In Defense of the Gamers

You probably have heard about Ragnarok, DotA, Generals or Flyff. One way or another, these things are being looked down upon by a lot of people because of the way it poisons the minds of students. Yeah, we hate gamers and we view them as no-good individuals because they are always locked to a keyboard and marveling in their own little (violent?) worlds.

Actually, gaming has a lot of benefits. In fact, it may even be a viable alternative to formal education! Just kidding. However, seriously, it can reap major benefits. Let’s start.

It’s Still a Game

Competition fuels gamers. Just like how dean’s -listers vie for the Valedictorian award and those dance sport varsity members. The goal is always to outwit the enemy, to destroy his laid-out plans and to come up with the best position in the game possible. There’s even bargaining of items and tactic reading! Dedicated gamers are equipped with the competitive spirit, something that’s not very encouraged as aggressively in schools. (Hey, that’s the reason why we have more employees than entrepreneurs. Shh.)

Skill is King

Simply put, skill is the most important asset in gaming. The rules of the game are learned, familiarized and most of all mastered. One can’t possibly let themselves invest time and efforts in the game if it doesn’t come with a ladderized goal. Basically, the stages get harder and harder and your enemy also gets better and better. So, one has to really keep up.

Moreover, the variety of games available also improves the skill of faster learning for the gamer. I remember how my gamer classmates in high school know more than ten different games in different natures and master at least 3 of those games. According to them, gaming improved the way they learn and master new things, and again, that’s probably something that our educational system should develop further.

Camaraderie Improvement

Most people who like spending time in the Internet are often regarded as people who may not have very good social skills because they’re hiding behind a monitor. In gaming, people (virtual or real) get to team up with each other and they work out a strategy. It still has the basics of a real-life team like accountability for the team mate and matching of skills.

Also, studies show that the people who “game-up” in the virtual world most likely end up real friends. They are the ones who see each other frequently in Internet Cafes. So after they play, they end up talking. Although they just talk about the game at the start, as the ball gets rolling, eventually they’ll become comfortable with each other. Remember that frequency in exposure brings normalcy, which brings ease.

I just think that gamers should not be perceived as “lazy” at all. Or dumb. I know a gamer who is a Mindanao Champion in debate. I know a lot of gamers who belong to their honors classes. Excess is bad, and that’s a known fact. However, it doesn’t only apply to gaming. If you like dancing or painting and if you spend a lot of time on those things and forget your studies then that’s just as bad.

So that’s it for gamers (and their parents). I mean, I think anyone would pick gaming over drugs any day, won’t he? You may email me your views through live_out_loud@ymail.com.

from www.mindanaotimes.com.ph written by Bitch Varsity coach

Dear Varsity, (Nov 10, 2008)

Today is Monday. As usual, it is very hectic. I had to choose between three different lunch offers. (Sucks to be perfect, ain't it?)

Anyway, I can't wait to get out of school, own a laptop, and earn endless kaching. The more I write, the more I realize that I should have taken college waaaaaay later. Oh well. At least I met a lot of cuties along the way, and learned about, erm, synthetic division(?)

My friends and I in the Young Writers Guild (under the umbrella of the Davao Writers Guild) will be organizing a poetry-reading event prolly this December at MTS. Just drop a line if you wanna come. =) Ta ta! Gotta get back to my to-do list!

♥

One Lucky Bitch!

Come to think of it, in this lifetime, I was able to experience/hear about (because they actually happend):

*The Philippine Centennial--which was uber fun. Suddenly the flag was cool. Haha.

*The Millenium--which was silly, because everyone thought it would be the end of the world.

*The First Female Bishop in the Developing World--which broke the glass ceiling for a lot of women who shone in the Church.

*The First African-American US President--which was supposed to signal the triumph of the minorities in US. But no, Proposition 8 also won. =(

*The L Word--controversial. realistic. hot.

*Kris Aquino--Now I can easily connect with a Filipino stranger. Everybody hates(if not "dislikes") her.


Wow. Ain't I one lucky bitch? =)