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The idea that video games kill creativity is purely biased and lacks sufficient research. Video games in fact do not cause any slowdown of brain cells in their own right, or even at all. It is the way we present them that causes the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine. These transmitters are natural chemicals produced by the brain when we do things we enjoy. In fact, dopamine (based on a quick wikipedia search) improves the cognitive abilities of an individual and increases the amount of information they can process at one time.

Video games promote and produce some of the most creative and innovative minds in the IT industry. A large number of the gaming community are creative in their own right, and go as far as to mod, or improve on a game without receiving any form of payment. Whole franchises of games spawned off each other, and large fan communities exist that write, draw, animate and expand the contents of games.

Lately the games themselves have focused on creativity of their gamers, games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band promote social interaction, and actually teach children the very simple basics of playing the instruments. Spore, when released, will be a game that teaches and simulates evolution, with cutting edge programming techniques, Spore will be completely made of user created content upon release, and will continue to expand automatically far after release. The Valve Platform is also completely modifiable when you purchase any of their games. Second Life, you can actually create anything within the confines of your technical prowess, and then make real money off of it.

About the only drawback to playing video games, is that they are fun! Kids do anything thats fun, since they don't have any other reason to do anything.

Once again I state that the original claim on this topic is unfounded, biased, and completely inaccurate. With sufficient research, video game addiction is easily proven false. Anyone exhibiting the qualities of this supposed addiction to video games has a far more complex condition known as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Learn more about this author, Swythe Quirksettle.
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