Now and Again
By: Jack • Essay • 1,367 Words • December 20, 2009 • 696 Views
Essay title: Now and Again
Furry, harmless hedgehog? Or crazy suicidal Rodent? Average, everyday
plumber? Or, cruel, tortoise squashing pipe cleaner? Many teachers,
psychologists, game manufacturers, parents, and of course children
have debated this for many years - are video games affecting our
children in a positive or negative way? This is what I'll try to
uncover in this report.
You can find video games everywhere nowadays; they are in nearly every
child's home in one way or another, you can find them on mobiles,
arcades, Digital TV, portable games consoles and of course normal
games consoles. So, is this a good thing or not?
The history of video games dates back to the 1970's, where a man named
Nolan Bushnell developed an arcade video game called 'Computer Space'.
It had many technological innovations, but the game play was confusing
and the game didn't hit big in the market audience. However, from the
profit he made on it, he left his previous company, Nutting Associates
and formed Atari Inc. Here he developed a game along with Alan Alcorn,
which became the most revolutionary game in gaming history. The game
was called 'Pong' and it involved two vertical lines on opposite sides
of a net that could bounce back a moving dot. As simple as it was, the
game became an instant success when it was placed in a local gas
station. As a matter of fact, the arcade machine seized to operate due
to the great load of money inside it!
Throughout the years many more games were developed, but it wasn't
until 1981, that Nintendo became a competitor. Nintendo's first game
was 'Donkey Kong' and was designed by Shigeru Miyamoto, "One of the
greatest game creators in gaming history". The object of this game was
to control a 'jump' man character that had to rescue a girl from a
giant ape. Later on, the 'jump' man was to be named Mario, the most
successful and famous game character ever invented!
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Bad Points
Её Video games can affect many different skills. E.g. sports, music and
art. Performance in school can be affected if homework and reading are
neglected.
Её If played constantly, video games can stop important social
interactions between family and friends. The only reason they may want
to talk to friends is to find out about 'Secret passage ways' and
about levels.
Её This may result in lack of skills in speech which can lead to
nervousness/shyness in later life.
Её Some children may be liable to have epileptic fits. Although this
can be overcome by simply wearing an eye patch over one eye.
Good Points
Её Many computer games encourage hand-eye co-ordination.
Её They are a healthy way to release stress and anger accumulated over
the day.
Её They set problems to which children have to find solutions - this is
training for later life.
Её They're JUST GAMES!
Games vs. TV
Её Video games promote