by Ms. Marie

Created on: January 19, 2010

Playing games is a part of human nature because they bring pleasure, offer a challenge, and have always been a form of entertainment for mankind. Ancient Romans played Tabula which was very much like the board game Backgammon. Another variation of Backgammon was Acey-Duecy which was played in the armed forces. A game of Marbles was enjoyed by many. The basic concepts of games is the same it is only the way we play games that has evolved. Why adults like video games as much as children do is no mystery.

Video games, like any other type of games, are entertaining. Adults enjoy a challenge and competition just as much, and maybe even more than children do. The form of game play may have changed over the years, but the idea is still the same; a way to experience pleasure. Video games maximize the amount of pleasure we experience because they stimulate all of our senses while exercising the mind.

When playing video games our perception of time is disrupted, and we forget about the day to day stresses because we become absorbed with the task at hand. This deep and intense involvement actually frees us from daily worries, and allows us to temporarily forget any unpleasant feelings.

It takes skill to play video games because we must learn to control the visual environment by pressing buttons or combinations of buttons on a controller or keyboard. This improves our eye hand coordination, exercises the memory, and forces the mind to learn to make decisions in a matter of split seconds.

Some games are designed to offer competition, such a golf, card games, board games, and many other games because they require players to develop skills to outwit their opponents. Games of chance, such as video slot machines which are enjoyed by many seniors, are exciting because players try to foresee the outcome.

Adult video game players may play on a computer or prefer a gaming console either way they find it extremely enjoyable, and even relaxing.  Video role-playing games allows players to make-believe and feel as if they are seeing the game through their characters eyes. Video sports games like football, soccer, and basketball require strategic thinking, and fast responses. Playing video games are a great way to wind down after a long day of working. Game play is healthy for the young and the old.

If you have never played a video game you might think it is childish, or even irresponsible for an adult to like video games because of negative feedback that you may see or hear in the news. However, much of the biased opinions are based on children playing games that are not age appropriate.

These images and reports can lead you to wonder why adults like video games as much as children do. On the other hand if you have played video games you can understand why they are so popular, and so much fun. Video games are just new ways of playing games.

Technology has simply taken the gaming experience, and made it interactive. Making it a much more pleasurable experience. Players can enjoy games with friends and family or even play against the computer's artificial intelligence. Games are and always have been designed for the young and old alike.

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