Video Games

EDIT (9/16/2011): I'm specifically referring to Online Games. Online games are pure evil! just sayin.

I will say right now, I don't like video games. I especially don't like the more mature video games and video game consoles (such as xbox360 and ps3). I've never been able to get into games or enjoy them at all and I honestly don't see what the big deal is. And I don't see how people can play them obsessively (as in eat, sleep, game, eat, sleep, game, etc). I personally think it is not good for some people; makes them selfish and blind to others. I swear its like an Addiction! The only game console I'm okay with is the Nintendo Wii. I know that console is kinda childish and starting to fade from the trend...but at least it's interactive and not just sit on your butt, stare at the tv, and mash buttons while cursing the screen. The Wii is a great console for like fun party games (like the dancing games, and wii resort, and mario party, and stuff like that) because it involves getting up and interacting with friends who are there with you. I admit however that I don't play the Wii much anymore but when it first came out I actually really enjoyed it and to this day I still say its the best console for the very reasons I mentioned above.

Another thing about video games, I don't understand why people let their kids play Mature rated video games.It's rated mature for a reason! Just like movies are rated R for a reason. There are things in there that a kid should not see, hear, or learn. Kids should play age appropriate video games and watch age appropriate movies (however I do think with movies, you can be a little more lenient, like with PG-13 & etc. but still the adult/parent should watch it first). When I have kids of my own, they will play age appropriate games. I will not have my kids running around the house using words and actions they learned from their form of entertainment (such as pointing a pencil at someone, holding it like its held in a shooting game, and pretending to shoot someone; or saying curse words that are said in mature rated video games) As far as I'm concerned, I'd rather my kid not point a toy gun, even a water gun or pop gun, at anyone until they are old enough to understand the dangers of what a real one can do. And even after they learn the dangers, I will scold if they do so. But that's beside the point. Kids should spend their childhood outside playing with their friends and having fun by being active and releasing all that energy (that we all miss having later in life), and not by sitting in front of the tv, mashing buttons.

Now, let me be clear, I'm not saying that I dislike you if you play video games. I don't care that people play. That's just life & how people entertain themselves today. I just believe there is a limit, and crossing that limit is unhealthy. When playing a video game begins to affect you (as in eating less, sleeping less, being less physically social, irritation, etc.) and affect those around you (strained relationships, stress, fights, irritation, usually centrally caused by console), that is when the line has been crossed and the game or console has become an obsession / addiction and something needs to be done.

Feedback
Please feel free to share your opinion about video games and game consoles. Do you feel the same? Do you completely disagree? Do you find that some game consoles are less "healthy" than others? Etc. Please share your thoughts. I'd love to hear what everyone has to say about this worldwide popular activity.