Are Video Games Becoming Too Much Of An Influence on Children?

Ok, growing up as a 90's baby I remember having a huge imagination. I can remember my friends and I playing outside or in the basement Barbies, dinosoaurs, lego's, jump rope, pirates. Back in those days playing with toys and playing outside was the hip thing to do. We had video games but it never consumed hours of our time. Now however, video game & technology consume the lives of children. Now some may say video games have turned into educational tools that are helping students. I however, see it as a way that children are losing a bit of their creativity and touch with the real world. Before children use to come together to play outside activities with their friends. Now they are coming together to play video games in the home.  I don't think video games should be put away completely, but I don't feel as though parents should place as much emphasis and energy on allowing their children to play video games for hours at a time. Tips I think parents should follow to help ensure their children not to get sucked into video games are:

1. Set a limit on how long your child can be on the game. It's ok for children to play, but don't have them play for hours on end. Have your child do something active.

2. Know the game rating on the games your child plays. If your child is 10, they should not have a game that's rated M for mature. It's violent content can do damage to a child's mental growth if not monitored enough.

3. Play with your children. Playing a game as a family doesn't allow the child to get wrapped up into the game. It gives a chance to bond with the child.

4. If under the age of 16, keep the game system in the living room. The living room is something everyone has to use so a person can only have but so much time playing a game.

5. Do your research. As parents it's your responsibility to see and know what is influencing your children. Check on the games they are playing, find out why they like it and if its causing a negative affect on your child.

Bottom line almost 97% of children now are playing video games. Not saying video games are bad, but they are becoming too dependent on by kids.  By kids being wrapped up into games and technology I feel as though a part of their youth is missing. Kids should be spent playing with other kids and not just by playing a video game together. I truly hope that just because we are in the 21st century that the lives of children don't continue to be consumed by technology and games. If so, imagination and creativity I feel will truly die.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/16/survey-97-percent-of-chil_n_126948.html
http://www.pamf.org/preteen/parents/videogames.html

A Nightmare on Elm Street

As a huge horror fan, one of my favorite scary films is a classic: A Nightmare on Elm Street. It's something about the plot of Freddy Kruegar's strive for vengeance in a person's dream. However, although the movie franchise did a great job, it doesn't mean turning Freddy into a game would get as much success. 

Plot of Game: Find Freddy bones through Elm Street to place them in a furnace to end his diabloical terror in people's dreams. This was a four player game that had a player pose as a teenager punching and jumping over creatures such as snakes, rats and bats. Also mysterious things fall from the sky that players are suppose to dodge.





Although I have never played this game myself, watching the play through from two different players showed just how ridiculous I felt this game was. First off, I felt the game had NOTHING seriously to do with the film. The only thing related to the movie was Freddy Kreugar and his bones. Not even a significant relation. I have no idea what the point of the rats and snakes was. Not to mention, it looked confusing. I would not recommend anyone to play this game. It doesn't even look fun for it's time. 




http://classicgames.about.com/od/consoleandhandheldgames/fr/A-Nightmare-On-Elm-Street-Freddys-Nes-Nightmare.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Nightmare_on_Elm_Street_(franchise)

The Game: BULLY

I was first introduced to this game by my Best Friend. She was obsessed with this game and had been playing for months. One day she finally convinced me to play and from the beginning I was in for something I'd never expected.




As you can see from the intro this game is not for children. The game was rated T for teens as it deal with strong controversial issues in this game. The premise of the game entails a boy named Jimmy Hopkins who is left at boarding school by his mother. His purpose is to work his way up the social ladder dealing with bullies, girls, teachers and any other obstacle that come his way. Jimmy is a reckless teen boy trying to rule the school with every task thrown at him.

Bully was released on October 17, 2006 for the Playstation 2. The game however was banned from a few countries, two being Brazil & United Kingdom, for heightened sexuality placed in the game. In Bully, Jimmy can not only kiss girls, but boys as well. Not only is sexuality present in this game, but a high rating for violence.

