AFFECTS OF
VIDEO GAMES
Pros
Video games can be natural teachers for
players by providing feedback and giving
rewards or punishment to the player (Dana
Foundation). In addition repetition in video
games can reinforce and strengthen brain
connections in certain parts of the brain
(Dana Foundation). Collaborative games
requiring teamwork improve collaboration
skills in the brain (Dana Foundation). Other
games can increase motor skills and hand eye
coordination (Dana Foundation). Some can
increase a persons ability to identify visual
relations (Nichols). People ages 60-85 showed
improved working memory, and attention
span after just playing for a little bit each day
(Nichols). They can increase the brains
efficiency by changing how they perform
(Frontiers).
Cons
ON THE HUMAN
BRAIN Video games can decrease productivity and
cause increased aggressiveness towards others
they can also cause addiction in some people
What defines a ‘Gamer’?
(Nichols). A study of 1,595 children in japan
and the united states suggested that violent
Gamers are classified by playing for at
video games can increase aggressiveness in
least 3 hours per week. Surveys show that
everyday life (Dana Foundation). Also
75% of gamers are 18 or older, and on
students that don’t perform well in the
average they are 35 (Nichols).
classroom often times play video games to
give themselves a sense of mastery that isn’t
How different video in the classroom (Dana Foundation).
games effect the brain
differently.
Video games can have positive and negative
effects it all depends on how much you play
and what games you play. Violent video games
can decrease empathy towards others and
increase malevolent or violent thoughts and
also are more prone to committing crimes
(Blagburn). Strategy video games can prevent
the effects of dementia and Alzheimers
(Nichols). First person shooters can also
improve a persons eyesight to read one or even
two more lines down an eye chart (Blagburn).
Exploration games can improve path finding
skills in the brain (Dana Foundation).

Arcades falling and the internet
providing more connectivity:
Arcades were the main focus in the
90’s it was the cool new thing. The
arcade console had features hoke
consoles didn’t, they had better
graphics, and more players could play
on the arcade versions. “However,
arcades are now viewed as relics of
the past.”, said Beaty. The graphics of
newer smaller more efficient consoles
out match the old outdated
technology of the arcades. The
arcades only pull in a few quarters for
each play, whereas the home consoles
are able to reap the profits of
everyone buying an individual game.
In 1993 gaming was a one man game
except for at arcades. With the
internet everyone is able to connect
on a mass scale with millions of
others from the comfort of their
living rooms (Nvate).
H O W V I D E O G A M E S H AV E E V O LV E D O V E R T H E PA S T
20 YEARS
Over the past twenty years video games have changed tremendously, from gaming arcades to the
current personal consoles or computers video games have evolved to give everyone what they
want “From broader audiences to the death of arcades, the face of gaming has seen enormous
change.” said Bobby Miller . Games from first person shooters to racing games that can fully
immerse you in the experience or to games like Wii sports where the player actually physically
moves to interact. Video games encompass all genres and forms of entertainment for all ages.
BE GIN NIN G OF VIDE O GA MES :
In the 1990’s video games were sold to a very small market and
most games were found in arcades (Nvate). The first console
was developed in 1967 and was only ever able to produce a dot
on the screen controlled by the user, “From this assemblage of
metal, wires and glass tubes, the future of video games would
be built.”(National Museum of American History).
START OF CH A N GE IN VID EO G AM ES :
In the 90’s playing video games was just a past time like
playing baseball or going to the zoo. Games like Sonic
the hedgehog, mainly family friendly games, were some
of the most popular games at the time (Nvate).
VID EO GAM ES TODAY:
Games have changed and now a lot of companies side
toward the teen/adult gamer. Games like Halo, Call of
Duty, Assassins creed, and God of War all target the adult/
teenage minds. These big title games have become
extremely popular. Companies like Nintendo still focus
mainly on family friendly games (Nvate).