For some, they are a vortex to the place of the damned. The plague. The destroyer of young, fertile minds.

For others they are a haven. A blessing. Nourishment for young, fertile minds.

RPGs.

If you are a gamer, you already know what an RPG is. If you aren’t, and are curious as to what the acronym stands for, it’s role-playing game.

No, not that kind! Sheesh, where did your mind just wander off to?

RPGs are highly interactive forms of entertainment, where you take on the role of one of the characters, most often the protagonist. Literally you create the story and influence its outcome based on your actions and decisions throughout the game time. The plot truly changes with every choice you make. These games can be finished in hours or they can be played for months, especially if you start hanging out in massive online worlds.

As a gamer, myself, I must confess I may just possibly . . . perhaps . . . maybe . . . have an obsession with them. Love ’em. Especially if the name “Zelda” is attached in any way, shape or form. Don’t care if people feel that I’m wasting my life hanging out in a pretend world one or two days a week. I’m still booking my ticket and making that journey happily.

Then again, I’ve never considered video games a waste, that is as long as they don’t become an obsession. If living in a game world means more to you than having real-life experiences, then you’ve taken it too far. Turn off the computer or gaming unit. Back away. Return to the land of the living.

If, however, you are able to exhibit some self-control and restraint then, by all means, schedule in some game time.

I’ve learned lots of cool things through them . . . like if you jump off a cliff, you will most likely, definitely die.

I’ve also been scared to death in a game. They may not be really, truly real but if you are playing a scary one, especially in the middle of the night when everyone else is asleep, and you go around a corner only to have something that shouldn’t be there pop up to massacre you, your heart will start doing some new and crazy tricks.

I mean, have you ever been a life-or-death battle with a zombie, a pirate or a really, weird one-eyed monster?

You have if you are a gamer.

Killing them is not just fun, it’s educational. To be successful, you have to consider any given number of variables as well as implement skills and strategies you learn throughout gameplay–or you become a red blot under some behemoth’s pounding fist.

Ridding the world of their evil presence often begins with figuring out their weakness. Then, it’s going to involve a whole lot of persistent whacking. Truly, the whacking feels good, especially if you are bummed about something? Enter a game world and annihilate a few demented ghouls and suddenly the world is a much brighter place.

Another bonus is gamers often have improved reflexes. Some studies have shown that playing video games increases your reaction times (most helpful when it comes to driving and dealing with emergencies) and can help you to make the right decisions quicker (again that goes back to becoming a big red splotch if you don’t figure out how to deal with an enemy quickly . . . or ploughing head-on into a barrier if you don’t turn the wheel soon enough on your virtual vehicle). These new, well-honed skills could prove most useful if you ever have to put them to use in a real world situation.

You never know when a zombie apocalypse will rain down on your head!

Did you know studies have additionally shown that games can help keep the mind sharper? It seems they have positive effects on the regions of the brain responsible for spatial orientation, memory, strategizing and fine motor skills. Perhaps this is because you are always thinking while playing.

Hey, I just thought they were fun but if the experts are telling me they are good for my mind and reflexes too, who am I to argue?

I get where those findings are coming from though. I’ve utilized all those skills and more in solving a game. I’ve run across riddles that have left me scratching my head for days. Sure when you finally figure out the answer, it seems so obvious that you begin to question whether you have a brain at all. Still it kept you engaged and thinking, possibly for days, even when the game wasn’t turned on. For example, what’s the answer to this one from a “Might and Magic” riddle chest: “Strong or weak, they all soon learn. That I dwell within the hearts of men. In darkness I rule but retreat from light. I don’t need hands to grasp you tight“?

I’ve used detective skills to solve some games. I’ve received history lessons in games. I’ve used logic to figure out puzzles and riddles. I improved my math skills just by playing games. I’ve increased my vocabulary. I’ve even gone on the web to research topics that were first introduced to me in a game, so it’s like the learning continued after the game was turned off. Most people don’t get that kind of interaction from many of the other usual forms of entertainment.

Watch television all night, for example, and you are just watching it, if you even stay awake that is. Sometimes, some shows seem to have the opposite effect of stimulating the brain and, instead, put you to sleep.

Play a game for a few hours, especially a very interactive one, and you will become completely involved and immersed, your mind exploding with possibilities and new ideas.

Point is, don’t be so quick to condemn those who enjoy playing video games because there are certainly benefits to be had too. If you hate them, don’t play them. Life is too short to feel pressured into doing something you don’t enjoy; but, be kind and let those who do enjoy them have their gaming moments. After all, we gamers are doing you a service. If we don’t kill off the swarms of beasties bent on destroying the free world, whose going to do it? Do you really want to unleash that kind of mayhem on all of mankind? 🙂