Although the game had a circle of controversy, the game was quite successful transferring over into the Wii and Xbox. It's also considered one of the games to play before you die. I would have to agree!


http://www.rockstargames.com/bully/home/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bully_(video_game)#Development

The History of Mario

Ok, so everyone remembers Mario as the short little Italian plumber. He's a character that has become an icon in the gaming industry. His character recognizable by his Italian accent and blue & red apparel. Over the years of it's creation by Japanese game designers, Mario has transitioned through looks, obstacles, and genres. Usually the protagonist in his games, Mario has appeared in over 200 games!

1. Donkey Kong(1981-82)- This was Mario's first appearance the world. He played an antagonist role as he was a simple carpenter. His name however, was not Mario but "Jumpman" It later was changed to Mario when he started to starring in his own games. 

2. Super Mario Brothers(1983-89)- Mario was then introduced into his own series of games where he became the protagonist. The first part of the series was Mario Brothers which was an arcade game at first. It stared Mario and his younger brother Luigi. The premise of the game was to defeat creatures in the sewers of New York. The game eventually went on to be made into a console game where Mario has to save Princess Peach from King Koopa. This game eventually went on to two other parts: Super Mario Brothers 2 & Super Mario Brothers 3. 

3. Super Mario Land(1989-1995)- This game series involves Mario trying to rescue Princess Daisy from an alien named Tataanga. He has to travel through four geographical areas. This game to me was not that exciting but it made sequels so it wasn't that bad to others.

4. Super Mario 64(1996-2002)- This is one of my favorite games involving Mario. The synopsis of the game is basically this: Princess Peach sends a letter to Mario to join him for tea. When he arrives the Castle is being taken over by Bowser. In order to rescue the Princess, Mario has to unlock secret worlds and gain a certain amount of Star Power. This game was released on the Nintendo 64, his firs time being a 3D character. 

Mario appeared in other games such as Mario Karts, Super Mario Sunshine, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, Super Smash Brothers and many more! He remains a widely used video game icon in the gaming industry. Growing up with him and seeing his transformation from then to now has been an amazing journey. He still remains one of my favorite video games characters. :)

Arcade Games

When I think back to my childhood there was a time I was quite fond of arcade games. It was something about feeling the change in my hands as I put it into the slots. Getting myself ready for whatever game I was about to take on. It was an experience, especially when I was truly confident about the game I was playing. Now although arcade games aren't as popular as they use to be, they still exist and have had a huge impact on the gaming industry. Lets take a look at some of the arcade games they have affected the industry.

1. Pong(1972)- This is considered to be one of the earliest arcade video game they came around in 1972. This was a basic two player tennis game. It was two dimensional and considered mainstream. This game was so influential that it led to other games and helped set off the game industry.

2. Space Invaders(1978)-A game created and sold by Japan. It's basic function was to shoot aliens with a laser cannon and to gain points for each shot .The purpose is to defeat five rows of aliens. This game was very popular and earned almost $2 billion dollars in quarters

3. Pac Man(1980)-Pacman was one of the first games to appeal to both genders since the time of Pong. The premise of the game is to go through a maze eating the pac dots. With each level you pass, it gets harder and the colored enemies get faster in trying to attack you. The Pac Man symbol has shown up on everything and is highly recognizable. This game is also considered the highest growing video game bringing in 2.5 million dollars in quarters!

4. Street Figher(1987)- This is one of my favorite arcade games. This game is more than just a typical fighting game. It's considered one of the best video game franchises bringing in $1 billion dollars in revenue. It's also been turned into films and comic book series. 

5. Tetris(1988)- Mainly known for a game played on hand helds, was a successful arcade game as well. It's a game available on every console. It was signed over to Atari Games for the arcade game purpose. It remains top playing game with many variations and features constantly being added on. 

These are just a few classic arcade games in our history that have affected and influenced the gaming industry to date. These five games have really influenced how games are looked at and have spread off into different areas in the gaming world. Arcade games, although not as popular as they once were, are still played to this day! Without the support from the Arcade games, I don't think the gaming industry would be where it is today. 

