Value of Video Games

As someone who is guilty of giving my opinion liberally, even when I don't have all the facts, I can't completely condemn those who make assumptions about video game violence and then publish those opinions. However, I have learned the value of getting the right information and then spouting off, in that order. Our elected representatives should always strive to do the same, of course.

But I am also someone who loves a good comedy moment. So I appreciated The Daily Show with Jon Stewart's take on the current US Congressional hearings on video games.

I am fairly well-informed on the topic. I am a parent of two sons who grew up with video games (supervised by me); I am a teacher of students who game; I am a gamer myself (Fate, Neverwinter Nights, Myst way back when, Puzzle Pirates lately, Black and White, Populous, etc.). I have also worked as Story Editor for an interactive game company, in the early '90s. We dealt with precisely these issues of story quality, level of violence, and effect on young players.

What the critics usually fail to point out, are the real-world skills gamers develop by playing. Most games these days require a significant ability to manage resources. Role playing games require the player to manage time, equipment, consumables, transportation, time limits, and often other people. The massively-multiplayer games (MMORPG) involve teamwork, negotiation, problem-solving, collective attainment of objectives, communication, and conflict resolution. Gamers learn to work together regardless of the absolute age of the player, as a competent player may have a higher in-game status than an older but less-experienced player.

What CEO would not want an employee who has all those skills?

We don't yet have real-world certification for game-taught skills. Well, perhaps only in the military...target simulation, anyone?

Remember that today's fighting forces grew up developing hand/eye co-ordination and reaction skills using the same joysticks and display panels that are integral in today's technology, such as Harrier jets, the Space Shuttle, Navy ships, and tanks.

Why do we think the games are the problem?