Before I even started elementary school, gaming has been a hobby of mine. Back then, I remembered having my hands all over the SEGA Genesis console and challenging my cousins every once in a while. During those days my parents and grandparents would often threaten to confiscate my beloved console every time they see me playing instead of studying. I often hate how parents tend to generalize playing games as a form of child-play, claiming it to be a childish act.

However, as time goes by and technology advanced, new consoles are born and are consistently drawing our attention; everywhere I go, I would see people holding onto the latest gadgets, whether they are on the train, on the bus, or in shopping mall. It’s not a restriction only given to kids. I see working adults, middle-age men, even young parents clutching onto their neatly-decorated gaming consoles and having fun smashing buttons, completely oblivious to their surroundings.

My parents as well, have been greatly influenced by this trend. They too, would spend many hours playing arcade games on the computer. We even have a family-bonding session playing a game from the Mystery Case Files series every weekend. Unlike the past, they have stopped nagging me for spending half of my day playing games; instead, they encourage me to play more games, in hopes that I will be able to excel in my course of study, that is, games design and development.

Gaming has eventually became a hobby that everyone enjoys. In the old days, you would probably get whacked if your parents found you at the computer instead of your study desk. Today, most parents are using games to communicate and share with their children. They no longer find games “bad” influences on kids, but rather accepted and acknowledged games into their life.

However, one should not forget that gaming still does have great impact on one’s studies. It is important that the parents are aware of their children’s welfare in school or at home, as well as their study habits. The children should hold responsibilities for themselves as well. Their performance in school is still important when it comes to studies. One should have control over his/her addiction to gaming and not be manipulated by it.

Personally I feel that gaming has somehow shortened the generation gap between the older and younger generation. A casual game like the Mystery Case Files series has seemingly brought my parents and I closer than before and now we could just talk about anything and everything without much hindrance. It’s actually a matter of whether one is willing to accept the change and adapt to it.