Will Wright's The Sim 3

Ok, so I couldn't help but come back to this game seeing as it is my favorite game to play. This game for me is one of the best simulation games created. It gives you complete control to design different scenarios to act out. For me, it's not only an escape but a virtual world where I'm in charge of everything and everyone.

Creating The Sims- In the Sims 3, you have more free range now to create the person you desire. In the newest edition to this trilogy a person is able to change skin tones, hair color(highlights, tips, base color), hair styles, body shape(any range from skinny to fat to scrawny to bulk), age difference(baby, toddler, teen, young adult, adult, elder), tattoos and facial hair. A person also has the free range of dressing their Sim in any format from Casual Everday to Pajamas to Dressy to Work Out apparel. By the advance technology of the game people are able to design the way their Sim looks more precisely than ever before.

Building The House- In building the house in the Sims 3 you have all the freedom in the world to design the house of your dreams or the home of disaster. The possibilities are endless in the home. A person can use a home that's already built and ready to go, or they may want to try a hand and creating their own masterpiece. In building the house you design the shape, the layout, decorate the rooms with furniture and color. Anything you dream involving a house can be done. You can make it big, small, medium, lots of furniture, no furniture. 

Living the Life- Once you create your Sims and their house, the fun really begins. It's this stage of the game you get to explore different scenarios with the Sims created. You can make a rich family, poor family, single households, Sims with jobs, Sims with multiple kids. I mean the situations and personalities are endless! No Sim is alike. Every Sim has their own personality and ambitions and wants. As the player you get to control all of it though. 

With this game the player has ultimate control to do whatever they feel is right or wrong. You can play out scenarios and situations and have do overs unlike the real world. This game espeically appeals to me when I have so much going on in my life and can't control all of it. It helps me find control and balance elsewhere. I agree with Will Wright on how simulation games definitely allow you to see fast results and play out a fantasy. I feel it everytime I play it which is why I'm addicted! :)

The History Of Hand Held Video Games

The history of hand held video games has taken quite the turn in the last few decades. They have gone from large to small, black & white to color. So many transitions to it.

1. The Atari Lynx(1989) was a plain looking gray hand held. However as plain looking as this hand held may look it's considered to be one of the first handheld game console with color LCD. Also, it contained features that were advanced for it's time such as support 17 other players, backlit screen, supported zooming sprites, switchable configuration for right hand and left handed people,

2. The Game Boy(1989)- The first of many to be produced. Manufactured by Nintendo and created by Gunpei YoKoi. It was a new version of a handheld that had directional pad, rechargeable battery, and link cable.

3. Watara Supervision(1992)- This handheld was created to compete with its compettitor The Game Boy. Two versions of this game was created. The first was similar to a Game Boy with a slightly larger screen. The second one came in three colors(yellow, gray and green) and could be bent a little for a players comfort. However although it was a success it was still no match to it's competitor eventually dying out.

4.The Turbo Express(1990)- This handheld came out following the Atari Lynx created in Japan. It was created as a mini version of the original console, TurboGrafx. This handheld was in color, could display 64 sprites, and could play all the TurboGrafx games which came on HuCards. Now although this game was pretty advanced for it's time, it still had problems and issues. One problem being sound failure. Another being the price of $300.

5. The Neo Geo Pocket Color(1999)- came out in Japan and would later follow in the United States. Created by SNK, it was a 16 bit colored hand held and other features including 2 scrolling planes, 64 sprites, and 160X152 Resolution. This handheld was in major competition with The Game Boy, infact it became more of a success. However in 2000, it was pulled from United States Market due to commercial failure. 

6. The Game Boy Color(1998)- The game boy was originally released in Japan and later that year in the United States. Bigger than the game boy pocket it contained color and was thicker and longer. It was also created as an upgraded version of the original Game Boy which makers felt wasn't as sufficient. It was more advanced and the color pushed it over the edge. 

