by Steven Washington

Created on: May 30, 2007

As a child of the 80's, I could have never predicted that the machines generating those mesmerizing pixels and dynamic sounds at my local arcade would transform into a technology by which my adult self would still be enchanted. Is this a part of my childhood of which I need to let go, or have these devices evolved to a point where they actually have a place in the lives of the members of the "over thirty" crowd?

Those lucky enough to be alive when the video gaming industry was in its infancy may recall how primitive the visual elements were. The graphics were primitive only in retrospect, since the technology available at the time was working at the top of its capacity in order to generate the blocky images on screen. When viewing the current video games from within this context, one cannot help but appreciate how creating video game graphics has become an art form. It would seem that the older gamers would have a richer perspective of how beautiful these games have become, based on a frame of reference that is much closer to the roots of the technology.

To play a video game is not a passive activity. Hand-eye coordination is essential. Understanding and quickly processing spatial information is key. Many games include problem-solving mini-games, while other games consist solely of puzzles for the player to solve. Playing a video game can be fun, but it is also fundamentally entangled with cerebral function. Ryuta Kawashima, a neuroscientist, helped develop a video game aimed at the 45+ age demographic; the game is purportedly helpful in delaying the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

In addition, the advent of the home gaming system (and the evolution of said technology) gives excellent opportunities for family bonding and communication with your children. If you're a parent, you can use games to show your kids how to win (and lose) gracefully, help them with problem solving skills, and (for those concerned with violence in games) explain to them which "game behaviors" would be inappropriate to emulate in real life.

Not only has the technology matured, but the structure and subject matter surrounding games have matured as well. Knowing that a significant number of its patrons are adults, the video game industry continues to research what types of game and story elements appeal to older players. There is a plethora of games dealing with adult themes such as murder, sex, gambling, and drug use-just to name a few. The fact that "Mature"-rated games exist is a testament to the number of adult gamers that can be found.

If video games were ever just for children, then they have grown into something more. In my youth I fell in love with the digital magic of video games. As an adult I am not only still under their spell, but anxious to see how the next level of video game technology will change our lives

Learn more about this author, Steven Washington.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.