Games are categorized into two main categories. There are games that are physical in nature, such as board games, car games, and sports games. Then there are games that can be performed only through the use of computer software, such as online games. In both cases, a game is generally a controlled form of play, generally undertaken for fun or entertainment, and at times used as an instructional tool. Games are quite different from choreographed work, which typically are carried out for profit, and from fine arts, which has been traditionally considered to be an expression of artistic or aesthetic elements.
Children as young as four years old are familiar with playing games. Most of them are familiar with playing simple games of tag and hide and seek. They may also engage in hunting for items that they need in order to better equip their bodies so they can engage in real world activities. When playing games in the real world, children may travel, work and live in a fully functioning society, but many still turn back to the games they know and love.
Adults have become drawn to video games as well. The advent of the Nintendo Wii has increased the number of adults who are now familiar with video games. Although video games provide an escape from the rigors of life, many adults report feeling some degree of detachment from the modern society that they leave behind. Instead of becoming immersed in the day-to-day events and happenings of the real world, adults often spend long hours in front of the television. Because of this, the grey matter in the brain is not able to fully process the grey matter associated with gaming, resulting in a loss of higher order cognitive functions.
The gray matter in the brain can be affected by the way that people relate to gaming. Because playing video games requires the player to make use of his or her cognitive faculties, those who cannot engage in the same tasks that they would find interesting in the real world may find themselves experiencing a deterioration of their thinking skills. This means that if an adult is unable to think critically, the person’s ability to play video games may suffer.
Beyond these direct results of playing video games, the act of playing itself can have ramifications in the mind. In a recent study, researchers have found that people who played a lot of board games when they were younger, developed greater degrees of both spatial skills and a sense of order than those who did not play this many board games. Those who played for longer periods of time developed a preference for one type of genre over another, according to the study. This means that someone who plays a lot of adventure games may grow to dislike role-playing board games, for example. However, the person may grow to appreciate the board games if she or he sees it as a means of escape from the real world.
As mentioned earlier, there are many positive benefits associated with playing video games, though there are also a few negative aspects of this activity that need to be taken into consideration. For one thing, some experts argue that too much time spent playing video games can lead to a decline in overall intellectual functioning. In fact, there are some who believe that gaming can lead to poor communication skills, as well as an increased risk of acquiring a serious sickness such as Alzheimer’s disease. On the other hand, there are also some experts who point out that too much exposure to visual images can result in a decrease in learning and memory skills, whereas playing with the computer could actually provide a beneficial benefit for those looking to improve their computer skills.