Spring Break
Games for health?
Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: Viewpoint
Staff Editorial
OSU Daily Barometer
(Oregon State U.)
(U-WIRE) CORVALLIS, Ore. - Gaming. A word all too familiar for many. To some, it is a way of life, to others, a casual time to relax. Whatever criteria one falls under, one thing is for sure, video games are addicting.
In recent years the online roll-playing game, or ORPG, has become increasingly popular. Games such as World of Warcraft immerse the player in a world of fantasy, in some cases leading the player to ill health.
As gaming counselor Liz Woolley noted in a BBC News story, "They leave their real lives and join others in a fantasy land, and they can't leave. They no longer bathe, clean house, interact with family and friends, or go outside."
The implications of Woolley's statements have seemingly gone unnoticed, however, until recently, reports have come from people actually dying while playing video games.
In August 2005 a 28-year-old South Korean man died after playing the game StarCraft for 50 straight hours with nominal breaks to the restroom or to get a few hours of sleep, a BBC story said.
In late 2004 a Chinese news agency reported that a 13-year-old jumped off a 24 story building, either disillusioned or trying to imitate a move in the ORPG, World of Warcraft. The parents have since filed a lawsuit. Despite many cited, and potentially dangerous health issues, millions still log on hour after hour to play in these types of fantasy lands with a complete disconnect with the outside world.
As a new generation of gaming platforms have made their way to the shelves this past holiday season, some companies are addressing addiction problems inherited from playing games.
Nintendo's Wii, for example, will randomly display a message which suggests the player go outside after playing for a prolonged period. This seems to prove that corporations are either looking out for their investments, or that gaming is back on the upswing of the "cutting edge."
Also new this year in gaming is Nintendo's use of the controller. The "nunchuk" matched with its standard controller allows users to physically be engaged with the game they are playing. In its boxing game, for instance, players actually swing, punch and jab at the screen in hopes of knocking the opponent out.
Whether or not Nintendo's efforts of revolutionizing the way games are played will be adopted by other systems is unclear, but sponsoring an idea of activity while playing a game should not go without praise.
We can only wonder what the next generation of video gaming systems will bring us, but we are hoping for a message of guilt.
tells you just how pathetic you look eating Cheetos for the last five hours.
OSU Daily Barometer
(Oregon State U.)
(U-WIRE) CORVALLIS, Ore. - Gaming. A word all too familiar for many. To some, it is a way of life, to others, a casual time to relax. Whatever criteria one falls under, one thing is for sure, video games are addicting.
In recent years the online roll-playing game, or ORPG, has become increasingly popular. Games such as World of Warcraft immerse the player in a world of fantasy, in some cases leading the player to ill health.
As gaming counselor Liz Woolley noted in a BBC News story, "They leave their real lives and join others in a fantasy land, and they can't leave. They no longer bathe, clean house, interact with family and friends, or go outside."
The implications of Woolley's statements have seemingly gone unnoticed, however, until recently, reports have come from people actually dying while playing video games.
In August 2005 a 28-year-old South Korean man died after playing the game StarCraft for 50 straight hours with nominal breaks to the restroom or to get a few hours of sleep, a BBC story said.
In late 2004 a Chinese news agency reported that a 13-year-old jumped off a 24 story building, either disillusioned or trying to imitate a move in the ORPG, World of Warcraft. The parents have since filed a lawsuit. Despite many cited, and potentially dangerous health issues, millions still log on hour after hour to play in these types of fantasy lands with a complete disconnect with the outside world.
As a new generation of gaming platforms have made their way to the shelves this past holiday season, some companies are addressing addiction problems inherited from playing games.
Nintendo's Wii, for example, will randomly display a message which suggests the player go outside after playing for a prolonged period. This seems to prove that corporations are either looking out for their investments, or that gaming is back on the upswing of the "cutting edge."
Also new this year in gaming is Nintendo's use of the controller. The "nunchuk" matched with its standard controller allows users to physically be engaged with the game they are playing. In its boxing game, for instance, players actually swing, punch and jab at the screen in hopes of knocking the opponent out.
Whether or not Nintendo's efforts of revolutionizing the way games are played will be adopted by other systems is unclear, but sponsoring an idea of activity while playing a game should not go without praise.
We can only wonder what the next generation of video gaming systems will bring us, but we are hoping for a message of guilt.
tells you just how pathetic you look eating Cheetos for the last five hours.
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