ARE YOU HOOKED ON ONLINE GAMES?

UNEDITED FEATURE ARTICLE
By Jonathan Rod Sitchon De Guzman


Michael is a high school drop-out. Instead of seeing him in school, he can be found glued on the monitor of a nearby computer shop playing his favorite online games. He skips meals. He forgets to shower. He has no money except for computer rentals. He even answers back every time his parents get along his way. His passion is turning him into a monster.

Online games are the games being played online using the Internet. They are different from video and computer games that are not networked.

Before the age of online gaming, computer games were single-player against a computer opponent itself. Win or lose, the game’s outcome would not have a serious effect on players. Unlike the traditional computer gaming, online gaming players have been able to compete against or cooperate with human players that can influence them.

In the virtual world of online games, players can build their own virtual community different from their real world by inserting various multimedia and graphic effects. They can play whatever roles they like in a virtual society.

Interaction is an important part in online gaming; players can build virtual relationships with other players that have the same objectives and hobbies. It can create unity, honesty, devotion, enthusiasm among others.

On the other hand, the virtual world allows the players to do things that they are not allowed to do in real life. For example, when someone is assaulted by another player’s character, the victim might call his friend for help. Friends may in turn fight back.

For teenagers, online gaming allows them to do things they don’t dare do in the real world. Most players are youngsters the lack the ability to control themselves.

Many other negative issues appear concerning online activities, these are: addiction, aggressiveness, and decease in intelligence.

We should take online gaming seriously. Violence oriented games affect young people both mentally and physically.

One day, I saw Michael suffering from anger and depression. I learned that his virtual character died. He stared at nowhere. I learned that his virtual character died. I hope that what happened to his character in the virtual world will not happen to him in real life. I hope Michael will not end his life.