I’ve been waiting about seven weeks to say this ... we’re halfway through the semester. It’s a great feeling, right? Think of what is coming for us: spring break is right around the corner, only seven more weeks of classes, fest season is coming soon! These things aside, I can’t help but hate what else this time means — lots and lots of midterms.
I had several this week. While they’re over now, they are still haunting me a little bit (rest in peace, sanity). I’m a firm believer in the reward system for studying — study one or two hours, take a break and do something else.
It’s at times like this that I realize how much I really love video games. They are my prime way to relax after being busy with school. Yeah, they can be a little distracting when you are having trouble focusing, but let’s just focus on the great things they can do for you.
Gamers have always had a stigma around them of being loners. Kids are urged to get out of the house and spend time with their friends, instead of sitting and staring at their computer screens. While I’m not advocating that kids should spend all their time indoors, games are becoming more of a social event. Whether it’s online or with friends in real life, you are communicating with others and doing something fun.
A survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 76 percent of teen game players — on a console, computer or mobile device — have played with others at some point, and 65 percent of these teens play with another person in the room.
Considering the number of consoles that have sold — I’m talking millions and millions — this number of players is huge. The age of sitting alone in your room playing games is over. More times than not you will be interacting with someone, somewhere.
On a different note, a study conducted by the American Pain Society showed that video games are proven to be a helpful pain reliever for children and adults. The study showed that patients that are going through chemotherapy or burn wound care had their pain ratings go down 30 to 50 percent after playing. Other studies even show that video games can be a useful therapy technique for patients with mental illnesses.
I’m not sure how the two correlate exactly, but I’m willing to bet it has something to do with stress relief. Even with things that seem to be just trivial problems compared to medical issues, games help immensely. They give you an outlet to put all your stress into, and relieve it in a non-violent way.
Last but not least, video games provide players with pure joy. The Association for College Admission Counseling recently held its annual conference this fall. The keynote speaker was Jane McGonigal, a video game designer (girl power!). She presented 10 key emotions that gamers gain from playing — joy, belief, love, surprise, pride, curiosity, excitement, awe and wonder, contentment and creativity.
Read that list again. I know that there are few things I can name in the world that make me feel that way besides video games (shout out to Beyoncé’s music). I can only imagine what other people could get from them.
I don’t want to get all corny about my love of games, so I’m going to end on this note: they get you through the rough times, make you feel good and provide you with people to spend time with. They can be your best friends that live inside a box.
Sophie Kruse is a freshman studying journalism and a columnist for The Post. What do video games do for you? Email Sophie at sk139011@ohiou.edu.
