mmmm....gaming goodness

No one can deny it. Gaming is more mainstream than ever, and I\'m not predicting a stop to the trend that\'s happening right now. Games are getting as realistic as most people ever dreamed them to be, and still we lie in question as to how far the next generation will go. The mainstream market has changed a lot though. No longer is it predominantly hardcore gamers, but nowadays many more casual gamers are joining the ranks, and with the inclusion of DVD playback in these new systems (though the DVD version of GCN by matsu****a probably won\'t make t outside japan), more and more people are jumping aboard, but not for the games. People who don\'t participate in gaming, throw everything they can at it. First it causes violence. Second it\'s childish, nerdish. Anything they can. But every gamer knows there is something special about it.

So this is a discussion about that. What makes gaming so good for you, is it the escapism?? Doing things you\'d just never do?? Never experience??

What makes you want to pick up that CD (or cartridge ), put it in your console, and hammer away for a couple of hours??

Another thing, how many of you find yourself addicted to gaming??? Do you think gaming is a harmful addiction?? And do you think it\'s the cause for any of society\'s problems, such as violence??

any opinions on ANY of the above, let\'s make this a big discussion, what ever you want to say, say it, but please don\'t turn this into a flame war anybody. Thankyou

Yes i agree.Gaming is good for the mind because it makes you escape from the stressful real life world. I don\'t know how people can managed life without playing games ..games such as Zelda,Blood Omen,Soul Reaver, will send you far away through time and space.

As for violence..there are many possible factors people tend not to bring up.Videogames seem to be the best scapegoat.

Don\'t tell me peple like Saddam plays Quake3 too much and decided to test his skill on the real thing.It is lame to put the blame on videogames.Most of the best games does not come from violent videogames.Violence is a social disease started from the beginning of mankind..war.

I play games after a long hard day.  I\'m taking 12 hours of college courses and going to work 30 hours a week.  I don\'t like to go out with my friends after one of my full days because I\'m exhausted.  So I may play a game or watch a movie.  

Am I addicted?  No, I haven\'t played any of my systems in the past 2 weeks because there isn\'t anything that interest me.
Now, when SKies of Arcadia and Grandia 2 came out, I found myself setting aside hours a day just to play them.  I get addicted to games, but not gaming in general.  

As for the huge upswing in gaming interest by the public, I see it all the time.  Why, just the other day I was at work and a 30 year old man was talking to his son about how great the X-Box is going to be and how he can\'t wait to get one.  It seems gaming is becoming somewhat sophisticated and more accepted. And with the internet and gaming fixing to fully merge, I see it getting even better and more appealing.

good thing nintendo didnt rule the video gaming world, or anyone over 14 wouldnt understand

LOL!

I was going to write that but was afraid it might start a little flaming.

I would have lowered the age to 7;)j/k

I\'m ADDICTED well i think i am  i want my MGS2 :d

I am a gaming addict.
When i bought final fantasy IX, i went straight home and started playing the game. 2 days after having bought the game i was already on the second cd and with over 20 hours of gameplay. This was during the half-term so it meant me having to severe all connection with the outside world.
The fact is when i play a game which makes me feel like i am part of it, i have to get it finished. The only thing that can pull me away from a decent game is thurst or me falling asleep.