What Does a Master’s Thesis Look Like for a Student of Video Games?

Games are taking over the world!  They have infiltrated our computers, our TV’s, heck even our phones.  Quite a phenomenon really.  Video games have grown from their humble roots to penetrate many aspects of our lives, including university programs. What is it that college students learn about video games?  Anything from programming to the truly artistic fields in gaming.  Many master’... more.

Video games cure far more than people give them credit for, to which this grandma from Russia can attest. Tatyana Zinovieva, a 59 year old housewife, was diagnosed with leukemia and only began gaming three years ago.  Games achieved a feat unmatched by other forms of entertainment – curing her depression and her husband’s alcoholism. Zinovieva started playing King’s Bounty: The Legend... more.

While the video game industry is immensely profitable, recent years have seen a shift among gaming hardware and software sales to a higher return on mobile and social gaming.  What does this mean for game publishers and the series we have come to know and love? According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, there was a dramatic downturn in hardware and software sales over the past y... more.

“In some ways, video games have saved my life.”  It’s nearly impossible to imagine what would prompt someone to say that line and be completely serious. Video games are a new fad in Somalia, as the country just recently gained access to this form of entertainment.  It was just last year when those in power (the al-Shabab militants) banned movies and video games, so Somalis are being acq... more.

It’s no secret that California (and more specifically Silicon Valley) is home to some of the most influential companies in the world…Google, Yahoo, eBay, Netflix – each play a significant role in shaping global business, and Californian manpower is equally as prominent within the video game industry. Many prominent game studios are headquartered in California, such as Blizzard, EA, and Lu... more.

One stop shops for all things game-related are important bookmarks to add to any gamers’ computer (especially sites with decent game walkthroughs!).  Now you don’t have to venture far to get news and updates from IGN. Xbox Live just added an app for IGN, allowing gamers to take advantage of its game content (previews, reviews, guides, video walkthroughs, live eSports event streaming, acces... more.

There are many more tidbits that could have been added to this list, but lists like these are subjective anyway, which is why I’m leaving the order up to you.  Which of these facts are most surprising to you? Video Games More Effective at Fighting Teenage Depression than Traditional Therapy Although 80% of depressed teenagers are never treated, a new game SPARX (Smart, Positive, Active, R... more.

While it may be a no-brainer to gamers that the video game industry is one of the fastest growing sectors, many parents continue to align their views with the old stereotype – games are a waste of time and always will be.  Subsequently, the emergence of a new video game magnet school is meeting a lot of resistance by parents who don’t understand the complexity of video games and their develop... more.

As it turns out, video games are the cure for just about anything you can imagine – obesity, cognitive function in seniors, crime prevention…even cancer.  The latest solution in gaming helps teenagers fight depression. It is estimated that about 80% of depressed teenagers are never treated, yet this newly developed game can aid teenagers in combating their depression, fighting depression j... more.

Two traits the gaming community has going for it is creativity and dedication.  I’m constantly amazed by the new inventions produced by game enthusiasts, and the latest addition is no exception. Le Chuck of the Arcade Controls forum created the 1983 Star Wars Arcade game, standing at just 1 foot (or 30 centimeters) tall.  He faithfully built the entire cabinet to exact detail, including dec... more.