In Defense of Gaming

Suomeksi: http://erilaistaenglantia.blogspot.fi/2015/05/pelaamisen-puolustuspuhe.html
Many teachers and parents today are worried as young people can spend hours on end playing video games. I think some of their concerns are justified, some not so much. I suggest the loudest critics should get to know this dreaded hobby. Some might even be converted, who knows!

The classic Zelda game series is famous for its immersive gameplay,
many puzzles and beautiful music amongst other things. The game requires
versatile problem-solving skills.

Video games are often seen as a total waste of time. Here, I will comment on some of the accusations against gaming I've heard recently. The craziest thing is that most of the critics are not gamers themselves. So basically, they don't even really know what they are talking about!

Skyrim has enchanted millions of players around the world
into spending countless hours in its magical realm. Playing this game, you will learn
about making plans and carrying them out.

1) Gaming is not pointless waste of time

Whether you play a simple puzzle, a straightforward FPS (first person shooter), a complex strategy game or an immersive RPG (role-playing game), you play it because there is a point. Your point can be immersion - feeling that you as a player are a part of the story in the exciting other world. It can be hanging out with your mates irl (in real life), ingame or both, it can be the sense of achievement when you make progress in the game. It can be enjoying the amazing artwork (Graphics, music, text, interactions...) that is the game. It can be winning yourself, it can be relaxing and having fun. It can be all of these. Many games are pretty complex and demanding, too. Even a seemingly straightforward team shooter game becomes extremely challenging as the players develop their skills and strategies in cooperation with each other.

Counter Strike: Global Offensive is a popular team shooter game amongst my students.
Team-working skills are a must if you want to survive in this game.

As you play any game, you often have to use your problem-solving skills and complete tasks that may require knowledge in mathematics, languages, map-reading etc. Sometimes you need to be quick-thinking and fast, sometimes skillful resource management or, for example, good team-working skills are a must if you want to proceed in the game. Often, you actually talk with other people or communicate with NPCs (non-player characters) when you play. Gaming is often communication, not a solitary activity happening in isolation. You learn by playing and many skills you learn or improve in a game come in handy in your life outside the game, too. For example, gaming has improved my English a lot and strategy games have really taught me how to manage my meagre resources (time and money) at home ;).

In this strategy game, you need to skillfully manage your
resources. Logical thinking and maths skills are a must.

You can of course play many kinds of games and your approach to playing the game can vary from game to game or from week to week.  But do all tv-shows cater to your most sophisticated needs? Even if you enjoy slow food or classic books, sometimes you choose to eat in a hamburger joint or read a book just for its entertainment value. This doesn't mean all food is junk or all books silly. And this, of course, goes for gaming, too.

Small, independent Indie games such as Journey bring yet another dimension to gaming.
For many gamers, some games are pure art and gaming is seen as a form or art, art you can participate in.

2) Most gamers are not couch potatoes any more than you or me

 Lack of exercise is not only gamers' problem, it's everybody's problem. Both work and hobbies are often such that far too little time is spent either outdoors or exercising. It's the exact same with people working in offices, watching the telly, surfing the net... We should all get up and start exercising more. At the other end of the gaming spectrum, there might be a serious gamer who also plays football and/or has a job where he or she gets a lot of exercise. At the other end, a nerd who never leaves the house. The latter has a problem, the former doesn't.


If this is you, you should have got a life outside games a looong time ago!

By the way, there are some gaming applications that encourage you to move your lazy butt. In the not-so-distant future, these applications will be developed to new, amazing dimensions! When the technology is there to allow the sufficient level of immersion, I will definitely get some of my exercise from gaming rather than going to the boring old gym! I can picture physically slaying a holographic dragon after an exhausting one hour battle. But I would never skip wandering in a real forest, no matter what.


Up-and-coming gaming system Virtuix Omni gets you immersed in the game world. You also get a workout!

3) Gaming is a great hobby although it can be addictive

 I can say from personal experience that this is very true. Nowadays, I try and restrict my gaming to school holidays. This is a big sacrifice for me, but I want to do my job properly, have a life, be there for my big family and get enough sleep. So as a gamer, I have to regulate my gaming myself. I know grown-ups who are not able or willing to do this. This can, of course, result into serious life management or relationship problems.


Mass Effect -series lets the player change the storyline significantly in many ways.  In the game, the player
has several dialogue options with different outcomes. With this game, you're sure to improve your English!

Having said that, why would gaming in moderation be any worse than other "normal", yet potentially addictive activities such as watching your diet, surfing the net or drinking? Let's take drinking. It can be extremely addictive and has serious consequences for both the addict, the people around him and the society. This is the case yet I don't see anyone suggesting we forbid drinking because some people will inevitably develop an addiction. Instead, we try and inform our kids of dangers of drinking too much. We guide them and show them example so that when they grow up, they will hopefully be able to enjoy their drink in a responsible way or choose not to drink at all.

How to deal with your gamer student/kid/ teenager?

I don't think the solution to your worries about your teenager's/students' gaming habits is zero tolerance or slagging off someone's hobby, On the contrary, it's having an open mind and being grown up about gaming. We should be talking about the quality and quantity of diverse characters in games, fair play, the moral choices you face ingame, the importance of sleep and exercise, developing your social skills not just online but also face-to-face and so on. And we should talk about the joy of gaming, too. Even better - we could play games with our kids as long as they let us. I know I do. Until the day I'll get kicked out that is. And teacher, you could really spice up your lessons if you sometimes took gaming and made a lesson of it. I've done it and it has been both fun and educational.



Gaming world can sometimes be very conservative. Fortunately, there are many exceptions to the rule.
 Games such as Dragon Age allow you to choose your character's sex and sexual orientation. Baby steps.

 Younger gamers don't need adults who don't have a clue and who demonize their hobby. Similarly, they don't need "chill" grown ups who have no clue, either. The younger gamers need to be given responsibility, but they really need grown ups who are still able to be adults about gaming.

Consider a game where the player faces themes such as torture or rape. At least how old do you think one should be to play this kind of a game? Would you let your 8-year-old watch similar content in a tv show or a film? Games vary just like films. You should know what your kid is playing and for how long. You should also say no if need be. Students often know a lot more about games than teachers or parents do but they still need and deserve both boundaries, advice and support from us in the world of gaming. However, I don't see this as a gaming-specific issue. This is totally normal to any parent who is bringing up children - of course you need to find the age and personality appropriate balance between giving the kid some slack and setting him or her some boundaries.

Finally, I don't see anyone questioning the point of gardening, cooking, shopping, reading or playing golf. People do these things because they love to do them. I may not love these hobbies but that doesn't make them bad. The exact same goes with gaming. When comics came along, people were sure they would ruin their children. It was the same story with radio and with tv. I'm sure games won't ruin the kids, either.

I don't have a life. I have many lives. I am a gamer.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Venla

ps Would it surprise you if I told you that a vast majority of my most talented English students are gamers who say they've learnt most of their English from games? Their level of English is excellent and they have the ability to improvise and have the courage to communicate even when they are not 100% sure of the grammar. That's exactly the kind of language competence you need in this world. Awesome, huh?

I loved English at school and learnt a lot during my English lessons.
 Still,  gaming, books, music and films have
taught me even more. How about you?