Do you think playing video games can affect a person in a bad or good way?

I think we dismiss the whole violent video games = violent kids thing. However, doesn’t everything you do have an affect on you?

In other words, do you think that you would be affected differently if you spent the same amount of time you currently use for playing video games on something else, like running or painting?

I think reading a book is probably a better use of your time, but gaming is probably better for your brain than vegging out watching TV, at least your brain is trying to solve problems, figure out puzzles, etc.

Swatting is almost always related to idiot gamers. And by always I mean every time I have heard of. But maybe there is one case where the person is a psychopath (and not a gamer) so I will say “almost”.

But gamers have a bad reputation and they earned it.

It relaxes me to play a game and get my mind off things. Positive overall in my case

If you are spending hours and hours a day on video games, I would think you aren’t socializing at all and I can see how that would adversely affect a person.

Some doctors play videogames to hone their coordination, so by playing videogames I’m basically giving myself the same coordination as a doctor.

Great answers. @chyna I see your point, but does socializing on a console count? Or is that not considered socializing?

@Tbag Either as much, or no more than socializing on FB and crap haha. I’m pretty sure friendships have been made on CoD…but enemyship, also.

I think the worse way it can affect someone is if games ruin their school or work. As for all this bullshit about games making people violent, I just don’t buy it. Games get the same shit about this as rock music and movies did before. Violence has always existed, long before any game was ever made. Exceptions to the rule do not define the masses, because if it did, the streets would be in chaos right now. A lot of people play games, it’s not an industry for nothing. Most gamers are non violent.
Addiction to gaming, which exists, is probably the worst way that gaming can modify one’s behavior. Unfortunate, but it happens.

I may play video games myself, but unfortunately I can’t really find anything good about how it can change you, at least not anything practical unless you work in the gaming industry. It does sharpen coordination, I guess. It also offers inspiration, some people may get into art, writing or computer programming because of games, but that’s pretty indirect.

Although some gamers can be a weird bunch…obsessing over characters, fan fictions, rule 34, fighting over consoles and games in message boards, ugh. To each his own I guess, but I rather not affiliate myself with those kind of people. To be fair, this obsession thing happens with a lot of other stuff. Anime, movies, TV, books, comics…it’s not unique to video games at all.

Video games will get you to the middle of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs at best. I don’t see a problem with playing except when it prevents you from doing something that would ultimately help you reach the top of that hierarchy. (Moderation is the key which is difficult)

Most of my best memories throughout life had nothing to do with sitting at a console. I try to keep that in mind when I’m getting hooked on something on the screen. Of course, I’m human.. so I fail at wisdom daily.

Gaming is all good, i’m more likely to storm out & teabag the locals after watching Tom & Jerry, well…maybe not, but hey, it’s an idea :D

It’s both. There is good and bad. Hours and hours might be too much. Maybe broaden your horizons?

I think anything can have a negative effect if you put too much of your time and focus on it. I’ve been playing video games just about my entire life (got an Atari 2600 when I was around 5), but despite that I don’t play that much. I’d say an hour or two per day on average. Sometimes more, if I’m playing a new or particularly interesting game. Or sometimes I’ll go days without picking up a controller. Video games are one interest of mine, but I try to balance that out with many other interests.

@Apparently_Im_The_Grumpy_One

That might be the oddest argument in relation to video games, and the oddest reading of Maslow’s hierarchy, I’ve ever seen.