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Games Less Engrossing Than Other Media?

Posted by Zonk on from the eye-of-the-beholder dept.

The British Board of Film Classification recently released a study describing players' reactions to videogames. The synopsis of their findings makes for fascinating reading. "Gamers are starting to play at a younger age, even as the average age of gamers is increasing. Males and females differ greatly in taste in games, how long they play, and how involved they are in the gameplay. Negative press about a game significantly increases it's sales and many young gamers choose games based on word of mouth. Games provide a sense of achievement, unlike passive mediums like television. Active participation decreases the tendency to 'forget' your experiencing a fantasy vs. non-interactive visual mediums. Gamers find violence in television and movies more upsetting than violence in games. While parents agree that games should be regulated, some still consider the whole genre as 'kid's toys', even games that may include adult content." One of the most controversial findings is the assertion that games are less engrossing than other media, with players having less of an emotional connection to in-game events than the events in a book or movie. The Wonderland blog offers up the full report as well as commentary on their findings.

2 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. WoW not engrossing? by Manos_Of_Fate · · Score: 5, Funny

    One of the most controversial findings is the assertion that games are less engrossing than other media, with players having less of an emotional connection to in-game events than the events in a book or movie.
    Obviously the words of someone who has never been ganked and camped by horde for 45 minutes.
    --
    Isn't enough that I ruined a pony, making a gift for you?
  2. well it's true by Some_Llama · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "with players having less of an emotional connection to in-game events than the events in a book or movie."

    Often times I have had a hard time getting to sleep after watching a movie, with re-enactments of Neo fighting agents or Golum chasing the ring rebounding in my mind.

    No wait that never happened.. but I have had many a restless night dreaming of defusing a bomb in dust...

    Many a broken mouse chucked at a wall after a lost round might disagree also...