Positive influences of video games

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The birth of video games had started in the early 1950s; the games were used as simulations and artificial intelligence programs. Video games in the United States became main stream, and gained massive popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. This included arcade video games, gaming consoles and home computer games. Video games are played electronically by operating images produced by computer software on a television screen or handheld device. Typical Parents try to take video games away and promote their kids go outside, or to do an activity that would be more beneficial. However, it is important to evaluate the extent that video game mechanics do have a major impact on people’s education. The positive reasons for playing video games are playing video games are helpful for teachers in the classroom, learning strategies, and helping with mental illness. Playing a video game causes a person’s brain to change exceptionally with potential for combating mental illness and depression. "In 2012, researchers in New Zealand created a novel way to treat depressed teenagers with "SPARX," a video game designed to give therapy to kids in a way that was more fun and active than traditional counseling."(Drew) Sparx stands for “smart, positive, active, realistic and x-factor thoughts,” strategies that have been commonly used to battle depression. This study on Sparx gaming was targeted for young teenagers to help cure their depression issues. “Half of the group was randomly assigned to "treatment as usual, “which was a one on one counseling over five sessions. The other half played SPARX, a fantasy game where the subjects created avatars in order to squash “gloomy negative automatic thoughts,” and restore order in the virtual world."(Drew) The Sparx... ... middle of paper ... ...ogether to play by the same rules and appreciate the same core values and stay with each other until the game is done, even if we are losing to continue to have fun. Video games can have a positive influence, but who the player is and the nature of their engagement will influence the amount of happiness that is gained while playing. Educational and action video games have proven to increase cognitive thought, raise reaction time, and have taught people to become better thinkers .Videogames are not simply for entertainment purposes, or a waste of time, they are beneficial to people. With several productive reasons for playing games, and with proven results, there is no reason for people to discourage others from playing them. We should continue to educate people that games are excellent teaching resources, and not ignore the positive influences we gain from playing.

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