Video Games: An Escape from Reality

      Video games have been in my life since I was 4 years old. One of the first video games I got was Pokémon red and Pokémon blue version. I remember spending hours upon hours reaching new stages, catching new Pokémon, and progressing through the game. That moment I beat the elite four and faced my rival, was my very first “Epic Win.” I was hooked.

               

      Many older people have yet to understand what is so great about video games. I work in retail (Target electronics) and I would often have old people ask for suggestions and gift ideas. I had one customer ask me, “What is so special about this video game? It is so popular with the kids and I think it looks stupid...” I asked her if she watched TV and she said yes. I asked her if she had a favorite book or TV program and she replied with another yes. I asked her why she did these things almost on a daily basis, and she replied with, “It gives me an escape from reality. I can be those people in the books. I can relate to the emotions on the television.”

             

      She had answered her own question! Video games are amazing in certain aspects of life. They allow you to be the person you want to be, or do the things you could not do otherwise. I can be Batman, a soldier, or even a NBA superstar. Could I do these things in real life? Hell no. Through video games I have become more persistent in my everyday life. I have the mentality that there can always be a way to succeed or accomplish something. My hand-eye coordination is top notch and I find I make quicker real life decisions (on average) than my counterparts who don’t play them.

              

      Although there are many positives, there are negatives as well. Too much of anything can have negative consequences, and we must recognize this. I am not a violent individual and I play very violent games. I look at video games like the older women looked at books or a TV show. It is a journey, it is made up, and it is often fictional. It is something that we have grown up with and are used to. It brings us back to simpler times where all you wanted was that next achievement, that next level up. To lose yourself in the moment.

My favorite quote from Winnie the Pooh:

“What day is it?"
It's today," squeaked Piglet.
My favorite day," said Pooh.” 
― A.A. Milne

To lose yourself in the moment, is why I play video games.