The Impact of Gaming The documentary that I watched is named Mind Games: The Power of Video Gaming by filmmaker Ron Thomas featuring Brad Bushman, James Paul Gee, and Martin Burnbaum. Ron Thomas uses pathos, ethos and logos to explore the advantages and disadvantages of video gaming. I think the filmmaker succeeded in building a strong argument through his appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos. Ron conducts interviews with retro gamers and experts in psychology, linguistics and education. Ron is credible because he is known for other documentaries that he has filmed. Ron appeals to ethos by interviewing credible people at a Retro World Expo. He talks to different presenters at the expo who are displaying their artwork and product they create …show more content…
from video games. He also talks to people representing a charity named Extra Life who help medical centers and hospitals just from people who can raise and donate money to the organization just by playing and streaming games. He asked games what video games mean to them and there are many gamers from all the different eras of the gaming world from the classical games to the recent up-to-date games.
He continues on and ask a critical question that was “How have video games impacted your life?” The people responded as it has had an impact on their artwork and one guy went as far as saying they create video games because he can’t stop himself and even though it’s not very profitable it’s okay because he loves what he do. Ron also gets people opinion on what’s the big deal with video games. The first went off the fact that when you have kids and you get home from work or something like that, you just want to relax and bond with your kids and how that means a lot to him. Another says that games just give you the chance to be somebody and express yourself. Next, he asks what are the negative impacts of gaming today. There was a teenage girl that was at the expo who gave her opinion on this concern with gaming as the comments that people make to others through games and on the internet, that are bad to say to others and make them want to do self-harm to themselves. Another great question that was asked was, “What are the pros and cons of video gaming?” Brad Bushman a
professor in communications and psychology at Ohio State University gives his opinion on this and says the most common statement that he hears is, “I play violent video games all the time and I haven’t killed anyone.” He says that it’s not the fact of playing violent video games that have the impact of making you that turns you into a murders, but more so the perception that your brain gets from the violent video games and the way you treat people and the effect that the games have on your behavior. Ron appeals to pathos by making the interviews funny as he was he was going around the expo. In one part of the video he was playing around with a baby and the baby’s mother. Later on, it was funny when he asked some people that were at the expo that were displaying artwork what their names were and to tell a little about their work it confused them because the lady said her actual name and the guy said his internet moniker that was square painter. Another funny moment was at the beginning when he said, “I have a problem with alcohol, but anyway let’s go check out the freaking retro world expo, that’s where we are right?” He also creates a happy and enjoyable emotion by having the video game gameplay theme at the beginning of the video and use it throughout when showing a title and having Pac-Man come through and eat the words. Ron uses logos by getting the people he interviewed opinions on all the different questions about gaming. The responses given were mainly logic based answers like the pros and cons to gaming, the negative effects that gaming have on our lives, and what’s the big deal about video games it’s all just logical responses from each individual person. When you hear the question, what is the negative impact games have, most people will say that it’s too much violence or the comments people make to each other while playing the games. You hear the question what’s the big deal about video games, the main answer to this question that you will more than likely get the logical answers that video games give people the impression that they are actually in the game, that it gives you the feeling of being somebody and give you a chance to express yourself. The more logic answer to what are the pros and cons to video games would be that the parents feel that the kids play video games too much and that it is making them lazy or that video games can be very educational for many kids that play video games and it show them how to solve problems and interact with the game.
“Most reported effects of videogames – particularly in the popular press – appear to centre upon the alleged negative consequences… Research has consistently shown that playing computer games (irrespective of genre) produces reductions in reaction times, improved hand-eye co-ordination and raises players’ self-esteem,” (Griffiths p. 47), states Mark Griffiths in his article, “The educational benefits of videogames”. When people think of video games, they often tend to think about the negative side effects that video games can have on a person. Will Wright in his article, “Dream Machines” also defends video games by providing positive effects that video games have on those who play them. Wright presents
The author primarily appeals to the audience using logos. He brings statistics and data from research studies throughout the essay. He either provides background information on why the studies are misleading or just presents a fact. For instance, “According to a 2001 U.S. Surgeon General 's report, the strongest risk factors for school shootings centered on mental stability and the quality of home life, not media exposure” (Jenkins, “Reality Bytes: Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked”). He provides data like this through the essay. He is strongly trying to appeal to the audience’s sense of logic and
Imagine for a moment, a world of death. For 200 years your family has been sealed away with a thousand other people, to protect you from the dangers outside. Now your father has disappeared, and it’s up to you to find him. After a harrowing escape from your subterranean home, you walk through a tunnel to the outside world, past dead bodies, stretched out in front of the door, as if to say “don’t leave us out here to die!” As you walk through the gate to the outside, and as your eyes slowly adjust to the sun you have never seen, a wasteland emerges before you. The world is devastated, destroyed and annihilated. Broken twisted hunks of metal lie next to a sign on the side of the mountain saying “scenic overlook” on your right, the broken remains of the interstate bridge stand as a monument to a destroyed culture. Petrified trees are all that remains of the local fauna. Off in the distance, all that remains is destruction. While you may think of this stunning visualization of a wonderful novel, this is actually one of the opening scenes from Todd Howard and Bethesda Game Studios’ “Fallout 3.”
