Jonathan Reeder

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Jonathan Reeder Professor Kate Kimball English 2010 17 October 16, 2012

Many people in the world have replaced reading an enjoyable novel with a wireless controller that control some sort of character in a video game. The video game world has become a multi-billion dollar industry. The average new video game cost about $59.99. Just about every week there is a new game out. Those that play a lot are probably buying multiple games a month. Video games can affect someone’s identity in many different ways. It can keep them away from others and make them socially unacceptable. It might not do anything to them and just be a form of entertainment. It could cause many males or females from ever finding that special someone. Another question you could ask is, what would our society do without video games? Would authors of novels make more money? Would there be less violence in the world? Let’s dive in and see what some of the answers to these questions are.

When I was about six or seven years old my family got our first video game console. It is called the “Super Nintendo” This was very popular at the time. My brother and sisters just loved playing it every day. I remember fighting over it to see who gets to play. I remember not doing my homework because I was too busy playing the video games that we had. As time went on, more video game consuls came out such as: Nintendo 64, Sega Geneses, Playstation, Game Cube, Playstation 2, Xbox, Wii,

Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and some of the hand held video game consuls were: Gameboy, Gameboy

Color, Gameboy Advanced, PSP, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and many more. As you can see there are many different ways to enjoy video games. They really only come from about three different manufactures; Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. In 1988 Sony joined forces with Nintendo to create the first CD-ROM run game. It was first meant for Nintendos “Super Nintendo” but because of business reasons they parted ways. In 1991 Sony did use what they called the “super disc” aka just a simple CD-

ROM and released the “Sony Playstion.” (Bellis) In 1970 a man by the name of Gunpei Yokoi invented Reeder 2 nintendos first gaming consul that was just a simple robotic arm with a claw on the end of it. (Bellis)

The Xbox was invented by microsoft. Throughout time all of these companies have grown quite largely and are all multibillion dollar companies.

I have enjoyed playing video games for a very long time. Luckily for me it has not ruled my life like it has ruled many lives. Some people get so involved in video games that they drop out of school or just do very poorly in school. Many guys spend all of their money on new video games rather than on a date or a new car. I have a couple of friends who just let video games take over their lives. Many people argue that video games just corrupt someone and turn them more violent and very anti social.

In some cases it is perfectly fine to argue how bad video games are because they have ruined people’s lives and even marriages. But in cases like mine for example, yeah I love to play video games when it is appropriate. I have a wonderful life, very happy marriage. It all just reflects on how you balance everything that you have going on in your life.

I have conducted a few interviews with some family and friends to see what their opinions are on Video games to show different points of view toward them. Some are guys my age, girls my age, and

I also have people who are from many different age groups.

Allison Reeder Do you like to play video games? Yes, only if the game is really fun and not too violent. If yes, how much do you play a week/year? For a few hours a year. What system is your favorite? The computer. Do you think that it is a waste of time? Yes. What is your opinion toward them? You can play them if you have absolutely nothing else to do. Joanna Ahleen Do you like to play video games? Yes I like to play. If yes, how much do you play a week/year? Maybe an average of an hour a week. What system is your favorite? The computer or the Nintendo Wii. Do you think that it is a waste of time? It is a waste of time if you play too much instead of doing responsibilities needed. Reeder 3

What is your overall opinion toward them? I think they are okay to play if played in moderations. Richard Reeder Do you like to play video games? I do like to play video games occasionally. If yes, how much do you play a week/year? I play a couple of times a week for a few minutes. What system is your favorite? I like the Wii. Do you think that it is a waste of time? They can be a waste of time if played too much. They are entertainment like watching tv. What is your overall opinion toward them? Like everything, great fun if you play them wisely. Michael Cady Do you like to play video games? Yes I like playing games. If yes, how much do you play a week/year? 3 to 6 hours a week depending on work and school load What system is your favorite? Xbox 360 Do you think that it is a waste of time? No I don’t think they are a waste of time unless you have other responsibilities to attended to. What is your overall opinion toward them? I think they can be either very good or very dangerous. I generally have a positive attitude toward them. Daniel Ahleen Do you like to play video games? Yes. If yes, how much do you play a week/year? 3 times a month. What system is your favorite? Wii. Do you think that it is a waste of time? No. What is your overall opinion toward them? They are awesome. Nicholas Reeder Do you like to play video games? Yes, I like to play. If yes, how much do you play a week/year? Not very often. What system is your favorite? Xbox or the classic Super Nintendo Do you think that it is a waste of time? It can be a waste of time depending on how often/long and if you are shirking other responsibilities to play. What is your overall opinion toward them? I like them in moderation, they are a good release from the real world. Tyler Huefner Do you like to play video games? Yes Reeder 4

If yes, how much do you play a week/year? in a year a full 24 hours What system is your favorite? PS3 Do you think that it is a waste of time? Can be What is your overall opinion toward them? They are fun for entertainment purpose Sarah Chapman Do you like to play video games? I love video games If yes, how much do you play a week/year? Two hours a week because my hogs What system is your favorite? Game Cube Do you think that it is a waste of time? If you only play games yes, but if you are bored then no. What is your overall opinion toward them? I love them. After doing this research with my friends and family I found that video games are fun and not harmful if used during appropriate times. In many cases games like “Call of Duty”, “Battlefield”, and other war games have caused many young people enlist in the military to serve our country. I think that video games are good to get out of the real world for a minute. For some people books or tv are good stress relievers, and for many video games are. Reeder 5

Work Cited

Mary Bellis. Ask.com. http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bl_playstation.htm

Friends and Family members from personal interviews.