IT and entertaiment

Periodically all us need some time to relax and recharge. Some people would like to travel somewhere, some would like to have a party, but most common way is watching TV. You forgot about your problems, you see people on TV that have much bigger problems than yours, you see people doing some stupid things etc. As variant you can go to movie, rent movie etc.

But there are growing thing that previously only used by teenagers but now going to older people and even to senior people as well. I’m talking about computer games.

Let’s compare them. Firstly, compare how you are consuming movies and games.

Most computers games are like movie, but you are not consuming content, you are part of it. Also, when you are watching movie your brain rarely works. There are only few games that “brain-free”. In most games you have to develop some tactics, some strategy, you have to solve some problems etc. Sometimes you stuck and have to spend some time to look for solution. And you will see that with time you will stuck less and less because you learn to try and learn about possible solutions. So, I would say computers wins here by big.

Secondly compare costs of equipment.

Usually you are watching movies on big TV. I would save 55” - 60” is good size now. Computer games you have to play on computer. I would say cost of equipment is comparable here. Perhaps computer will be more expensive than low diagonal TV. But computer is more universal, and you can do other things on computer. But let’s say it is a draw here.

Now compare cost of titles

Unless you go for freshly released titles you can buy quite good games at around $15-$30. Usually game lasts for at least 20 hours but most games last way more. So here is about $1.5 per hour in worst case. If you buy movie it will cost, you about the same about of money as game but last 1.5 – 3 hours. So, at best it will cost you $5 per hour. You can rent movies but again it is rarely you can have movie at rate $1.5 per hour. Usually it is some old titles and similar old games you can get for $1-$3. I bought few games like that. Moreover, for example Steam have huge sales quite often where you can get 30-60% discount for many games. So, it is clearly win for computers here.

Because when you are watching TV you are consuming content without doing anything and you have temptation to eat. I can see if very often that during watching TV for 2-3 hours most people consume a lot of unhealthy food. And it is not TV problem. When these people watch YouTube on computer then eat as well. When you playing games there is no time to eat. You are busy, and eating can make you flip plate or drink, or make your hands greasy. So usually people don’t eat when they play. At least it is what I see. So, another win for computer.

But computer games could be quite addictive especially online one. Games like World of Warcraft and similar are quite addictive. They destroyed many lives and some people value virtual world way more than real and this is real problem. Other games especially free games push you to buy something to have better playing experience and then again and again. And after investing many hours into game not many people can review current state of the game and say “enough”. But I would say it is a bit similar say to alcohol. Most people drink responsibly but some cannot stop. The difference here that kids are not allowed to drink alcohol, but they allowed to play addictive games. And key here word “addictive”. In my personal opinion violence games don’t do much for kids, but additive games can do much more harm.

Also, I would like to mention that in most cases playing computer game meaning that you play it alone. I know few examples where husband and wife play together, and I know few guys you met future wives in games, but I think it is rare. So, it is another disadvantage to computer games.

Anyway, this is my opinion on subject and I hope it helps.