Gaming Does Good

bippy writes "Tired of hearing about all the bad things games do? I've mirrored a list on Kotaku of recent positive research done into gaming. All told, the list includes six studies and books summarized into bite-sized morsels with quotes and links. Finally, something to throw in the face of all those obnoxious politicians and sue-happy lawyers."

Comments

Forgive me for feeling a bit defeatist...

[deemaunik]

At least it'll sate us. Although, I know that regardless of what we think, people will go on screaming about how Doom 3 makes children kill others, and feel unwholesome feelings. Not just, you know, entertainment. Like the episodes of CSI, or the Autopsy Revealed. They never listen, regardless of how much sense you make. These are people who say the Dinosaurs are "Tests to our Faith." They only hear what they want to hear.

But thanks for throwing a punch for the rest of us. :)

Deaf ears

[Richie1984]

There was a recent report on British TV where two well known presenters did a short segment on the 'evil' Grand Theft Auto. They talked about the negative aspects of the game, such as gang killings etc. What amazed me was the complete lack of any representative view of a gamer's opinion. The majority of people seem to be happily under the illusion that all video games are just cartoony and kid friendly, so when they purchase a game with an '18' rating slapped on the front, they feel justified in acting surprised and horrified when they find their child playing it.

People should be educated that games are similar to any other modern medium, in that there will be some universal content, and some content for adults. Whilst these articles can go some way to confirming gamer's feelings that games aren't inherently 'evil', they will fall on deaf ears with the general public who will undoubtably find it easier to label all games with the same brush, instead of looking at the actual issue. That said, perhaps the fact that a large body such as the American Medical Association has expressed doubt as to whether violent content causes violent behaviour may gain some mainstream recognition.

Also helpful to surgeons

[supersuckers]

Wired recently posted an article about the benefits of video gaming for surgeons.

Surgeons who play video games three hours a week have 37 percent fewer errors and accomplish tasks 27 percent faster, he says, basing his observation on results of tests using the video game Super Monkey Ball.

Issues of a new generation

[ShawnMcCool42]

The debate will change.. When? When gamers start becoming parents.

Perhaps the issues of children are deaf upon their disassociated parents. Too much to do in their own life (watch CSI?) to bother really being a part in their child's. You can expect politicians to target the values of the apathetic elite, but as the video game generation starts raising their own children you can expect those values to change.

Politicians sell what is popular, and once they realize we're all tired of their propaganda they'll move onto the next hot button.

Just sit tight, video games are still new in popularity and the slow to self-educate middle-aged are soon to become the rotting in homes elderly.