Abstract:

Video games are the most popular free time activity nowadays and as new technologies develops very fast the games become more improved and realistic. The question is about good and bad sides of video games and this academic paper contains opinions of different people to understand affection of games. Going through varied sources and making the research the result is following: There are a lot of good games which helps people to learn and also big range of bad games which contains violence. Only consumer is making a choice which suits him.

So, this essay proved, people should not state that all video games are violent, a lot of argument shows that games helps people to learn.

Introduction:

Video games became very popular nowadays and everyone can play them. There is amazing quantity of video games in the market, so consumer can choose whatever he wants to play. Children can not imagine their free time without using computer and video games as well. But when was the first video game created?

Mary Bellis states that William Higinbotham created the first video game ever in 1958. His invention, called "Tennis for two," was created and played on a Brookhaven National Laboratory oscilloscope.

In 1962, Steve Russell invented Space War. Space War was the first game intended for computer use. Russell used a MIT PDP-1 mainframe computer to design his game.

These games were quite simple, but after 52 years games became more complicated and realistic. Visual effects and sound makes games look like reality. That is why people started to think that video games makes bad affect on players and even contain violence. So, there is the question: Are all the games bad and contain violence or there are good games too?

Conclusion

Are all the games bad and contain violence or there are good games too?

In the market it is possible to find so many cruel games, and otherwise big range of games which helps children to learn. But anyway a lot of video games contain violence, also visual effects and sound makes games look like reality. But the opinions of interviewees are different and the result is divided in 2 parts: 50% -video games are good and educative, and 50% - are bad and violent.

So, Douglas A. Gentile PHD 2009 argues that games can have both positive and negative consequences, and what researchers find would depends for what purpose they are testing.

Evaluation of Results

The research showed some results which helped to understand more about video games and answer some questions.

So, now it is possible to say that there are many good and bad games in the market, but even if the game is good it can make person addicted and this is bad affect of video games. Otherwise, it is possible to find many good games, which really helps children and also their parents to learn and develop the brain-educative games.

Now it is sure that some games really affect people mind, when player stops to separate virtual life and reality and this opinion is based on real accidents when people killed each other after playing video games. Video games became so realistic- the sound and graphics look so real that people mix virtual and real world together.

Talking about good games, they are very helpful for people, and can develop logical thinking. So, these games can be used by teachers at schools to help children to learn. The results also shows that children can start using clever games from early childhood and it will help in their personal development.

Findings and Recommendations

The opinions of interviewees are different and the result is divided in 2 parts: 50% -video games are good and educative, and 50% - are bad and violent. The main finding from the research is that there is a big range of good and bad games in the market, and only consumer decides which kind of game he/she wants to buy. If it is fighting game it is clear that it can contain violent scenes and realistic pictures of blood. If it is educative game it can attract player and help him to learn something new or develop logical skills. But I strongly recommend parents to be more serious about the choice of games and try to choose games suitable to their children. Also it is very important to follow playing hours, because games are so attractive, that children can not stop playing for many hours.

It is strongly recommend not playing video games very often, because even if the game is good sitting near computer for long time can affect eyes and is not healthy.

I also recommend video games producers to be more careful with making games and my advice is to limit the age of playing some video games.

Research Methodology

When I was given a topic to write on the Video Games and Violence the first idea came to my mind was to ask my friends over chatting and face to face meeting that what they think about games. I think it is the best method, because everyone has their own perception about it and their opinion is based on their personal experience of playing video games. Also how they are informed about this topic.

So, I am going to make an interview because I can ask my friends and it will look like usual conversation about the theme of every days life. That is why my questions will be about different small topics from my mind map. I did not choose pilot questionnaire, because it will take more time and not everyone would like to take part on it, especially when it is large. My project contains my opinion as well and I will use qualitative methodology, because in my opinion quantitative data is best for making statistics, but qualitative- for getting clear and intelligent answers.
It could be only some people asked, but their opinion may have deep sense of the theme.

In my academic paper I am asking a curtain question: ' Are all the games bad and contain violence, or there are good games too' ? and to answer it I have to collect definite opinions from my research.
From the beginning I did not know how I am going to make an interview and at this part I felt need to know the history of video games and the reason why they were created! There for I find important to approach the library to understand “VIDEO GAMES” first and then I would have clear idea about what and how should I write.
But actually I think that the Internet is informative and fast method as well, which I can use too.

I stick to some methods to help me write about my topic and they are as following
1) Books.
2) Journals.
3) Internet.
4) Friends Opinions.
Different sources will help me to make clear and qualitative questions for my interview and will help to make my conversation intelligent and interesting.

