Video games are an interesting element of our lives, even
more so now due to the recent global events that our society has been facing. In
its earliest inception, video games were created by large research computers using
analog technology that could play only one shooting game, Spacewar! as
stated in our class lecture slide. Games nowadays come in a variety of forms and
are able to be played comfortably at home, ranging genres such as warlike
games such as Call of Duty, to more space sci-fi genres such as Mass Effect, or
something more traditional to gamers from the early internet years such as an MMO-RPG
in the form of World of Warcraft. Due to the rise of other technological marvels,
that being the internet and computers, video games have come a long way from
the boxes that could only be played by two players in the same room. Video
games have become a major hobby that many people can partake in, not just kids
who are seeking to have some fun with an old Atari or Classic Nintendo while over
their friend’s house.
The newest generation
of game consoles all can access online play and produce realistic graphics, as
well as being able to hold more games than ever with either expanded storage or
cloud to attract gamers from all demographics to play. With better and faster
internet connections being produced, whole families can play together with one
another, even if they are thousands of miles apart. Whole families are able to
partake in gaming and can bond more so through the use of video games,
especially nowadays where people have to live in quarantine due to the recent pandemic.
In my article posted below, researches have found that video games have had a positive
effect on improving mood and allowing family members to interact more while
playing family games together. This also serves well for those who wish to play
with friends, allowing for a closer connection to those who one game with. In
an era where technology seems to be driving people apart, video games are the
perfect means to bring friends and family together.
Wang, B., Taylor, L., & Sun, Q. (2018). Families that
play together stay together: Investigating family bonding through video games.
New Media & Society, 20(11), 4074–4094.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444818767667