7. The Nintendo DS(2004)- A part of the Nintendo family it becomes one of the first handhelds with two screens and it was also touch screen. It started a whole new way to enjoy handhelds. It also had a built in microphone and allowed players to interact with each other in certain ranges. It continues to be a success as in 2006 they released Nintendo DS Lite. It is currently one of the best handheld consoles to date.

8. Playstation PSP(2005)- This handheld was released in Japan of 2004 and later released in North America in 2005. It's the first handheld to use optical disc format. Other exciting features include a larger screen, internet access, and connectivity with the original consoles. This handheld has been such a success since it came on the scene with new releases each year for it.  

Storytelling

When I think to certain video games I played as a child I remember I loved the games with a good story line. The story line was captivating and intriguing and helped me stay in tune with the games. Two games in particular that I felt had a great story line and I would play until I reached the end were A Yoshi Story and Super Mario. These two games




A Yoshi Story: I was about nine or ten when I first started playing this game. Now when I think back to this game I think at how easy it is to play. However, back then I thought it was such a challenge to beat. The story is basically this: The Yoshi's live on Yoshi Island in a world of happiness with their Super Happy Tree. The Super Happy Tree is what gives the Yoshi joy and happiness. However, it is stolen by Baby Bowser who is jealous of the Yoshi's. He turns their world into a story book in which the Yoshi's have to go through each page to retrieve.

To me this game was a challenge because you had to collect 30 different fruits to get to the next page. With each page came a new challenge and new difficulties. I recall being so into this simple story line as a child that I would play for hours to get through the levels. This game took me longer than it should have to beat. But as simple of a story line as it was it kept me interested. I understood the purpose of why I was collecting the fruits, why I was trying to get the tree back and the importance of each level. Without the story line I would have been confused as to why I was trying to beat the game.
                                                                 **********

Super Mario: This is by far my favorite game of all time on a console. This game had so many challenges and obstacles that it took me months if not longer to beat this game. This story for this game is basically this: Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach and her servants from her castle. In this midst of this Mario has to travel through the castle now controlled by Bowser to gain Star Power to eventually fight Bowser and retrieve Princess Peach. Seems simple? It's not.



This game was by far one of the hardest games with a story line I had ever played. I was so into this game that I would isolate myself for hours on end to get to the next level at all cost. The story line to me was such a great one because each level connected to each other in some way. I wasn't just gaining stars just to gain them. Everything I did was significant and important to move onto the next level. To me this story line holds up because it had action, suspense, challenges. Everything anyone could want was in this game making it one of the best story line games in my eyes.

Escapism Vs. Addicting

Video games....why do we play them? I mean whether you're a gamer or not there's usually one game a person enjoys playing. For some people it's just a mere escape from reality. Some temporary relief from the real world that brings satisfaction. However, for others, it's strictly an addiction. They've become so wrapped up in a game that for them reality doesn't exist, only their virtual world. Now depending on the game it's very easy to cross that escapism line and become an addict. Here are some examples of what I think are escapism games:

1. Solitaire- It's a simple game that doesn't take the place of reality. It's a game a person strictly plays as a way to  have fun and ease the mind of real world stresses.

                                            

2. Mario Kart- Doesn't have a direct story line so it's harder to become addicted. This game is usually played briefly and is easier to step away from. In Mario Kart for either Nintendo 64 or the Wii i short played with four rounds. 

                                          

Games that I feel are ADDICTIVE:

1. My favorite game of course, The Sims 1, 2 or 3. The Sims triology is definitely an addictive game because it has no end. You can constantly create and delete and create families and goals in this game. It's hard not to get wrapped up into this game as if it was your own life. 

                                         

2. World of War Craft-Now although I've never played this game personally I have yet to meet anyone who has played this game and not become addictive. From what I've heard about it it's like a fantasy world. 

                                      

3. Super Mario- This game is addicting. I use to play this game when I was younger and I'd isolate myself for days on end to constantly make it to the next level. The story line of Mario in search of Princess Peach drags you into a world of adventure, suspense, and challenges. Because this game takes a long time to beat it's so easy to get sucked into it and forget reality. 