Ethics- is a very important part of the research, but I think that in my interview there are no confusing questions as I was thinking to make them available for everyone. Of course if I would decide to make a pilot questionnaire, I had to think about ethics more, because a large quantity of people would be asked and I would have to be sure that people can answer every question of mine without confusion or offense.

Literature revew

McBeath 2006 asks, are video games a main source of many major problems that plague youths today? And he answers that video games are one of the most popular ways youths entertain themselves today and a seemingly harmless game could be causing serious damage to the player. Video games can be connected to these problems for youths today: obesity, lack of social skills, decline in schoolwork productivity, confusion between real and unreal, and aggressiveness. He worries that video games are connected to obesity because instead of going outside and getting exercise youths are staying inside and playing video games. This sedentary lifestyle can bring nothing but trouble to youths and is very dangerous to their well being.
In his opinion, a young and impressionable child could possibly see what they are controlling on a video game and mistakenly think that they can do the same. This could further confuse the already baffled child on what is real and unreal. This could be even more prevalent with graphics in video games becoming even more realistic.
He also argues that children who are playing violent video games are being desensitized to this at a young age. Violent video games are even more damaging then seeing it on television because the player is controlling the violence and is most often rewarded for it. This could falsely lead them to believe that violence is accepted.

However, Manali Oak 2008 speaks on positive effects of video games. He publishes his article and says that it is not true that video games encourage anti-social elements and violence. Rather they affect the players positively.

In his opinion playing video games demands an interactive involvement of the players. As a player, person starts identifying with some character in the game and act for it. This excited state of mind has a positive effect on the player. Playing video games is surely better than watching television as video games are interactive.
He also adds that playing video games involves problem solving, planning, estimation and analysis of the moves or actions of both player and his opponent. This affects the player positively by developing in him/her problem-solving skills, analytical and estimation skills and quick decision-making
He notices that in playing video games, person needs to manage his resources such as the time, his armor or his people. This is a virtual activity but it evolves abilities of resource management and testing. He learns to recognize the types of situations and react to them with determination. Player learns to map the virtual world scenarios to those in the real world.

European Parliament 2009 has been debating whether to limit children’s access to video games. In a press statement , the parliament concluded that games could have “harmful effects on the minds of children”. But headline in the Guardian Magazines 2009 says, “Video games are good for children.”

One study suggests that video games make young people more aggressive and other study would argue that video games helps us learn.

Douglas A. Gentile PHD 2009 argues that games can have both positive and negative consequences, and what researchers find, would depends for what purpose they are testing.

Are all the games bad and contain violence, or there are good games too?

VARK reflection

After filling VARK questionnaire the result was that I am a visual learner and it did not surprise me. For me it is the best way to remember any information. I remember a funny situation from school: If I did not remember the text which I was reading, I could say on which page was it, which pictures was on this page and through some visual information I could try to explain the sense of the text.
Also, I have got many points for reading and writing. Maybe it is because the last time I am spending a lot of time doing this and it really helps me to remember something. I often use dictionaries and also write down new words from different languages which I am learning. Anyway, to remember something I need to write it, only through this process I can effectively learn the information.
I have got some points for kinesthetic way of learning and it is good, I like this style because it is the best way to enjoy learning. It is nice to have visual and emotional impressions which could become unforgettable memories, especially when we are working in groups.
My least favourite style is aural. I find it quite difficult to sit and listen the information. I am not attentive to it because it does not attract me. It is much better to have a lecture in active form. I like when teachers show some slides, diagrams or make some questionnaires where we can take a part. So, it has to be in a game form. I find it interesting and easier to remember.
In fact, what really surprised me that I did not get any point for aural way of learning. It is very strange because I thought that I could get 1 or 2 points for it. So, I have to improve this style and try to concentrate more when I am listening something. Maybe it would be useful to buy a sound recorder, then I could listen the information twice or three times more.

SWOT ANALYSIS

SWOT ANALYSIS


STRENGTHS

I am an optimistic, determined and hard-working person. Also I am purposeful, very patient and responsible. If I have any difficulties I never give up, but the best thing is my list of goals which I write to be progressive, and if something is already done I just cross it out. Maybe for many people it is not usual but it really helps me a lot.


WEAKNESSES

I am not so brave. Sometimes I can make an excellent presentation but be scared to talk in full class of people who are looking at me. Moreover, as English is not my native language I have some problems with the writing and use of English, so I have to work on it more.


OPPORTUNITIES

I can become a good designer and to learn new IT technologies. Also I can develop my English skills. After 3-year long education I can become a good specialist and have an opportunity to apply for muster degree.


THREATS

I have to enjoy my studies because if I become bored it is twice difficult to do something. Also it is important who am I working with.
Culture shock- as I am in foreign country my life completely changed, so I have to be psychologically ready for any difficulties which can affect me.