Video Game - Just Playing?

Video game is a tool used to entertain for all ages. According to the reading on ethics of video game, it said that '800 million people world wide are regular payers'. This shows us how video game is attractive, but addictive at the same time.  

1. What are some pros and cons of playing videogames for individuals and societies?

 

          In the positive aspect, playing video games is the most easiest and funniest way to learn and educate the players. For example,people can learn problem-solving skills and critical thinking through playing Enigma [Figure 1], a puzzle game. It also can allow young people to be able to express their aggression and establishing peer group without creating any physical harm to their friend through playing violent video games. Players required to be patient while playing video games, so that it can help them regulate and control their emotional state.

       Figure 1. Enigma Screenshot

 

         In the negative aspect, due to the influence of violent video games, there is an increased chance to have bullying and violence in school or at home. It is because these kinds of games may educate children that using violence is a way to solve problems and make them desensitize to violence. Also, playing video games is one the factors that causing high shooting incidents in school, as some of the players may want to seek happiness and pleasure by harming others.

2. According the film, is there any evidence that digital games can encourage aggressive values and anti-social actions in the real world? Do you agree?

 According to the film, if players play violent games in a long period of time, their minds are being changed. At the very beginning, some players may not be a violent person when approaching violent video games. However, they become violent if they are under a long term influence of violent games.  

So it is unavoidable that they are likely doing what they see on the games and want to do this in reality. They are becoming more addicted to it and negative behaviors have been developed. They cannot escape from it.

3. Should governments have the right to ban a certain game or place age restrictions on it? Why?

 I agree governments have the right to place age restrictions on violent video games. I think these restrictions are essential to provide guidance for players. For example, for those games contains violent and bloody elements, sex, controversial language and substance abuse, players who aged under 18 are restricted to play  themselves. This may protect them being affected by the games.

However, there is unnecessary to ban a certain game. It is because this policy would hinder the development of the video game industry and create barriers to being creative and innovative. I think governments should require the industry to rate their games and state the suitability age  of the games. Governments may censor the games regularly. This can ensure the industry follow the rules.