Video games as an art - Research Paper Example

Video games as an art Technology became more incursive to people's lives, when civilization shaped up towards modernity in the twentieth century. The evolution of technology with the oncoming of the developed Modernism, Revolution, and Capitalism created substantial modifications in the culture and institutions of human societies. Where technology used to be connected with machinery and manufacturing, technology in the twentieth century bit by bit became affiliated with computer technology. Technological exploitations agitated from macro to micro; human power riveted from forcible labor to intellectual improvement. Ineluctably, technology has permeated not only the scientific discipline sector, but other innovations as well, especially human society's culture, political relation, and economic system (Berger 23-26). Video games are configured or designed to furnish both entertainment and informative morals to humankind. Video games consist of action games, sports, puzzle, scheme, playacts, and pretences, one of the socialization features and an important technology facet. Video games can employ in raising a family, socially make a race, participate in fantasy, or denote refinements. As Software companies formulate more advanced games for educational potentials, thespians in education sector have started to implement computer game in classrooms particularly simulations (Berger 47). Video games are educational in the sense that they allow new entropy to scholars. This information is informative, it may be presented in form of graphics or texts, and it is typically not acquainted with the age group or skill ability for which the game is contrived to provide. The concept of committal to memory is very critical in whatsoever game. If players are in an emplacement to recollect new information, they can move on with the game. The child can explicate good memory hence retaining new information ascertained in class (Gee 55). The issue of playing video games has been discussed a lot in the recent future. Some people argue that the playing of video games is good and beneficial to the players while other totally disagree with this and do not support the video games. The playing of video games involves the interaction of an individual with a particular user interface and this leads to the generation of a feedback that is visual and is displayed on a video device. Although the issues and criticism of playing video games came up a in the 21st century, these games have been played since early 20th century. This paper aims at discussing the both the views of playing the video games and proving that playing the video games is beneficial to the individuals. Arguments For video games One of the major reasons why some people support the playing of video games is that they assist in the expansion of individuals’ intelligence. This is normally in the case of children whose brain is still growing. Also, some games such as Dance Revolution are advantageous to the kids as they enable them to exercise and have fun at the same time. The supporters of the video games also state that they help in the improvement of coordination and also serve to bring together many people which leads to the making of new friends (Gee 49). Another major reason why some people support the video games is that they are relaxing and fun to play and some games are considered to be educational as they are either based on situations which occur in individuals’ real life or are based on certain simulations. Lastly, the playing of video games is supported by some people as it ensures the growth of concentration power and makes the participant’s mind to become sporty (Berger 60). In addition, some realistic feigning gives learners a chance to experience the outcomes of their decisiveness and consider the solutions decently. Educational computer games have numerous advantages to the students in that learners acquire continuous and contiguous feedback. Learners are able to contain the entire sailing of the game, breaking down Byzantine tasks and this directs or chips in guidelines to learners through diverse steps and game-based tasks. This enables learner to come up with hypotheses and experimentation. Video games are educational in the sense that they provide new information to learners. This information is educational, presented in form of graphics or texts, and it is usually not familiar with the age group or skill ability for which the game is designed to provide. The concept of memorization is very vital in any game. If players are in a position to recall new information, they can move on with the game. The child can develop good memory thus retaining new information learned in class (Pratchett 80). The context and cognition part of the game is also educational in the sense that this part of the game makes the new information acquired to be put into use. Those involved in the game either loose or score more points by answering questions, solving problems and matching pairs. Games tackles equity issues through cooperative group interaction and play, different language and features gender options. This makes learners to be gender sensitive (Gee 92). Video games enhance motivation. Some people imagine that video games are products produced by specific or particular firms to generate money. This is not the case, because video are placed in categories or genres depending to the experience and information they want to present. It is true that the designers of video games makes but they take their time to bring the type of environment that