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<br>''See [[Video_game#Overcoming_addiction_to_video_games|overcoming addiction to video games]] below''.

<br>''See [[Video_game#Overcoming_addiction_to_video_games|overcoming addiction to video games]] below''.

A '''video game''' is any electronic game, typically addictive and violent, which is played on a computer or console. As some wake up to how harmful violent video games are, the video game industry declined in 2012,<ref>http://www.nbc12.com/story/20289219/us-video-game-sales-drop-11-pct-in-november</ref> though it remains much bigger than Hollywood. Video games are likely the single biggest cause of bright young men dropping out of college. While video games were originally designed for children and adolescent males, video games have become too popular with adult males, many of whom will often neglect family and work to spend a copious number of hours playing video games including online games as World of Warcraft in a video game addiction.  [[Liberal denial]] discourages people from recognizing the problem.

A '''video game''' is a modern art medium, typically uniting visual art, art music, and storytelling, which is typically experienced through a computer or console. One major problem in video game culture is the under representation of women in video game culture.

Video games have been accused of being linked to [[Young Mass Murderers|murders by young people]] and other [[violence]], stress-induced health problems (including unexpected heart attacks),<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/russian-teenager-dies-after-playing-online-computer-game-defence-of-the-ancients-for-22-days-in-a-row/story-fnh81p7g-1227512824314 Teenager dies from a video game addiction]</ref> [[atheism]], [[obesity]],<ref>[http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/ Childhood Obesity] Department of Health and Human Services, retrieved Sept 18th 2011</ref> and [[sexual immorality]]. Several prominent murderers in recent years were inspired by video games.<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-316491/Teenager-gets-life-Manhunt-murder.html</ref>  [[Young mass murderer]] [[Adam Lanza]] was "immersed in a perverse video game world" and "killed himself to prevent law enforcement from taking his 'points.'"  He plotted his rampage far in advance and "learned the principles of ... the tactical reload" from his [[video games]].

Video games have been correlated with enhanced cognitive functions, <ref>[https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/02/video-game.aspx] American Psychological Association, retrieved Nov 25</ref> faster reaction times, <ref>[rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=3679] University of Rochester, retrieved Nov 25</ref>, and enhanced memory in older adults. <ref>[https://www.nature.com/articles/nature12486] Nature Magazine, retrieved Nov 25.</ref> Several prominent murderers in recent years were inspired by video games.<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-316491/Teenager-gets-life-Manhunt-murder.html</ref>  [[Young mass murderer]] [[Adam Lanza]] was "immersed in a perverse video game world" and "killed himself to prevent law enforcement from taking his 'points.'"  He plotted his rampage far in advance and "learned the principles of ... the tactical reload" from his [[video games]].

Video games has also been used as "murder simulators" by American army, in order to desensitize young man, into triggering the gun better, and with less doubt, thus killing enemies more efficiently.

Video games has also been used as "environments for students... to test their clinical knowledge" by the Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California, in order to encourage collaboration and simulate risk–benefit analyses. <ref>[https://wire.ama-assn.org/education/video-games-are-changing-medical-education] AMA Wire, retrieved Nov 25</ref>

<ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/lupica-lanza-plotted-massacre-years-article-1.1291408#ixzz2NuWeFMNO]</ref>

After a murderous rampage by another video game user in Norway:<ref>http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/871121-norway-stores-pull-violent-video-games-including-call-of-duty-after-massacre#ixzz1erUdaLo5</ref>

After a murderous rampage by another video game user in Norway:<ref>http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/871121-norway-stores-pull-violent-video-games-including-call-of-duty-after-massacre#ixzz1erUdaLo5</ref>

Unbeknownst to many, the video game industry is partly subsidized by taxpayers, even in the [[conservative]] Texas.  In 2015, a spat broke out between the video game and film industries about the millions they would receive from government.<ref>http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/drama-between-film-video-game-groups-dooms-funding/</ref>

Unbeknownst to many, the video game industry is partly subsidized by taxpayers, even in the [[conservative]] Texas.  In 2015, a spat broke out between the video game and film industries about the millions they would receive from government.<ref>http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/drama-between-film-video-game-groups-dooms-funding/</ref>

On the other hand, video games have also been suspected of giving otherwise liberal people some virtual conservative viewpoints.<ref>http://kotaku.com/5764327/5764327/are-video-games-turning-liberals-into-virtual-conservatives</ref>

Video games have also been suspected of giving otherwise liberal people some virtual conservative viewpoints,<ref>http://kotaku.com/5764327/5764327/are-video-games-turning-liberals-into-virtual-conservatives</ref> therefore augmenting the political center, and encouraging compromise.

