March 30, 2007

Playing games is not just childs' play
By Anise Hollingshead

Who is an adult? This is the definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary: “fully developed and mature, grown-up.” The definition my family members would offer is: “One who doesn’t make a lot of noise, or play with the kids noisily.” My husband’s family would answer: “Everyone but Anise and Ronnie!”

The reason I’m pondering this philosophical question is due to an accumulation over the years of the reactions my husband and I have received because of our playing games on the computer and various console systems. My friends are a little perplexed by the fact that I enjoy reviewing games as a hobby, especially now that my kids are practically grown. While these friends may play online card and board games on the computer now and then, the majority of them don’t play computer games, or any console games.

A few months ago, I decided to be one of the many standing in line for the launch of the Wii. This was the first time I had ever done this type of thing, as I’m usually too cheap to ever pay full price for a console system when it is first released. However, I had hopes of scoring a few Wii games to review that my family would enjoy playing, and thought that would warrant the cost and effort involved. So, off to Wal-Mart I hoofed.

The launch day happened to coincide with the day our Life Group, a small bible study class, meets every week. When I told them I would be absent because I was standing in line for a Wii, the reactions were of amazement and humor. They all thought I was nuts, and made fun of me for what they perceived as an absolute waste of time.

I forged on with my plans, though, and had a pretty good time, as it turned out! The Wii launch wasn’t nearly as frenetic as the PS3, and I only had to hang around Wal-Mart for around 14 hours (They let us sign a list, walk around the store, and even gave us donuts.)  I actually could have waited to show up around 2:00 that afternoon, as there were still people putting names on the list at that time. And, once I heard from others how hard it was to get a Wii after launch because of the shortages, I was very glad I did. A friend of mine in Canada didn’t manage to get one until February.

While this viewpoint is true across the board for all electronic media games, it seems to be the strongest toward handheld systems. In order to review games while taking care of familial duties, it is frequently necessary to play the handheld games in various locales like a doctor or dentist waiting office, a ball game, or many other places where you may be while out and about. The looks I get when I haul the DS out and start playing! You can feel the condemnation. These reactions to handheld games are always much stronger than what I receive for computer games, or even console games. I recently took my DS to my daughter’s soccer game and let several kids try out Kim Possible, which I was reviewing. They were very surprised to discover that this was my DS and game, and not my daughter’s.

Why this reaction to adults who play electronic games? Why are electronic games considered any different from board games, party games, or team sports, all of which adults play? I believe the answer is that most people my generation (40-up) didn’t grow up playing these types of games, except in an arcade parlor. They perceive these types of activities as solely the realm for children. I have noticed that with younger married couples, the guys are more likely to play these games than their parents.  Still, their wives usually don’t play, and seem to regard their husbands’ gaming as childish. This does seem to correlate with statistics showing that more adults are playing video games each year, as compared to previous polls, but that men still play more than women.

As for handhelds, I think it’s because these smaller systems have been advertised specifically toward the younger market, as they are the ones who evidently need to be entertained 24/7 while on the go. But, adults are the ones who are driving them all these places, and we need some entertaining distraction, as well! It’s really fun to play strategy or board games while waiting somewhere. Multi-player games like Mario Kart are fun to play with friends while hanging out, too. And, of course, there are those arcade champions who can tune out any and all distractions while shooting everything onscreen.

Will these games ever be considered as not just child’s play? I think as time goes on, more adults will be used to playing these games, as they will have grown up with them. And, the sheer variety of systems and games due to increases in technology, should draw in more people. We just need to keep explaining to all these detractors that age is a state of mind, as my editor pointed out to me. Studies show that the more engaged we keep our minds and bodies, the more likely we’ll live longer, healthier lives. What better way to keep our minds sharp than to use our critical thinking skills and reflexes as we hunt for that last jewel, or battle one more minion?

If you’re reading this, I’m going to assume that you already play video games and may have encountered these types of reactions yourself. You probably just shrug it off as slightly annoying, but easily ignorable. Take heart, though, as the disapproval will probably lessen as time marches on. Who knows, even the lowly handhelds may get some respect as suitable for “adults”!

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