                                       

So my point that I'm trying to make is that video games can sometimes take the place of reality in a good or bad way. It's o.k. to take a brief break fro reality but it can be damaging if a game takes the place of reality full time. 

The Sims Trilogy

So anyone who knows me knows that I'm obsessed with The Sims games. I've been playing them since I was younger and every time I play I get a new type of high. 







The Sims: This was the very first Sims game that came out in 2000. I remember I had heard about it through friends from school. Everyone seemed to have it! I would love playing with it at my best friends house. I loved making the families and getting them to get married and also the children with school. I loved everything about it. I would stay up late at night on my computer playing this game getting lost in the stories I created. At the time I didn't think they could get any better especially with the awesome expansion packets they had. It was a dream!

The Sims 2: Now I'm not sure what made me stop playing the first Sims but I stopped playing for years! It wasn't until last year that I kept seeing The Sims games everywhere. Everytime I  would see a commercial for a Sim game I'd want it. So as a gift I received the Sims 2. Now after not playing the Sims games for a while I was a little rusty. But after a few hours of non stop playing, reading, and figuring out, I go the hang of it. After that I became OBSESSED!! Literally this game took over my life day and night. I'd go to sleep playing it and get up in the morning and play it. I'd wait until the very last possible second to do homework because they game consumed my life. For me though it wasn't just a game, it was a whole new world. In the Sims 2 there were so many new features like clothes, houses, people, story lines. The details were indescribable. Everything was enhanced to a higher degree then in the first one. 








The Sims 3: It wasn't much longer before I was given Sims 3 and just exploded with joy! It's the game that I currently have and am in love with. Currently I'm not so addicted but when I first got it, again I isolated myself to play this game for hours on end. The features in this game were mind blowing! It's hard to think that the first Sims ever existed. In Sims 3 you can create your Sim in such details from body types, skin tones, more hair styles, clothes, colors, age. They have more personality traits, aspirations, dreams. They have cars and they can age. The stuff that Sims 3 has is unbelievable! Every time I play it I find something new. I can never get bored with it because if I do I just start over with a new family. This is seriously by far my favorite game!!

Old School Gamer

In the 21st century video games have taken such a dramatic turn that it's hard to imagine video games ever existed two dimensional. However, with all the new and exciting games that have been founded and created in the last decade, I still have to say I'm an old school gamer. For me, old school games from the 90's and late 80's just can't be beat. They're classics!! Here are my Top Four:


4. Street Fighter: Who doesn't remember playing this game? It's simply timeless. I remember playing this game with my older brothers. Now I'm not the most competitive person but this game I can't help but get aggressive and just want to kick someone's butt. For me it wasn't too violent or crazy like some games but still got the point across. Still one of my top favorites.


                                                       
3. When I think of this game I cant help but to laugh. The idea of a hedgehog as a main character cracks me up. This game I remember was a fun challenging game. You could play by yourself(which I did alot) or play with others. I remember having to collect the gold rings and trying to learn his spin move. Although it wasn't the most popular of all games at the time, I still label it as a classic that I loved. 


2. Mortal Kombat- For me, Mortal Kombat is a more intense and violent version of Street Fighter. This was one of my favorite games to play when I was younger and even to this day I'll play this game all night sometimes. It just brings out my inner beast. Something about learning new moves and learning new ways  to hurt your opponent that makes the game better everytime I play. I use to be very bad at this game for the longest time. It wasn't until a year ago that I got better after hours of endless practicing, blood shed and screaming at the television. This to me is still one of the best fighting games around. 


1. Super Mario 64- Last but not least is Super Mario. Now this game is definitely by far my favorite game ever to be created. This game has a great story line, challenges, characters, and great imagery. Everything about this game is perfect. I remember when I first got this game as a child and would isolate myself for days on end to play this game just go try and get to the next level. The first time I beat the game it took me a while. After that, I beat the game another 3 times easily learning more tricks and different tactics. This game will always be a classic and will always be remembered!




So those are the games that I grew up with. I love them all in their own way. All these games helped I think, to define certain video games today. These games had huge impact on the game industry today and should always be acknowledged for their greatness!