I can unequivocally say I love videogames. There's no feeling quite like starting up a system and immediately becoming immersed in a world you previously couldn't imagine. It doesn't matter if you're an elven tween sent on a quest by a legendary princess or just an unrelenting victim of nuclear fallout, these worlds become a part of your own reality. It's easy to lose yourself in a game, which begs the question: are video games really worth your time?
Sure, they're fun to play, but what are you getting out of it? What do you get from spending hours of beating up virtual bad guys and yelling through your headset at friends during endless campaigns? Why do we feel our wallets get lighter when new DLCs get released?
Games have become visually spectacular with impressive storytelling done by unmatched talents. They are far more involved nowadays than movies. Many of them don't stop at just providing art to enjoy, they also allow the player to become a part of the work. Living through each tragedy and triumphing over every foe. It's such a rewarding feeling to finish a game you have spent months to complete. This doesn't apply to just the new games. The nostalgia that comes from playing classic games is also priceless.
Seeing that tiny italian plumber in 8-bit transports many of us to our youth. Mario, Link and Sonic began as characters you could easily empathize with. Their games welcomed us into a world that had a singular goal for us in mind. These missions taught us to let go and really enjoy the gaming experience, but we grew to crave more as the years went on. Complicated story arcs, better graphics, and orchestral ambient music were demanded as the community was taught to expect more from each game.
As the games got better, the community grew stronger. As technology became more accessible, more people began to create content independent of businesses who forgot what it meant to make a good game. Players could now craft their own media rather than be peddled the same dribble. This also encouraged gaming companies to get back to their innovative roots. Video games have created jobs, built communities, inspired youth and the young at heart while providing an entertaining experience unlike any other. The socially inept gamer isn't the standard anymore. Video games have become so commonplace, more people are getting into the media which ultimately diversifies the community, challenging creators to step outside of themselves and make content people care about.
Games are now diving into genres they previously couldn't successfully model. They permeate so many facets of society; some games gain global recognition overnight. Whether you like them or not, you can't say they aren't relevant. They provide many people with a fun and personal experience they can have in their own homes. If you need a break from reality, you can't really go wrong with a good game.
So, are video games really a waste of time? If you consider spending time with friends, relieving stress, delving into a creative outlet or getting involved in an industry worth almost 100 billion dollars a waste, maybe. If not and you're into improving "cognitive skills such as spatial navigation, reasoning, memory and perception" and your overall mood, then you may want to try your hand at a new game. Speaking from experience, they are worth the investment.
