The Good and Bad Impacts of Online Gaming

Ever since the emergence of Internet, online games have started to make waves changing the lives of gamers around the world. We can still recall a time when we were limited by slow computers with crawling dialup speed. There was simply no way to develop online games to the extent that they have evolved today. Today, online games are very advanced.

We now have many options that were previously not thought to be possible. Things like streaming 3-D animation graphics with superb surround sound stereo now have the ability to make us all addicted to gaming.

Playing online games is so much more different than playing games in a single player mode where your only challenge is to beat the computer. Online gaming allows you to pit your wits against the top gamers in the world. In fact, certain game platforms cater to this by having rankings to determine the champions. There can be no doubt that with this ranking system, gamers have become very motivated to win.

To get to the top of the ladder is serious business to them. Whether it is RPG (role playing games), shooting or strategy games, it is not surprising to see that online gaming is not just a teenage obsession. Adults have got into the groove as well.

Nowadays, online games are so popular that we can even see annual game tournaments being organized around the world. Attractive prizes become the lure for participants from everywhere. Some of these tournaments are so well organized that they are comparable to the high standards of other international sports tournaments with big sponsors and advanced facilities. In fact, today there is actually a space for professional gamers.

Their job is to hone their skills and pursue gaming just like any other sports person would. The emergence of online games also created many opportunities for gamers to increase their income. Many people do not realize that with the market becoming so huge and with the race to be at the top, people are actually willing to pay to obtain these virtual online characters. This act is known as “farming”, whereby you develop a character and sell it.

However, there are downsides associated with playing online games. The world has become so attached to online gaming that many people prefer to interact only through games. They loathe the idea of social interaction. This, of course, is not advisable. In fact, some also link this trend to unhealthy lifestyles because it also means sitting in one position all day without much activity. Children also become attracted to online games and find it hard to concentrate to their studies.

However, what is being said here is only partially true. For instance, by limiting gaming to a certain number of hours a day, there can actually be some positive effects. Scientific studies have found that online games can train the human mind to be agile and alert. Gamers are always exposed to conditions whereby they have to learn to adapt and develop certain strategies in order to survive. Ultimately, it all depends on whether the individual can control himself and make the most of the experience.