Playing Devil's Advocate

We all have our own ideals and principals that we hold deeply. As a gamer I recognize the video games as an art form that allows people combine their talents and create something that can be seen, heard, and experienced first-hand. Playing a video game can improve someone's mood and allow for a relaxing experience after a harsh day. But despite these factors video games can cause difficulties such as obsession, aggression, and anti-social behavior when used excessively. If you are going to list all the benefits of something you enjoy then be prepared to acknowledge all the hazards.   

 

When you are victorious after a difficult boss fight or able to win a grueling competitive match you can easily become excited over your accomplishment. However as just as quickly that joy can turn to anger as the next moment can be filled with dread and frustration leading you to quit in an uncontrolled rage or continue playing in that aggravated state. Sometimes you don’t “rage quit” but instead allowed it to control you: hunting down the player who tea bagged your corpse or sending them a resentful message. But anger has become a more notorious feeling in the online world, especially with people who intentionally seek to cause trouble. Allowing that aggression to build up can led to regrettable action, it exist and we probably all went through it.

 

   

It’s easy to get lost in playing an intense match or finally reaching the final boss of the game, and then you realize that several hours have passed. This isn’t an issue when it happens rarely or on a day that allowed you to indulge in such behavior. It’s possible that time you spent playing that game was suppose to be used doing something else of more importance, then the next day you repeat the process. Playing Call of Duty, Skyrim, or any other title in such an excessive amount can lead you to ignore more significant things in your life. 

Obsession can easily lead to anti-social behavior. I was born before online gaming was established and lugging controllers or gaming consoles around in order to play multiplayer games with friends and family was necessary. Yes, since the release of Doom online gaming has been possible but in the modern age anyone can access online games from anywhere on almost any platform. You can technically state that playing video games online is a social experience because you are playing with other people, but it will never replace the feeling you get when playing with someone right next to you. Some games offer simple online modes that are tailored to small matches. But one of the most addicting games to this date is massively multiplayer games and no product has come close to the popular Blizzard game World of Warcraft. 

 

I can speak from experience that becoming addicted to a game is a terrible experience. You see yourself falling apart in the mirror, your grades suffering, and the people close to you abandoning you while you stare at a screen. But you don’t care and end up sacrificing those around you to sit in a chair for long hours into the night to improve a fictional character. In the end when and if you decide to quit then you are left with nothing but a hollow feeling of regret. I’m not trying to condemn MMO’s but stating that if not monitor games can take control of your life, but MMO’s are more prone to do so. 

Video games, no matter how wonderful they are, have a lot of hazardous qualities. If you don’t manage the amount you play it will cause you to lose sight of your own well-being. Video games are a great way to vent your anger, socialize with friends, or for simple entertainment. However like many other things when used in an unhealthy manner can lead to destructive consequences. 

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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