Journal Entry #3: When War meets Video Games

In the 21st century, we know for a fact that war video games are very popular among teen gamers. However, has anyone ever thought of the question “why?” Why does war games specifically appear so attractive and addictive to gamers? Why war and not something else like love? I personally can think of several explanations.

For one, the content of violence is involved. In the real world, any kind of violence act is restricted by the law. If we break them, we get punished. However, in war games, the objective is to kill the opponent. No consequences realistically are involved.

As well, war games provide satisfaction of the mind to thinkers. Those who like to solve problems may become addicted to them. This is because not only can one be given a situation to think up a plan for, they may also see their strategies and solutions in real action of the game. There is an actual result for every move they decide to make in these video games.

People who have low self-esteem or are facing severe problems in life may also be attracted to war games. In playing a war video game, one’s existence may be largely acknowledged if they are really good players. They are judged, but only for their skills and strategy, and not anything else like appearance or race. In addition, if a player dies, they can just restart and play all over again. It’s never-ending. Choices can be re-made and it’s never too late. On the other hand, in the real world, what’s done is done. There is no turning back. We only have one life and there is no second chance. In playing video games, it is a way of a temporary escape from the real world of pressure and work.

Still, not all war video games are worth playing. It appears that only war games that are realistic are considered worth playing by gamers. Why is that? That is because the most fun part of war video games is seeing your strategies and plans come into life. Again, referring to the first reason of why people like to play war video games: violence can be carried out without any punishment of the law. If these actions don’t even appear realistic then that really is a major turn off for gamers.

In the end, I feel war games aren’t bad, yet if we play too much of them, it’s not good either. They are truly helpful to us in temporary escapes from the real world, but if we don’t realize that it is really just a game, then we may end up sucked into its world and never fully come out of it again. Too little wouldn’t be satisfying and too much would separate us from reality. Thus, just enough to release pressure and have the fun we need to save us from our busy lives is ideal.