It is often believed that children are better off spending more time reading books and less time zoning out in front of their video games. People claim that video games sanction and promote aggression and violent responses to conflict; and that most games are an immense waste of time. Steven Johnson, the author of “Why Games Are Good for You,” appreciates the virtues of reading books, but argues that playing video games may not be a complete waste of time. His purpose for writing this essay is to explain the impact of cybertechnology on human perception and communication, in which he defends the value of computer games. In his essay, Johnson fluctuates between the pros and cons of reading versus gaming to appeal to skeptics who believe video
Video games have become a hot topic recently. There have been a lot of controversy over whether to play or not to play. The controversy is due to them being arguably more captivating than all other forms of entertainment. Video games narrate an epic tale like no other form of entertainment can. You can become immersed in video games, because of this they are both a highly entertaining escape from the real world and a complete waste of time.
Perry, David. “Are Video Games Better Than Life?” TED. Monterey, California. Feb. 2006. Web. 16 Feb 2014. Keynote Speech.
Video games can be seen in both a positive and negative light. Video gaming has become a popular activity for people of all ages, yet many fear the aftermath they can ensue. Many children and adolescents expend large amounts of time playing them. Video gaming is a multibillion-dollar industry – bringing in more money than movies and DVDs. In fact, the PlayStation 2 was the first video game system to integrate DVD mechanics. It was originally intended to exist as a CD add-on to complement the Super Nintendo, but due to licensing difficulties Sony chose to develop the PlayStation as its own distinctive system. Video games have become very sophisticated. Some games connect to the internet, which can allow children and adolescents to play online with unknown adults and peers. The
There are many views as to whether video game violence causes children to behave violently. Many children play violent games because that is what most people are playing and they feel that they need to do so as well. Violence is not only in video games but also in all other forms of media because that is what sells and what will make entertainment companies more money.
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of their skin or his background or his religion” -- Nelson Mandela. In Richard Connell’s short story “The Most Dangerous Game,” the character of General Zaroff believes that he is superior to all “common” people and therefore leads to finding a “new” species that have the ability to reason; which happens to be humans. Further along, another hunter named Rainsford lands on the General’s island and is then hunted by Zaroff but manages to escape his death. This short story illustrates the theme that elitism and racism allow violence to become acceptable. Although there are many current issues in society, the theme that violence is unfolding is the most relevant to the issues of today because
Videogames are amazing they promote creativity, team-work and social interaction. Video games actually work to increase how good your eyesight is. One study done by scientist’s Daphne Bavelier and her team found that playing five to fifteen hours of action games (e.g., Call of Duty) a week increased how good the participants vision was in two ways "The first way is that they 're actually able to resolve small detail in the context of clutter… The other way that they are better is actually being able to resolve different levels of grey”. Sure games have violence in them but honestly what doesn’t, films and TV are chock full of it, heck even Tom and Jerry promote violence and animal abuse plus there is a reason that those big shiny red “18” stickers are put on games so that it is clearly shown that children aren 't supposed to be given access to these specific types of game. As for the “waste of time” nothing is really a waste of time if you gain something from it such as
Whether they be first-person shooters like Call of Duty, sports games like Madden or Fifa, racing games like Forza or Mariokart, or even games and apps on your phones, there are quite a bit of gamers in here. According to the Entertainment Software Association, about 59% of American play some sort of video game, so gaming isn’t all that uncommon (Entertainment Software Association, 2014). As such, there must be some sort of effect on the audience of this growing form of entertainment.
We should develop games that people want to spend time on that are also educational, increasing the attention span of people, visual acuity, and multitasking abilities of all generations. The author very effectively portrays her message of by connecting with her audience charismatically, visually, personally, and logically. In the age of technology we must come to terms with the changing hobbies and daily activities around us. Rather than passing them off as bad campaigning for them to be cut back, censored, we should be focusing on the good that is already done by video games and how we could continue to improve
Video games have been around about 50 years and they contribute a big part of the U.S. economy. People interact with video games every day throughout different ways, such as cell phone devices, computers, consoles or whatever which has a screen on it. In fact, it has always affected people’s lives. However, not so many people understand the benefits of video games. With video games, people can not only relieve themselves from stress and suffering, but it also improves people’s social experiences while they are exchanging and absorbing knowledge with other people; more than that, people can learn many other things from video games which can help them to achieve great things in lives.
In society’s current era of technological advancement, video games have gone a long way since they were first created. Video games in the twenty-first century are no longer just toys or junk in the lifestyles of the youth. They have become innovative inventions that not only entertain its users, but also help aid the people in both the academic field and in jobs. The influences that video games bring about in the culture of the youth today are, in fact, not the negative influences that most people think. Video games are actually this generation’s new medium for educating the youth. The information they learn are also mostly positive and useful things that they may apply in their future lives (Prensky 4). In a generation that revolves around technology and connectivity, developers and educators have already been able to produce fun and interesting games that can teach and train people. Video game developers and educators should continue to collaborate in order to create more positive, educational, and appealing games.
"There'll always be the argument that video games are meant to be played for fun. Believe me, some of it is a lot of fun. Video games are meant to be played from home, relaxing on a couch amongst friends. And they are, and that's fun. But competitive gaming, when you wanna attach your name to a world record, when you want your name written in history, you have to play the price."