upholds what I have asserted before: too many things are being sloppily called “addictions”. Having experimented with cigarettes, being a slave to daily caffeine, and remaining in a wary waltz with my family nemesis alcohol, I know the difference between something which is addictive and something which is so pleasurable that maybe it absorbs more time than it should. There are many things I like a great deal, and which I need to check myself from doing so much of that they take time away from things I enjoy less but know I *should* do. But compelling, tempting enjoyability does not make those things addictive. To call them that is an insult to addicts and a blurring of a very important medical term.
Besides, if video game addiciton gets classified as a bona fide addiction syndrome and therefore gets insurance coverage, Blizzard may as well open up an HMO, haul it in from both ends, and eventually buy America. To which I would respond: Nerf SUVs.
I previously vowed to discuss and link to studies on both sides of the games and violence issue, and I’m now making good on it. An AMA report summarizes and has links to resources; I have read a few of these articles. In short, the report finds some apparent causal relationship between consumption of violent games and aggressive behavior immediately afterward.
Given my review, I now concede that some amount (perhaps large, perhaps small) of consumption increases aggressive affect and behavior in the immediate period following play of violent games. (continued »)
I support the industry’s voluntary ratings system, which in the USA is run by the ESRB, an independent ratings board. Game makers must pay the ESRB to rate their games. It’s pretty similar to the movie rating system in the USA.
A report by the FCC, not one to look the other way as naughty (and, sometimes, wobbly) things are being shown to impressionable youth, finds that the rating system is working very well. This proves that there is no basis for legislation which enforces such ratings and age restrictions. Such legislation has already wasted millions of taxpayer dollars as grandstanding politicians make showy bills which fail court challenges on First Amendment grounds, and act as a placebo for the illness of antisocial behavior and violence in society.
Sites which cover this general issue are:
At the latter site you can take action to inform your representatives and affect the legislative process.
From The Observer:
Playing computer games may actually be good for children, according to a government study that found no proof that even violent games triggered aggressive behaviour.The games can improve children’s decision-making and instil ‘positive learning traits’, some research suggests. At least one study argues that make-believe violence helps children ‘conquer fears and develop a sense of identity’, as gruesome fairytales once did.
The review was ordered by ministers over concerns about possible links between bloodthirsty games and real-life violence. The fatal stabbing of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah, whose attacker was said to have been obsessed with a game called Manhunt, prompted a campaign by his mother to have violent titles banned.
The review concluded fears about violent games reflected deeper social concerns about ‘the changing nature of childhood in a modern world’. Most research suggesting a link came from America and did not take into account the context in which children played.
Ministers have discussed age-labelling of games and are understood to be planning talks with the industry about helping parents choose titles.
While debating with someone here about a recent study again showing a correlation (once again, not causation) between game playing and a violent mindset, he asked what study I would support if I had any amount of money and time. Here is my answer: (continued »)
I was interviewed for an MSNBC article about parenting and video games by Thomas Loftus. Most of what I have to say is in a sidebar article alongside the main article. Thanks to Jason Della Rocca (IGDA president) for the referral!
Do you think I should someday write a book such as “The Gen-X Parent’s Video Game Survival Guide”? Leave me a comment or drop me a line if you think I should move it toward the top of my to-do list…
Here are the full notes I sent to Mr. Loftus, which talk a lot about my approach to video games in my home, as both a father and as a game developer. (continued »)
A report discussed how to view violence as an infectious disease. It specifically deals with being exposed to actual violence, not mediated, but it seems relevant to video games.
I’m interested to know if the methodology holds up, so if anyone has good analytical skills I’d love to see their analysis of this study method.
Though this may (and probably will) be turned into an argument to prevent kids from seeing virtual violence as well “just in case”, the argument could be made the other way: (continued »)
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