Helping Parents Understand Video Games

Video games have evolved exponentially since the advent of the first interactive games in 1947 with the development of the Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device (CRTAD).

Baby boomers may remember playing “Tank”, “Pong” and “Space Invaders” in the seventies at arcades where the pin-ball machine was still king. Those simple games are baby steps compared to today’s interactive and role-playing games played by all ages.

The video game allows the player to experience interactive entertainment, set and achieve goals, compete, and challenge himself and others from the comfort of his/her own home. Video games are a reliable form of entertainment, not subject to the whims of weather, traffic or crowds.

But, in some cases, individuals can become emotionally and some say even physically addicted to the games. Although this is still being debated among mental health care professionals, more and more parents are conce
ed by their kids’ apparent need for the games. Gaming addiction can be difficult to diagnose and treat. But like any mental health issue, a good understanding of cause and effect will help the parent and mental health care provider help the addicted player.

The Recipe

Developers of video games gear their products to the whims and wishes of the gamers. In the same way that a fast-food restaurant chain might change a recipe for their flagship food product to appeal to its customers, video game developers change the “recipe” of their products to meet the demand of the consumer.

Early video games were programmed so that the gamer could “drop in” or “drop out” of the game at any time. Gamers could load the game, save the princess and then move on to other things.

But, customers began demanding more immersive games which involved skill trees where players could obtain achievements and new skills through accomplishing certain objectives. These achievements then rewarded the gamer with even more opportunities to achieve.

Another video game “recipe” is the role playing game, possibly an off-shoot of popular role-playing table games of the seventies and eighties such as Dungeons and Dragons. Role playing games allow the player to take on the role of a character in the game – often with a very detailed back-story – and as that character improves his skill-set, to gain points and “graduate” his character to a new numbered level.

Multi-Player and Internet Gaming

A third and more powerful “recipe” is on-line or internet multi-player gaming. These games can involve joining a team or guild and competing with other teams. In the mid to late 80’s, LAN (Local Access Network) parties were held all over the country, sometimes involving thousands of gamers playing other gamers in convention halls all over the country. In just the last few years, LAN parties have begun to phase out and players are engaging in game playing over the internet with limitless access to other teams and guilds from all over the world. In fact, the average 11 year old gamer may be on a team with individuals of all ages from Japan, Korea, India, Great Britain and Australia. Language barriers are rendered meaningless because they all speak the language of the game. In addition, belonging to a team or guild often involves electing officers, holding meetings, having strategy sessions and practicing on-line with people the gamer has never met in person.

On-line gaming has become so big, gamers can join organizations such as the Cyberathelete Professional League and Quakecon where they can vie for cash prizes of $10,000 or more as well as recognition in the gaming community. What has become known as Electronic Sports even garners lucrative corporate sponsorships.

Not Their Parents’ Video Games

So, it becomes clear that kids are not playing at the simple games their parents remember. The games are now much more immersive and involve skill sets and strategy as well as on-line cooperation with team members and competition with people all over the world. To the young teen, these games may be a very big deal. To the parent who is thinking of video games in terms of his or her own experiences, the knowledge gap may be wide.

First Steps for the Conce
ed Parent

If you are a parent who is conce
ed that your child is addicted to video games, your first steps should be to talk to your child and learn about the game.

Find out what game the child is focused on and learn about the game. You can go on-line to learn the basics. You’ll want to know if the game has scenarios, i.e. violence, sexual content or racism, that go against your principles and those you wish to teach your child. Games are “rated”, but for many parents, the rating system does not meet their expectations. In addition, try to learn how the game works, whether it involves teams, guilds, tribes and so forth. Are there corporate sponsorships? Are there prizes…cash or otherwise?

The second step is to sit down with your child and talk to him. You will have already researched the game, so will know a little of the lingo.

Ask the child if he belongs to a team, guild or tribe. Does he have certain appointed times when he is expected to be on-line with the team? How much time does his team or guild expect him to play each day or week? Is he an officer on the team? Does he have responsibilities to his teammates? What are those responsibilities? Is he expected to “check in” every day with his team or tribe? If he can’t meet his team responsibilities, does he feel disappointed, ashamed or like he has failed? Do his teammates chastise him? What does he know about his teammates?

Questions like this will, hopefully, open a dialogue about your child’s gaming habits. It may give your child the opportunity to communicate stress he’s been feeling about his responsibilities to his team and thus give you the opportunity to give him good reasons for spending less time gaming (like spending more time outside and with family.)

Talking about his gaming may also help bring up issues such as shyness, lack of self-esteem or social awkwardness which may have brought him to gaming in the first place.

Watch and Lea
Sit with your child and watch him play the game for awhile. The child may balk at this, but don’t forget you’re the parent. You’d want to know what he was doing if he went out with friends on Saturday night. This is no different.

Ask about the game as he plays. Watch to see how the game makes him feel…if he exhibits a sense of accomplishment or frustration. Notice how he interacts with the other gamers on his team.

Learning about the game, talking with him about it and watching him play will forestall the “You just don’t understand” most parents of gamers hear. You may not understand all the nuances, but at least you will understand enough to begin opening a dialogue with your child regarding his gaming habits.