Hey guys!
Today headstart started.. Other than being boring, nth much happened anyway. =)
So I got Bleach Soul Carnival.
And it rocks like helluva. =DD
So cute sia the characters, and the battle system is quite an interesting one too!
Platformer RPG. =D

So I came across this article in QJ, and found it quite interesting. Here:



Video games have been given a lot of bad rep in the media because several tragic incidents - such as shootings and muggings - have been laid at the feet of violent games.

However, some child psychologists warn that blaming video games miss the larger point of the issue, saying that obsessive behavior and sudden shifts in habits are signs of a deeper, emotional issue.

This long-running debate was sparked by the disappearance of 15-year-old Brandon Crisp, who ran away on his bike after his parents confiscated his Xbox. They have not had any solid leads on his whereabouts for 10 days after he disappeared.

Child psychologist Dr. Lawrence Kutner, co-author of Grand Theft Childhood, says that video games are not the root of the problem, but being overwrought with games is symptomatic of something else, as the vast majority of gamers don't suffer from psychological damage:

In essence, it's a way of self-medicating. Kids play for a variety of reasons: for the fun of it, for the challenge. Or they play for emotional regulation. They can get their anger out.

Dr. Paul Donahue suggests that the problem begins when parents don't establish the difference between rights and privileges to their kids. Without this distinction, kids will see video games as a right, and will feel wronged if they are deprived of it.





Below is a rant on gaming that you may disagree or agree with me, but comments are always welcomed at the tagboard. You may skip this whole rant if it does not interest you, but if it does to a certain extent, please read on.

I feel the above article is so true man. Haha. So gaming ain't that bad ok! Its a misconception by many ppl, and as a gamer I feel that people's views towards violent acts by those who are gamers of violent games are pointing their guns at the wrong direction. However, it seems like violent games DO influence a child to some extent, but is not the total reason for those acts. People should delve deeper and find a root cause instead of pushing the blame to games. If such claims have to be made, proof is needed, and a strong base of thesis to support your views should be the way if you are to state that it is bad.If not, your claims are just empty claims that have no proof nor base to support your statement. Sadly, people just look into the things they want, and do not think of looking at things in another perspective.

Some games have been banned in some countries. Why is that so? It is on a claim that they are bad. Games are never meant to spread any type of message or influence someone to do a particular thing or behave in a particular way. They are made for people's entertainment, and therefore people's entertainment can be drawn from various things. If people in ancient Rome had gladiator fights, but people had enjoyed it then, then it has served its purpose as a form of entertainment, no? As long as people are entertained by it, I do believe we should keep a more open mind towards such things.

Some parents may say, blood in games are not good. Because they promote violence and the act of ripping someone up gruesomely for intestines to fall out, the head to shatter, blood to spurt, and us enjoying it. It promotes violence. I do agree somewhat, though it is usually just for entertainment sake and "realism" in games. What multi-celled organism does not have blood? Its real for a head to roll after it is chopped off right? It depends on how you view things. People usually listen only to "one-side of the story". It is natural. But sometimes we must sit back and look at things in another perspective, or look at things in a bigger picture.

Lastly, due to people's decisions or bold claims, gaming has always been held down or
slowed down due to the various bans or people viewing it as a bad thing. And alot of gamers are complaining that sometimes, measures are too extreme. Some people who think "this is not good for a game. That is not good for a game." usually make people angry because it slows down the gaming community, and sometimes spoils the experiences of others.

Lastly, I do hope that the gaming community would have less fanboy wars, and that everyone will respect each other's opinions towards a certain game, and that there will be no damnation of what other people say because they have a right to voice out their opinion, and criticism should always be kept constructive and less vulgar. If everyone would respect each other's views, and no one would say:"Hell, Xbox sucks! PS3 rules!" or vice versa, I believe the gaming community would be a better place to be in.
One example of people who criticise others and don't respect their views is the forums. Gaming forums usually have trolls and flamers, and I don't like this because I believe everyone should be nice to each other, to each to his own. Gamers are all connected through gaming, and we are bonded so by that as well. I also wish that gaming will become a more respectable industry and recieve respect from all over the world, because it is special. It is not just something for slackers, and I want it to be seen more proffesional from now on. Of course, this is all my wishful thinking, but if such a utopia can be created one day, I think I can die a happy man. Haha.

That is all for this rant, and I think I'll look for more topics to discuss here from now on. =D
Bye!