It was not a long time ago when the computer world praised the arrivals of games like tic-tack-toe and even the Super Mario Brothers – technological and creative geniuses of their times. The games were simple then, hurdles the enemies and proceed to the next stage. The basic controls were the arrows, moving the characters forward and back and jump up and down.

Then came the interactive multi-player games where friends can battle each other or help each other go through the stages. So many keyboards and joysticks were smashed as fight games ruled the era. Characters with powerful kick and secret weapons dominated. It was the pinnacle of enjoyment for many.

However, it was not the last. Thereafter followed the role-playing games, the simulators, strategy games, then came the Internet which connected millions of gamers into a virtual world where they could explore, interact with other players from other countries.

These days, the race had somehow bottlenecked with no other technology exploding in the market after the Wii consoles, the Playstation and the Xbox, two of which had been churning out faster versions every so often.  The battle has indeed shifted, this time into content of the games and the overall exhilaration of the experience of gaming.

Faster graphic engines and computer processors opened the floodgates to realism first-person adventures, may it be on the battlefield, downtown Miami, Staples Center, the race tracks of the Monaco or even world of outer galaxy planets. One thing that evolved throughout the years though is that games have graduated from simple entertainment into thinking exercises. Where strategy is vital and a player’s personality and transported into the consoles and into the game. Games are no longer for the kids who are out on a weekend. They are now for adults looking forward to relieving stress and to have some loads of fun.

The next generation video games are on the horizon. Head sets with 360-degree views and virtual reality engines are fast approaching. However, while complicated gadgets are being developed so are portable gaming devices aimed at the people that are always on the go. The inter-connectivity and interactivity of games are also a future that has game developers racing to crack.

May it be breaking the boundaries of the virtual and real, or bringing all-weather entertainment in a gadget the size of the wallet games has brought a new level of fun but also perspective into people’s lives.  It somehow brings all of us, busy and hectic as we may on our daily grind, to those days when we were children. Video games bring out the child in us, raring to go out and play.

Over the years, there has been a lot of dispute whether the harm caused by computer games on a person’s imagination and potential outweigh its positive impacts. So let us try to spell out why so many people are glued to the monitors of their computer.

Accessibility and Appeal

The accessibility of computer games nowadays seems to be very convenient to the majority of the people. Nearly everyone has a computer and an Internet connection. These games seem to allure more people, as there are plenty of varieties to suit their comfort such as PlayStation, Nintendo, XBox360 and the Wii. Several of them involve wide-ranging subjects and situations, which will definitely give the gamers a sense of pleasure.

However, it is important to consider the ratings of the games that appeal to you. Like for instance in children, some games include high rating content and are extremely violent, which is not safe for them to engage in. It may cause them to exhibit hostile emotions to the point of acting out the characters in the game. So parents should be on guard.

Friends

A lot of people, children in particular now prefer playing and competing games against the computer rather than going out to have fun with friends in the playground. This setting has made a lot of negative impact to the kids since this persuades them to spend more hours caged up on their own until such time that they lose their communication and social skills. However, this has been given remedy with the development of broadband, which now provides ways to connect and chat with friends and other players worldwide.

A multiplayer game usually requires groups of people instantly working together and developing strategies to win the game without needing to get to know each other. In the real world such as in the workplace, this scenario is of particular benefit wherein strategic thinking, communication and teamwork are of primary importance in achieving a goal.

Virtual world

The virtual world is capable of stealing our mind’s eye into a world far beyond our imaginations—an alternate world full of adventures, mysteries, battles, fun and education. Many of these games let us do anything that is impossible for us to accomplish in real life. You can be the richest person you ever want to become, be the most powerful human being to eradicate all your enemies or simply be a genius, skilled at destroying humankind.

Then again, there are games that unintentionally make passionate gamers hold on until the game is over or when a mission is accomplished. This, however, is a menace to the gamers. They will turn out to be lazy around the house, fall into a limbo of forgetfulness and set aside important tasks. This, you should not allow to happen.

Challenges

Aside from tricking-out our controllers and developing some hand-eye coordination, games gave us a sense of challenge and achievement with every level we need to qualify in order to win. Every time we defeat various challenges and levels, we feel like a winner directing us to high confidence levels. However, let us be aware that not all challenges we encounter in a computer game can be applied in actual existence.

Keep in mind that once upon a time, computers were all work and no play. It just started when geniuses designed some fun stuff to be used as diversions and despite what detractors may say about the influence of gaming on society, one thing is for certain— game developers are creating newer games of different concepts and better games for one and all, so they are here to stay for good.

With playing computer games, nobody can stop you from getting the excitement you want because we all want to unwind at the end of the day. There is nothing wrong with spending a little time playing games because the desire to play depends on oneself and like anything, should be in moderation. A computer game is a friend when played in moderation and an enemy if exceeds beyond your control.