Pros and Cons of Video Games: Video Game Addiction

As you can see, video games have become very popular over the years. People will stand in line in the freezing cold hours before the release of the next best video game just to say they got it first. Some spend hours a day playing the same game just to get to the next level or beat the high score.

For my research paper, I intend on discussing the pros and cons of video games. A downside to video games is that some of us become addicted to playing them, rather than just playing them for fun. Video game addiction begins when gaming interferes with a person's relationships and prevents them from enjoying other activities like sports.

There are many factors that make video games addicting, such as beating the high score or beating the game, role-playing, discovery, and relationships. Some games, such as "World of Warcraft", which iss Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPGs) , are very addictive because they have no ending.

Online gaming has allowed people from all over the world to come together and compete against each other. Someone who is shy or socially awkward may become popular and or aggressive in the virtual world. Instead of being pushed around and bullied, here they have control over "armies" and can kill their enemies, but suffer no consequences as you would in the real world. Some people can become desensitized to violence when they play a lot of violent video games. There have been reports of criminals copying violent video game crimes. Studies have shown that kids who were responsible for school shootings were avid video game players and their favorite games were violent. Video games can give false expectations of real life. It is debated whether or not violent video games can be associated with violent behavior in humans or if those who already play violent games have violent tendencies which draw them to these games.

Video game addiction is not listed as an actual mental disorder; the American Medical Association is reviewing research so that they can determine whether they should be included in the next update of the manual. Mental Health Professionals believe that video game addiction is similar to gambling addiction. It is estimated that 10 percent of gamers show signs of addiction, which include: falling asleep in school, failing grades, lying about how time is spent playing games, not taking part in social groups or clubs, etc.

Some people are more prone to addiction. Kids who get bored easily, have unstable relationships with their families, and feel like outcasts at school are more likely to become addicted to video games because it fills the void that they are missing in other aspects of their lives. Studies have shown that dopamine levels double in addicted players' brains. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is associated with feelings of pleasure. The studies have indicated that gaming could be chemically addictive.

If you or someone you know is addicted to video games, they should seek help by talking to a therapist. Getting out of everyday settings would also be helpful for someone who is suffering from video game addiction.

http://wanttoknowit.com/pros-and-cons-of-video-games/

http://www.video-game-addiction.org/what-is-computer-internet-addiction.html

Love and Hate: Powerpoint Presentations

I was assigned to read two articles "PowerPoint is Evil" and "Learning to Love PowerPoint".  One article is totally opposed to using Microsoft PowerPoint, while on the other hand, the other article is in favor of using the program. Both articles make convincing arguments.

I started using Microsoft PowerPoint when I was in sixth grade. The program has helped me present material on many different subject to classmates over the years. As time went by, I became a fluent user of PowerPoint. I have discovered everything from altering the backgrounds of the slides and inserting pictures and video into presentations.

PowerPoint is a great program for those who are not the best at using computers. As my computer skills developed, I became better at using it. Technology has improved since I started using the program, so things have changed such as the layout of it.

I think PowerPoint can help someone who has trouble with public speaking. Presentations outline major points in a speakers topic, so in a way, the audience gets a preview of what is going to be talked about. Graphics can be inserted into slides, so the audience can get a better mental picture of the topic at hand. I do think that speaking in public is an art that some have a knack for and do not need a visual aide.

A downside to PowerPoint could be that the visuals are actually taking away from what the speaker is saying. Some people learn better by seeing information, others learn by better by hearing it. An audience member can choose which aspect of the presentation they want to focus more of their attention on.

PowerPoint doesn't always have to be used to enhance public speaking, but can be used as a source for outlining subjects that are being studied. Slides are mainly used to categorize and organize information. There are PowerPoint presentations on how to make PowerPoint presentations.

In this case I am leaning towards "Learning to Love PowerPoint" because I enjoy making PowerPoint presentations. Making a PowerPoint is not as hard as writing a research paper, but can be used to breakdown information into smaller pieces. I have cited presentations in research papers.

Firth Analysis: Ralph Lauren

I chose a mens' cologne ad for Ralph Lauren to base my Firth Analysis on. The ad was featured in the September 2011 issue of Glamour Magazine. It is a four page advertisement for "The Big Pony Collection" by Ralph Lauren.

I will start discussing the surface meaning of the ad by describing the people and objects in the ad. Each bottle of cologne is given the name 1, 2, 3, or 4 and come in shades of blue, green, orange, and red. The first page shows the four cologne bottles that each fragrance comes in. The bottles are placed in different positions to capture the attention of the reader. There is a white background to make the colors stand out. White is also neutral so it will not clash with any of the cologne bottles. The ad also features the line "A Team of Fragrances", which is tangent to the numbers on the bottles and that the product is being marketed towards athletic young men.

