2008 Woodie Awards
Students take interactive gaming to the extreme
One question will remain: Are you a true guitar hero?
Timothy Spath
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: A & E
Hero" video game last October, more people are picking up their plastic guitars and plugging into the TV to jam along with some of their favorite rock bands.
In the past two years the introduction of interactive video-games to the world seems to have pleased just about everyone. Parents across the nation are happy to see some color put back into the faces of their game- addicted children as they are forced out of their favorite chairs, armed with cup holders and fold out tray tables, and into the spotlight in front of the screen.
But are games such as "Guitar Hero" and Nintendo's "Wii" conducive to the college video-game addict? Or are we just feeding the junky a more powerful addiction?
While many conventional video games require a reasonable amount of hand-eye coordination, games such as "Guitar Hero," "Rock Band," and the various sports games of "Wii" like bowling, baseball, and tennis, demand similar motions and techniques of realistic performance.
"At first, the game is frustrating, trying to coordinate your left hand to work with your right hand (as you would on a real guitar), but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature and quite fun," said Philosophy Professor Louis Howe who uses the game as a sort of therapy.
Games like "Wii Sports" and "Guitar Hero" allow for both multiplayer and single player modes in which you can file away the notes on the digital guitar fret in front of you with a friend as your bassist, or match up against an opponent in baseball. And next time your roommate steals a Hot Pocket out of your fridge, there is always the nice and friendly digital boxing of Wii, no fists necessary.
Still, with these innovative video games changing the styles of traditional playing, the same negative effects may apply and addiction is almost guaranteed.
"It's one of the most addicting games I've ever played. And when it's over you leave with sore fingers and a throbbing headache," said junior Timothy Dierking. "But I guess if someone is going to be addicted to video games, it might as well be one in which you are up and active, not just sitting down rotting your mind."
Fox news recently released a report about interactive video games in the most unexpected places.
Elderly homes across America have been the stomping grounds of senior champions of Wii's tennis game. The next time you go to visit your grandmother at her nursing home, you might want to bring your "axe" for "Guitar Hero" or Wii controller for a nice osteoporosis-fighting tennis match.
"For some people, golf is relaxing. For me it's playing lead guitar on Expert level to one of my favorite rock songs," said Professor Howe.
"Like any other addiction, video games can become a problem if you allow it to. Remember your priorities, remember why you are at University, and remember what you want to accomplish. With all that in mind, grab that guitar, boot up your video game system, and rock on!"
In the past two years the introduction of interactive video-games to the world seems to have pleased just about everyone. Parents across the nation are happy to see some color put back into the faces of their game- addicted children as they are forced out of their favorite chairs, armed with cup holders and fold out tray tables, and into the spotlight in front of the screen.
But are games such as "Guitar Hero" and Nintendo's "Wii" conducive to the college video-game addict? Or are we just feeding the junky a more powerful addiction?
While many conventional video games require a reasonable amount of hand-eye coordination, games such as "Guitar Hero," "Rock Band," and the various sports games of "Wii" like bowling, baseball, and tennis, demand similar motions and techniques of realistic performance.
"At first, the game is frustrating, trying to coordinate your left hand to work with your right hand (as you would on a real guitar), but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature and quite fun," said Philosophy Professor Louis Howe who uses the game as a sort of therapy.
Games like "Wii Sports" and "Guitar Hero" allow for both multiplayer and single player modes in which you can file away the notes on the digital guitar fret in front of you with a friend as your bassist, or match up against an opponent in baseball. And next time your roommate steals a Hot Pocket out of your fridge, there is always the nice and friendly digital boxing of Wii, no fists necessary.
Still, with these innovative video games changing the styles of traditional playing, the same negative effects may apply and addiction is almost guaranteed.
"It's one of the most addicting games I've ever played. And when it's over you leave with sore fingers and a throbbing headache," said junior Timothy Dierking. "But I guess if someone is going to be addicted to video games, it might as well be one in which you are up and active, not just sitting down rotting your mind."
Fox news recently released a report about interactive video games in the most unexpected places.
Elderly homes across America have been the stomping grounds of senior champions of Wii's tennis game. The next time you go to visit your grandmother at her nursing home, you might want to bring your "axe" for "Guitar Hero" or Wii controller for a nice osteoporosis-fighting tennis match.
"For some people, golf is relaxing. For me it's playing lead guitar on Expert level to one of my favorite rock songs," said Professor Howe.
"Like any other addiction, video games can become a problem if you allow it to. Remember your priorities, remember why you are at University, and remember what you want to accomplish. With all that in mind, grab that guitar, boot up your video game system, and rock on!"
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