The game industry of the modern age is tremendous. Nearly every young child and teenager in all developed countries owns a gaming console of some description. I remember my first ever “game” was one of the classic Game Boy’s, by Nintendo. I treasured that piece of technology for a long time… until the Game Boy colour came out at least.

So what is it about the games nowadays that hooks everyone so easily? Is it the sheer size of the games, the graphical value of them, or is it just the fact that they’re fun to play? I, for one, only ever buy a game which satisfies all of those criteria. Imagine having a huge game that’s not fun to play on? Imagine having a fun game, which has glitches embedded from level one onwards? Imagine a game that looks fantastic in the show windows, but is actually awful when you get it back home?

The XBOX 360 and PS3 have both been released recently. The graphics are awesome, the game play is unsurpassable, and the sheer size of the games is insane! You may be thinking WOW! How can I get my hands on one of those beauties? No problems – just save up the next £500 you get and you’ll be flying! Yes you heard it - £500. For me that’s no problems! I’m the average 15 year old. It’ll only take me 100 weeks to get it! That’s only two years! Oh sorry, did I not mention that by that time the PS4 will probably be out? Shame.

The gaming industry is divided into many sections. You can have everything from a Role-Playing Game (RPG) to a First-Person Shooter (FPS). Games of the modern era can vary from being offline to being a massively multiplayer online game, which hosts thousands of real-life people around the globe. You could vary between the two, with MMORPG’s such as WoW and RuneScape, or MMOFPS’s, like Counter-Strike Source or Call of Duty.

The overall question, when you look at the bigger picture, is this: What is the downside to all of this entertainment? The answer is considered a rock to many obsessive parents, who seem to think that restricting the access allowed to their little angel’s consoles their consoles, will get them to abide to their set of commandments. Scientists come up with plenty of jargon about how it’s bad for their eyesight, social life, and copious other things. Well you know what I say to the scientists? You’re only young once. Enjoy it while you can.

If you like our blog post then please consider subscribing to our full rss feed. You may also subscribe by email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.

Teen Magazine Writer