Computer Gaming and Adults

Should adults play computer games? That is a question that many people ask. When we think about people being obsessed with computer gaming, we often imagine them to be teenaged boys. However, more and more adults are becoming addicted to online games such as EverQuest and others. Many of these games cause people to interact with one another and some are violent. Harmless fun or dangerous?

Years ago, only children were the target market for computer gaming. Today, however, many computer games, especially the interactive games, are targeted to adults. Most of the adult computer games require teams of players. Adults who enter the game alone will be teamed up with another adult player. In some cases, romances develop. There have been several people who have divorced their mates over someone that they met on EverQuest.

Other adults have ended up losing their jobs because of an obsession with computer gaming. There have been cases where people have killed themselves over computer games, including one young man who shot himself over being rejected by someone he met on EverQuest.

Most people will argue that it is not the game that is to blame. A strong marriage will not break up over computer gaming and a stable individual will not kill himself over someone he has not even met. However, more and more adults are becoming entranced by computer games.

While obsession over computer gaming is clearly dangerous, playing the video games for fun and relaxation can be a good way for many adults to release stress. Most adults suffer from stress in their every day lives. Some computer games can alleviate stress much better than any pill. In this respect, they can be almost therapeutic.

Adults who play computer games or video games should be careful not to get too obsessive over the game. Obsession about anything can be dangerous. A computer game should be fun and relaxing, never a matter of life or death.

While we worry about our children becoming obsessed over computer gaming and spending too much time online, more adults are becoming intertwined with computer games, especially those in which they get to interact with partners. Is this because of stress or simply a way for a society to reach out to other individuals and lonely people to form bonds?

Other computer games that have been found to be addictive for adults are online gambling games, even those in which the players do not receive money. Some people tend to become addicted to any type of game that is a competition on the internet.

We all know that computer gaming can be addictive, but then so can the internet. It is important that adults, like children, temper their love for computer games with other activities and do not turn into a nation of people who need to be constantly entertained twenty four hours a day. While it can be fun to play computer games and interact with others online, it should not take the place of real life interactions or physical entertainment.

This week's letter and blog pingbacks in full (Guardian Unlimited)

SECOND LIFE, ISLAMIC STYLE Mohamed El-Fatatry has identified advantages of a virtual world dedicated to the religion of Islam, protected to some extent from interference and distractions of our 'real' world (In a virtual world of their own 11 December). Although in terms of their Genesis, virtual worlds including Second Life are in their very early days or verses it is already possible to ...

Early returns show strong holiday video game console sales (CNET via Yahoo! News)

Update (5:28 p.m.): This story now reflects additional data, including analyst perspective.

Vision chips (BBC News)

Mobile phone chips prepare for a generational shift

Despite Economy, Tech Industry Had Some Notable Advances (Hartford Courant)

It would have been hard for even the most innovative product to stand out this year in such a lousy economy. But even had the economy been good, the tech industry wouldn't have earned many headlines.

2009 International CES Exhibitor Profiles; Worlds Largest Consumer Technology Tradeshow Returns to Las Vegas, January ... (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)

LAS VEGAS----The 2009 International CES takes place January 8 - 11, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Sands Expo and Convention Center/The Venetian in Las Vegas.