Video games an obsession for students

    Video games generate hours of entertainment, helping people zone into a fantasy world created by the gaming industry. Students at GCSU spend hours on computers or staring into the television everyday. However, there may be more social interaction connected to video games than one might think.
    Since the introduction of the Sega Dreamcast, video games have been best enjoyed over the internet. The trend of spending long hours playing these games piggy backed onto the gaming revolution. Presently, the Xbox 360 and the PC dominate the market with games such as “Halo” and “World of Warcraft.” In this setup people become personal with the façade of a warrior. Brendan Kelly, a freshman computer science major, lists “Counter-Strike” as one of his favorites to play online.
    “There’s nothing that you can’t do (playing online),” said Kelly. “You can type and talk to other people, you are only hindered by what you can’t see.”
    A study done by Stanford University in 2006, found that computer habits could be addicting. Although there is no affirmative diagnosis, computer compulsion is taking a big chunk of time out of students’ days. Kelly feels that it is time well spent.
    “I play because it’s something that I enjoy and that I’m good at,” said Kelly. “Most of the games I play are with other people, and I like the interaction.”
    Kelly was obviously not alone. A trail of people set-up camp in front of the Game Stop Monday because at midnight “Halo 3” hit the shelves for purchase. A crowd had formed by eight o’clock.                 Nearly 200 video game enthusiasts eagerly waited past the GNC (General Nutrition Center) to pick up their own copy of the popular video game
during its debut. Some stretched out in lawn chairs while others idly stood answering trivia questions for prizes. Bilal Mukati, a senior accounting major, was in line for over three hours waiting for the unveiling.
    “I waited four hours at Gwinnett Place Mall for ‘Halo 2,’” said Mukati. “It wouldn’t be the same getting it any later. Everyone’s getting all jacked up. (“Halo 3”) is the most anticipated game since video games were created.”
    Although Mukati usually only plays two hours a day, he plans to make an exception for the following weekend.
    “Me and three of my friends will probably finish the game either Saturday or Sunday,” said Mukati. “There is no telling how many hours that could take.”
    Regardless of their enjoyment, both Mukati and Kelly make an extra effort to ensure that video games do not run their lives.
    “I make sure that I finish whatever school work I have due before I play,” said Kelly. “If someone tells me of something going on, I just put the controller down. I don’t let the game control my life.”
    Kelly can not predetermine when video games will depart from his life, but he assumes sometime after he gets a job that requires more of his time. Matt Nicks, a senior marketing major, thinks that the end of his video game career is a little further off.
“It’s never going to end,” said Nicks, a “Tiger Woods” enthusiast. “Not until I lose the use of my hands.” 

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 28 2007. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry