Myths About Video Games Explained

Video games are now more popular than ever. With rich graphics and themes that can stretch the imagination to almost an eternity, video games are flying off the shelves and into the consoles of millions of consumers worldwide. However, there are a few things about video games that we bet you didn't know; or are probably wrong about.

Video games are what have stirred up youth violence

This statement can't be further than the truth. Researchers have found that juvenile violent crime in the United States is actually at an all-time low, in a federal crime statistics report documenting the last 30 years. The study also shows that people who are violent consume fewer media than the average person in the general population. There are, of course, young offenders but an overwhelming majority of kids who do play video games (violent or not) do not commit antisocial acts. In fact, the strongest risk factors that trigger violence in the youth can be pointed out to quality of home life and mental stability; not media exposure as everybody would like to believe.

Children are the primary market for video games

Again, this is false. Although American children do play video games, the center of the gaming market has actually shifted to an older generation of gamers who have been playing since they were children and are still enjoying video games as adults. In fact, most gamers who use consoles or PCs as their media for gaming are all above the age of 18. This should explain why a lot of games out there do have scenes of violence and themes that are more geared towards an adult audience. Strangely enough, a majority of purchases are not made by children but by adults or parents.

Not many girls play video games

Although this held true for the last 2 decades, the number of female gamers is increasing and women now slightly outnumber the male gaming market. This is especially true when referring to web-based games. Games like The Sims have attracted more women into gaming, even those who had no interest in gaming before. Even gaming characters are actually changing with the times. Female characters are now represented as powerful and independent.

Video games isolate people from real life

Contrary to what most people think, video gaming is actually a very social activity. In this day and age where online games are becoming increasingly popular, players can actually interact with each other through their Internet games. Even single-player games are social with one person playing and another person teaching that person how to play or providing tips. The current trend right now is the development of online communities via gaming content. Think about it this way: two or more people may be killing each other off on a particular game; but the fact is that they are also cementing their relationships as friends via cooperation and even comradeship.

You can't make money off of gaming

While this may be true for people who only play games as a form of recreation, there are some small groups who actually join tournaments where large amounts of money is involved. Gaming is becoming much like sports with players even endorsing products during public events and conventions. Gaming has become quite the phenomenon much like comic-collecting has.