Gaming is a growing epidemic that is taking our society by storm. All ages, from elementary to elderly, are finding themselves wrapped up in the madness and addictiveness of such games. Computer, online international, iPod, Wii, Nintendo, Xbox and PlayStation games are all part of this fantasy world so many of us are falling into. Are they really all they have cracked up to be?
I believe gaming is becoming such a strong fad in our society that many people are losing sight of reality. I am not saying playing a few video games here and there is a bad thing, but when it gets to a point where you choose video games over everything else is a problem. Not only do video gamers not get to interact as much with the real world, but they are living a fantasy life that has no possibility of coming true. Video games as a whole isolates people and captures their interest so fast that they barely have any time to “fight back”. They find themselves in front of a television or computer screen for numerous hours a day, losing interest in the real world. They do not interact with other people as much because they would rather interact with the characters in the games. They would rather play the game than hang out with friends or sometimes even their own family. What once was a fun way to play with your friends has now turned in to an addictive, captivating and isolating way of life.
Not only do video games deter us from interacting with our society and other acquaintances, online social networks also contribute. Facebook is one of the most popular networks that has hit the web and includes millions of users. Although Facebook seems to possess positive qualities, it has the same effect as gaming. We would rather be on Facebook and chat than to actually talk to someone face to face. It has become so easy that we cannot see ourselves turning back to the way things used to be. With the easy access to the internet and games, we have lost sight of reality and would rather stare at a computer screen and build relationships online than to actually go out and do things for ourselves. Our society should use gaming and the internet in adequate amounts and should not let it control our lifestyle. Gaming is a fun way to spend time with a group of friends, but we have to be careful that we know how much is too much.
Most people who play video or online games like World of Warcraft are not unstable or trying to "live in a fantasy world." The vast majority of them are perfectly normal people who enjoy the fun and challenge that games offer. They often meet their friends from the "real world" online and play with them, so they are actually improving real life relationships. There will always be those who take these things to the extreme, but they are in the tiniest minority, so try not to judge so much when you hear someone call themselves a gamer or that they play WoW or other "nerdy" games, at least not until you try it yourself.
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