Rhizome Experiment, Fall 2015

Myth of "Mindless" Video Games

        People who dislike video games often compare them to television. Gamers themselves almost never use this analogy. "Television is something you watch. Video games are something you do, something you do to your head, a world you enter, and, to a certain extent, they are something you 'become'" (Turtle 1984, 501). The main selling point of video games is that they are interactive worlds within the computer. Mastering a video game is anything but mindless. Video games require gamers to develop complex skill sets and to quickly adapt to specific situations. Gamers must learn how to apply previously learned skills to new games, adjusting their strategies to accommodate each game's limitations. Strategy is the key to mastering video games. First, the gamer must figure out the logic and rules of the game. Then, they must apply their skill set and knowledge to the game. During the game, players must adapt their strategy in a split-second based on each situation. Video games teach gamers how to learn. Jon Levine talks about the benefits of playing video games on people's intelligence.
        Video games' interactivity is a major reason why they have such holding power on people. The ability to immerse yourself into the game is enticing to many gamers. In a video game, the player must act for the character. This puts gamers into a focused state. Many people seek this aspect of video gaming. They find relaxation in total concentration on the game.

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