Video Games and The Future

My classmate Jordan writes:

Even if we try we cannot stop video games. As technology advances so will video games. I think as we advance into technology there might be a virtual realty. People are going to find better ways to make video games so realistic that you don't think that you are playing.

I also believe that video games will continue to become better and better. Game designers will enhance the quality of the games' graphics and the realistic feel of the games. This is what has me looking forward to the future of gaming, and somewhat fearing it. If someone was to look at the present state of the gaming world, they could see that the size of the gamer population has drastically increased since the 80s and 90s. The visual graphics and game play of some top-notch games are outstanding and often incorporate real life scenarios, such as playing the role of a soldier in Baghdad on a mission to rescue an imprisoned colonel. These games to appeal to a wide audience because people get to be a character with objectives that they would not be able to experience in the real world. If the graphics of these games and the way we play them (i.e the Wii is a simulator because it incorporates real-life motions to play) only continue to get better, some people might not even feel that they are playing a game.

Video game addiction has already become a problem in our current society. As games become better, people just keep finding them more difficult to take a break. I use to be quite the avid gamer. I was possibly even addicted to video games a few years ago. I would play for hours with friends and/or family. But now, with more homework to complete to maintain good grades, and just hanging out and skateboarding with friends to relieve myself of the stress of school, I find myself playing a lot less than the amount of what I use to play. Now, if the gaming audience and continues to increase, gaming addiction is becoming more common, and video games are getting better graphics with realistic game play, I am staring to fear the future of video games. Realistic graphics incorporated with new gaming technology, possibly simulator suits, will draw in a big audience that possibly will become easily addicted (especially the children). Now if someone were to factor in the increase in violent games (i.e war games). The virtual suites might be the worst idea in video game history. I am pretty sure that nobody wants to experience killing someone as if "you don't think you are playing."