Video Games

Video Games

“A video game is a game that involves a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device” (Haugen 5). The word video in video game traditionally mean a “raster display device” (Prensky 14). However, with the popular use of the term “video game”, it now implies any type of display device. Super Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Street Fighter are familiar names. They are all best selling games of major video game consoles. Over 9.8 billion dollars were spent on video games in the United States during 2001 alone, and video game consoles are present in 36 million homes in the United States (Din 36). With the increasing amount of time that people are spending on video games, it is becoming important to wonder what effects video games have on the people who play them. Playing video games acts as an exercise, while it also improves our physical skills such as visual, social and language skills. On the other hand, beside from easing our stress, it broadens our imagination. All in all, video games are physically and mentally beneficial.
Most of the people in the world fail to understand the physical benefits of video games. Playing video games actually acts as an exercise while “video games are becoming more integrated with sports equipment” (Prensky 125). Nintendo's Wii video game system, which is popular for its “action” system, is a common example.
Childhood obesity and the care of our elderly are both pressing social concerns in America. Wii seems to address both issues while people are playing Wii games as an exercise. Playing the Wii makes an impact on the user’s heart rate, energy expenditure and amount of calories burned. Independent studies are producing positive results that playing Wii regularly can decrease body fat, lower resting heart rate, lower BMI (Body Mass Index), and result in weight loss (Haugen 55-56). This kind of exercise is also used in physical therapy. Instead of performing the usual stretching and lifting exercises,...

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