There are a number of defenses for video games, but it is probably not an exaggeration to say that there are far more criticisms. Video game playing is something that parents in North America unanimously monitor their children for to make sure they are not doing it in excess. Some parents forbid their children from playing video games entirely. Video games have been the cause of a great many break ups between significant others and even spouses. This would not be the case if there were not a few negative attributes to video games.

It is confirmed that video games can be a legitimate addiction. For whatever reason, video games create high levels of dopamine in some people’s brains which causes them to become addicted. Dopamine is the chemical the brain creates when the person is experiencing pleasure. This addiction may not put the person or those they are close to in immediate danger, but it does have very serious consequences over time. Just like with every other addiction, the person’s physical health, personal relationships and reputation among peers and coworkers decreases. The person becomes irritable and moody when they are unable to play video games and blocks out the entire world while they are gaming. Needless to say, this behavior is not sustainable and requires treatment if it cannot be brought under control.

Even if a person only plays a moderate amount of video games and is not addicted, the argument can still be made that video games are not the best use of time. Many point out that the benefits video games do have can be gained through other activities that do not have the negative side effects that video games have. For example, video games increase hand eye coordination but deteriorate muscle mass and weakens the circulatory system. Playing sports, on the other hand, increases hand eye coordination and muscle mass. Video games are quite terrible for the body as they require a sedentary stance in order to play them.

Chances are, you know someone or you are someone who is fanatical about video games. This type of person has an enormous collection of video games and is constantly upgrading their gaming consoles. Many of their conversations gravitate back to video games and a much bigger portion of their time goes to gaming than the average person. Those who are not into video games are essentially just confused by this behavior.

To an avid gamer, video games are life. They stay abreast of what new games are being released and purchase their favorites and the ones they deem a high quality. When they take it home to try it out, their life will be consumed by it until they complete the game. This may take days, weeks or even months. Even once all the levels, missions or narratives are complete, there are often extra features to the game that allow the gamer to continue exploring the video game world or map. This can keep a gamer busy for an unprecedented amount of time.

Sometimes gaming is compulsive for avid game players. It can be very difficult for a gamer to put their controller down to participate in every day tasks, obligations and conversations. Gaming has the potential to split couples apart when one is a gamer and the other is not because the non-gamer takes great offense at the gamer’s priorities. Typically, people immerse themselves in video games as a way to relax and shut their brains off. Many gamers state that video games have a calming effect on them and ease their stress. Whether video games are harmful or beneficial to people is a controversial matter. Some claim that they are bad for a person’s physical and mental health while others point to the good they do for a number of people. Regardless, video games are a very lucrative industry that does not look to decline any time soon.

gaming to relax and cope