== Video game usage and excess weight ==

== Gaming Culture ==

''See also:'' [[Video game usage and excess weight]] and [[Obesity]]

''See also:'' [[Video game usage and excess weight]] and [[Obesity]]

Due to the sedentary lifestyle of many who abuse video games or play them for extremely long amounts of time, there is an absence of exercise - meaning [[addiction]] to video games can cause an increase in weight to unhealthy proportions.

Due to the collaborative nature of many multiplayer games, a subculture of video game players has emerged.

[[File:Childhood obesity.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|The state of Utah was acclaimed with the lowest percentage of children overweight, and was found to have the second lowest proportion of children spending 2 or more hours on TV/Video game play.  

[[File:Childhood obesity.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|The state of Utah was acclaimed with the lowest percentage of children overweight, and was found to have the second lowest proportion of children spending 2 or more hours on TV/Video game play.  

== Overcoming addiction to video games ==

== Overcoming addiction to video games ==

As with any [[addiction]], video game usage can be hard to overcome as soon as one is drawn into it.  Fortunately, [[faith]]-based efforts to overcome addiction can be effective and rewarding, and churches exist in part to help people overcome harmful vices in the world.

As with any [[addiction]], excessive video game usage can be hard to overcome as soon as one is drawn into it.  Fortunately, [[faith]]-based efforts to overcome addiction can be effective and rewarding, and churches exist in part to help people overcome harmful vices in the world.

[[Catholicism]] recommends that people give up something they like on Fridays, and throughout all of [[Lent]].  For some, it is easy to end a bad habit altogether once one is successful in giving it up at least one day a week, or throughout the 40 days of Lent.

[[Catholicism]] recommends that people give up something they like on Fridays, and throughout all of [[Lent]].  For some, it is easy to end a bad habit altogether once one is successful in giving it up at least one day a week, or throughout the 40 days of Lent.

== Various genres ==

== Various genres ==

Video games in the course of their existence have grown from the simple arcade style games, and have become more detailed and separated from one another. Genres can now include [[first person shooters]], [[racing]], [[Simulation game|simulation]], [[role-playing]], [[sports]], [[action]], [[strategy]], [[masssively multiplayer online]], [[puzzle]] and many others. Even then, games can combine genres, such as ''Mass Effect'' (Role Playing and Third Person Shooting), or not fit nicely into any genre, like ''The Mystery of the Druids''. The most popular genres tend to be shooters, action, and roleplaying games. Many video games are based on movies, such as Star Wars.

Video games in the course of their existence have grown from the simple arcade style games, and have become more detailed and separated from one another. Genres can now include [[first person shooters]], [[racing]], [[Simulation game|simulation]], [[role-playing]], [[sports]], [[action]], [[strategy]], [[massively multiplayer online]], [[puzzle]] and many others. Even then, games can combine genres, such as ''Mass Effect'' (Role Playing and Third Person Shooting), or not fit nicely into any genre, like ''The Mystery of the Druids''. The most popular genres tend to be shooters, action, and roleplaying games. Many video games are based on movies, such as Star Wars.

== Popularity & Controversy ==

== Popularity & Controversy ==

It is unlikely that there is any educational value in video game usage, compared with better activities that could be pursued.

It is unlikely that there is any educational value in video game usage, compared with better activities that could be pursued.

But Firaxis Games, a noteworthy video game development company, has been creating a video game series called ''Civilization'' for nearly a decade.<ref>http://www.firaxis.com/company/</ref> Civilization is a simulation game that allows the player to lead a nation from ancient times to modern day. It features a dynamic military system, politics, trading, and historical content. It has been recognized for its unintentional educational properties.<ref>http://www.firaxis.com/community/teacher.php</ref>

However, Firaxis Games, a noteworthy video game development company, has been creating a video game series called ''Civilization'' for nearly a decade.<ref>http://www.firaxis.com/company/</ref> Civilization is a simulation game that allows the player to lead a nation from ancient times to modern day. It features a dynamic military system, politics, trading, and historical content. It has been recognized for its unintentional educational properties.<ref>http://www.firaxis.com/community/teacher.php</ref>

Microsoft Flight Simulator is another example of a video game that may have some slight educational value.<ref>http://www.microsoft.com/Products/Games/FSInsider/product/Pages/InfoEducators.aspx</ref>

Microsoft Flight Simulator is another example of a video game that may have some slight educational value.<ref>http://www.microsoft.com/Products/Games/FSInsider/product/Pages/InfoEducators.aspx</ref>

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.whattheyplay.com/ What They Play - the parent's guide to video games]

*[http://www.commonsensemedia.org/ Reviews and Age Ratings - Best Movies, Books, Apps, Games for Kids]

*[http://www.leftbehindgames.com/index.php Left Behind Games - a Christian, family friendly video game company]

*[https://www.smashbros.com/en_US/index.html Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch system - Official Site]

==References==

==References==