Digitisation of Media

DMM401

Critical Essay

Subject: Recent research suggests 'embodied gaming 'can be used to improve spatial skills that are essential for everyday activities such as reading a map, driving a car, assembling a barbeque or learning advanced math. Discuss critically with relevant examples.

_____________

Student Name: Georgios Michalopoulos

University ID: K0434154

Introduction

Computer games and game addiction is often the subject of criticism, focusing largely on the influence of objectionable content and prolonged game play on minors. In the 21st century Gaming is a major part of everyday life, contributing to general human evolution.

Although they can be useful in many ways, they can also cause serious problems. Computer games have long been a source of controversy, particularly the violence that has become commonly associated with video gaming in general. Video game addiction is another cultural aspect of gaming to draw criticism, as it can have a negative influence on health, on social relations and, in the most extreme cases, has led to death as a result of prolonged gameplay. The problem of addiction and its health risks seems to have grown with the rise of Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games.

This essay will focus on the positive aspects of Gaming (which benefits people) and shed some light into the negative side (an intelligent man is able to think for him self and choose the right game selection).

Sociability, perception and memory can be improved by playing games and of course many more skills can be acquired. They bring more opportunities to people, and interact with new concepts, images, characters, moralities techniques that they would not have been exposed to before. Sometimes even they offer smart and accurate solutions to problems that sometimes humans may find difficult.

By playing video games any person can experience virtual situations and may learn new things, and new skills can then be utilized to perform well in the game. Of course, each game is different and will require different type of skills and a different way of thinking therefore playing a variety of games will be useful for later on and the experience that are gained could potentially be used in real life situations. The latest games are very realistic, they are up to date with all the information, graphics, gaming content and knowledge. This will appear to be more realistic to the player and create an illusion of total immersion into the game world.

Generally games with the correct approach can improve reflex, perception, memory, vision and other techniques, always depending on the game. The latest trend in gaming is online gaming. This enhances group work and unity in order to succeed of a mission assignment, targeting towards a common goal and indirect for personal satisfaction.

Game preference by genre for game preference and game types

Not everyone prefers the same type of games. Genre is also responsible for the game selection. The test showed that male players are keener on simulation and action games because these games use physical force, however females are keener on logic and thinking games because their natural strengths tend to be greater in these genres.

Claudia Quaiser-Pohl, Christian Geiser and Wolfgang Lehmann tested: "

This study examined how computer-game preference relates to mental-rotation test (MRT) performance and to gender differences. Subjects were 861 German secondary-school children (mean age = 14.67; range 10-20 years). Latent class analysis with the data of a computer-game preference scale revealed three types of players: ''non-players'', ''action-and-simulation game players'' and ''logic-and-skill-training game players''. Large gender differences were found with respect to class assignment. More females than males were found in the ''logic-and-skill-training game player'' class (82.9%) and in the class of ''non-players'' (81.9%). Males in contrast were overrepresented (81.7%) in the class of ''action-and-simulation game players''.

So depending on the video games each specific genre the player prefers, we have different types of skill sets the players are exposed to. For example action games are usually quite violent because their main feature is shooting and beating - giving the subcategories of 'shoot 'em up' and 'beat 'em up'. Adventure games are about an investigation and exploration in order to solve a mystery and complete a final goal. They usually involve human like characters that interact with the player. Some of them also use other style to view the game, that the gamer takes the first person's place.
Join now!


Casual games are the games that include puzzle solving and word processing. They can be real table games but also can be transferred on a digital form and played on the pc. Driving games are mostly the games that involve a handling of a vehicle. Simulation called the games that involve a representation of a model or situation. Everyone can think that it is a primitive form of an emulation of a real thing. Strategy games are mostly games that involve strategic moves in order to accomplish a mission. Role playing games are almost the same with strategy ...

This is a preview of the whole essay