Video games

For most of us video games are just a bit of fun. We play it because it relaxes us, gives us a break from all the work in our daily life or simply because it's fun and/or addictive. However there are many people who actually study video games academically.

According to my lecturer, there are a variety of different types of games that are being studied. Some of these include Arcade Games, Consoles, Computer and Mobile games. Mobile games are especially popular these days because many people are getting smart phones and therefore buy one game after the other. As a result there is a good financial market for it. Research has also shown that the traditional 'male' gamer has changed into a more 'cross-gendered' community. Over the years more females have developed an interest for all different sorts of gaming.
 
There are three academic approaches to studying video games. The Social Science approach investigates both positive and negative effects of video games on users. Humanities approach examines the meaning and context that the games might have. The third approach is called Industry and Engineering approach, which studies the design and development of various games. Each of these approaches includes an enormous amount of work to be done. Especially if a spectacular and advanced video game is put under study. However another important aspect to keep in mind is the media effects of the game.

In the lecture, I watched a speech of a smart young woman who is on a video game convention. She explained how successful video games have a lot of thought and time behind it. They are designed after what users might want and what is most likely to succeed in today's society. In other words, video games are much more than just a bit of fun.

Taken from the Wall Street Journal on http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121460385251911957.html