In the middle of the ad are pictures of "The Big Pony Classic", a private event that celebrated the release of the collection of fragrances. The photos were taken by Bruce Weber. The pictures show men playing polo and just posing for the camera. There is a photo of a dog sitting beside trophies.
Women are also depicted in the ad as audience members and girlfriends of the men playing polo. Of course, everyone is dressed head to toe in Ralph Lauren attire. This is where you can find the samples of cologne that came with the ad. My personal favorite would have to be the No. 2 scent.

The last page of the ad has all four bottles of the cologne lined up in order (1, 2, 3, 4) and their refection is shown in the glass they were placed on. At the bottom of the page, it states "LIKE US ON FACEBOOK" and "Available at Macy's and macys.com".

The advertisers intended meaning of the ad is that the cologne will make men sexier and more appealing to women. While the main focus of the ad is to market the cologne, I feel the Ralph Lauren killed two birds with one stone by having everyone in the ad decked out in their line of clothing.

To break down the cultural and ideological meaning of the ad I will start by saying that the people featured in the ad are "preppy" men and women in their 20s who are considered attractive. This associates the Ralph Lauren brand with good looking people who have money. The ad shows that people equally value looks when choosing a partner. Only men are  playing polo, which signifies that playing sports is considered masculine by our culture.

Tower of Straws

Last week in Game Design class, our assignment for the day was to team up with other classmates and build a tower out of straws. The team that build the tallest tower would be rewarded by our professor.

Each team was given the same amount of straws and some scotch tape to use for building their tower.

It was interesting to see how each of the teams went about constructing their towers. Straws were put together from end to end and held together with the tape and bent every way possible. Somehow every teams towers managed to stand on their own, even if only for a few seconds.

The tower of straws exercise is an example of meaningful play.

Player action began with everyone who was selected for a certain team, came together and formulated ideas and techniques for building their towers. Each team came up with different methods for putting their towers together. Everyone was competing to be the best in the class and also for the reward that was promised by our professor. The rules were made by her. Instead of making the tallest tower, she could have rewarded the person with the "best looking" tower.

I assume that as straws were put together to create a taller tower, this would be discernable action because students could see the tower get taller as more straws were placed upon it. Other straws were placed as support pieces to keep the tower from falling over.

Players knew if placing straws in certain places would help to create a taller tower. This could be both a disernable and integrated action. The player could perceive if by placing straws in certain places would hold it up or if would cause it to fall. It is an integrated action because the placing of the straws could hold it up the entire time or if they would have to be placed differently and strategically to hold the tower up.

I noticed that one group started out by making their tower by bending straws into the shape of triangles. They started with a wide base and quickly ran out of straws. In my opinion, if they were allowed to have straws, their tower would have been the best looking. Sometimes action that are carried out in the beginning can be detrimental in the end.

Overall, the tower of straws exercise was a fun experience. Even though my team did not win the challenge, it was still interesting to see how each team went about designing their tower. If I am ever faced with this task in my life again, I will be prepared.

Ad Campaigns

Considering we see advertising everywhere we look, I decided to pursue a career in that field. I don't have a favorite ad campaign in particular, but I do enjoy seeing different advertisements and determining what methods are used to attract consumers.

One advertisement that I do find funny is the Head and Shoulders ad featuring Troy Polamalu from the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the commercial, they claim that Head and Shoulders will give you thicker looking hair in just one week.
 

If I do say so myself, Polamalu has some nice hair. Head and Shoulders has insured his hair for one million dollars. The football star claims that he has not had a haircut in seven years.

Website Idea

As of now I am undecided on what I want my website to be about. I have considered doing something related to Shepherd or possibly a website explaining how I am new to working with HTML.

In the beginning, this is what I wanted to be the basis of my website. I have changed my mind and decided to do a website about different businesses and attractions in the area.

I will break them down into different categories including historic attractions, bars, shopping, etc.

I would like to have testimonials from others who have been to these places on my website and have them elaborate on their experiences at these places.

I think this would be a great way to promote local businesses. Even people who have lived in the area for some time can learn about new things to explore.

I would like for my target audience to be college students, but everyone is more than welcome to check out my website.

Topic for Game Research Assignment

For my game research assignment I plan on discussing the pros and cons of video games, how they affect those who play them, and many other aspects of them.

I will first research the advantages of playing video games and discuss how they have had positive effects on my life. I will then talk about how these games have negative effects on those who play them.

Most of research will be done using the internet and I will also interview someone who plays video games on a regular basis and someone who only plays on occasion. I think this may show the differences between those who are addicted and those who just play for a leisure activity.

I want to learn more about the lifestyle of those who design video games, those who are addicted to playing them, and those who are against them. I want to talk about different video game systems and why some people prefer a certain platform over another.

Another topic of interest is that video games have come a long way since the 1980's. I want to talk about the history of gaming and then give some information on what may be in store for the future of video gaming.

I used to play video games, but lost interest in them as I grew older. I still play them from time to time, usually in a social setting and not to be competitive.