B ENEFITS AND E FFECTS OF P LAY ON S OCIETY Foundations of Game Programming

A T THE END OF THIS LECTURE, STUDENTS SHOULD : Recognize the importance of play in our culture Be able to explain the benefits of role playing Be able to explain the benefits of online community games and computer games

H OW IS OUR SOCIETY AFFECTED BY PLAY ? Inspires Creates Excitement Promotes Both Mental and Physical Health

H OMELESS W ORLD C UP

Over homeless people have access to the training and trials. 92% Have a new motivation on life 89% Have improved their social relations 35% Have entered into regular employment 44% Have improved their housing situation 39% Are going on to pursue education

W HAT ARE THE B ENEFITS OF R OLEPLAYING ?

We learn from mimicking or duplicating others. Role play is an extension of this. Role playing encourages the use of critical thinking because it involves analyzing and problem solving, therefore role play is a cognitive learning method. Role-playing teaches many lessons; some of the most important lessons it teaches are lessons that are needed in society, competition, cooperation and empathy.

W HAT ARE THE B ENEFITS OF R OLEPLAYING ? Participation in role-play allows players to make decisions, and through the feedback he or she receives, sees the results of actions, and can therefore learn how to adjust the words and actions to produce more likeable results. Role-play allows for the interaction between peers. It allows introverted players to speak out. It helps to break down ”cliques”. Role-play allows for the exchange of knowledge between players.

H OW D O C OMPUTER G AMES A FFECT U S ? What is the standard thought about playing video games?

H OW D O C OMPUTER G AMES A FFECT U S ? 97% of boys under the age of 18 play video games and 94% of girls under the age of 18. Average player will play 10,000 hours of gaming by age 21 5 million gamers in the US alone play an average of 40 hours a week. Equal to a fulltime job games_b_ htmlhttp:// games_b_ html Facts about Computer Game Players

H OW D O C OMPUTER G AMES A FFECT U S ? Spending 1 hour a day playing computer games may increase a players mental capability. Promotes curiosity, optimism, pride, and a willingness to work with others to achieve a goal. Computer games are giving the players a sense of accomplishment that reality is not giving.

H OW D O C OMPUTER G AMES A FFECT U S Students who play30 minutes on the “pro-social” game Super Mario Sunshine are more likely to help friends and neighbors. Players who participate in Rock Band or Guitar Hero are more likely to learn how to play real musical instruments. 90 Seconds of playing World of Warcraft can help college students boost their confidence for tests. games_b_ htmlhttp:// games_b_ html Examples of Positive Computer Game Outcomes

R EFERENCES games-overweight-children dos-and-donts/