surround us. For instance, in nations where there are military wars, the situation may be felt through playing video games in the action genre such as Desert Storm. This gives the player the feeling and emotions that one would get while in the field (Hall 33). Players become active participants in the game through a series of interactive tasks. They meet challenges on the way. For instance, a river that has been polluted and needs clean up. They have to look for solutions to the existing problems. Some realistic simulations give student a chance to experience the results of their decision and look at the solutions properly. Educational video games have many advantages to the students in that learners get continuous and immediate feedback , learners are able to control the entre navigation of the game, games also can break down intricate tasks and directs or give guidelines to learners through various steps and game-based tasks enables learner to come up with theories and experiment (Pratchett 76-79). Are video games an art? People enjoy watching games because they can control and play the game in the manner that pleases him or her. The viewer does not understand that video game designers create preset codes with different variety to select from unlike an art. When it comes to literature or movies, the audience is cannot move beyond the artisan’s ideas. We can watch the movie and in some cases prefer what the actor would have done but we cannot change the situation. Some critics claim, Video games by their nature needs player choices or decisions, which is the opposite of the strategy of serious film and literature, which requires authorial control (Robinson 61-63). Video game designers Video games are made to benefit the designers. This makes some individual to state that art is what is made by an artist, and must be intended to be art, but the question is what is an artist? People view art as something generated by artists but in real sense, art is what make its creator an artist. An individual start as a normal person and become an artist after he creates a piece of art, which means that art is what cause an individual to become an artist. However, the person who establishes the video games are designers not artists. Therefore, they do their work to achieve the firm’s goals and express their thoughts. Arguments Against (critics) The main argument brought forward by the people who are against the video games is that most of these games are expensive and they describe this as a waste of resources that could be used in better ways. The video games are also discouraged, as a lot of time is wasted playing the games instead of undertaking constructive work or spending the time with one’s family. Video games are also criticized as they do not lead to the improvement of physical health of the player, which is essential. This is because these games are played indoors and do not involve any sort of physical exercise which is important to ensure that one leads a healthy life (Robinson 88). Another argument against the video games is that they can lead to poor performance both in school and at workplace due to addictions, which makes some people play the games for long periods of time (Waltke, 126). This could result in loss of employment and expulsion from school due to the continued poor performance. Lastly, the continuous playing of the video games can lead to health problems such as the eyestrain. In conclusion, video games have revolutionized learning appendage therein through interactional gaming. Learners can formulate positive social world and are able to understand and appreciate how online environment are made to heighten community and society development. Finally, digital mediums contribute a lot of information about aesthetical, social, and interactive issues. Considering the level of technology in the twentieth century, Technology has become more incursive to people's lives, shaping up civilization and living standards of people towards modernity and way of life. it is imperative to note that video games have revolutionized learning process in that through interactive gaming, learners can develop positive social world and are able to understand and appreciate how online environment are made to enhance community development. Finally, digital mediums give a lot of information about aesthetic, social, and interactive issues. Although video games are useful in transmission of knowledge, some video have bad information that contain harmful information to learners. Personal Opinion and Conclusion My opinion is that video games are beneficial/good to the society. This is because the games not only improve the player’s brain but also help in relaxing and is a source of fun for people at all ages. I believe that will proper time management, one can be able to play video games and perform well in either school or work. Works Cited Berger, Author. Video Games: A Popular Culture Phenomenon, New Jersey, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 2002. Print. Gee, James. What Video Games Have to Teach Us about Learning and Literacy, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004. Print. Hall, Stefan. "Video Games as Collaborative Art." Phi Kappa Phi Forum 85.2 (2005) Pratchett, Rhianna. Video Games, Charlotte, NC:Baker & Taylor, 2009. Print. Waltke, Taya. Video Games and Students: What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Video Games for the Youth of Our Nation? New York, NY: Springer, 2004. Print. Robinson, William. The Aesthetics of Play: Creativity and Art in Videogame Performance, 2012. Read More