Video Games: An escape from Reality or A way of living?

Video Games: An escape from Reality or A way of living?

In our society, playing video games was frowned upon and regarded as geeky a few decades ago. Video games were seen as a time waster by parents. Individuals were wasting their abilities only to play video games for fun. Is that still true today? In the last few decades, technology has advanced considerably. Without technology, it is impossible for us to imagine surviving in the modern world. It has become a part of our daily life. These technical developments make it possible for consumers to absorb any kind of content with just one click. Video games are a huge source of joy for people, especially for kids. The majority of individuals use video games as a way to escape from their daily lives and immerse themselves in virtual reality. But is it really affecting their day to day lives? The question of whether video games are an escape from reality or a way of living is a subject of much debate. On the one hand, some people see playing video games as an escape from the pressures and obligations of daily life. Some, on the other hand, see video games as a way of life, a way to discover new worlds, to express one's creativity, earn a living out of it, and to form deep bonds with other players.

What are video games?

A virtual environment where we can engage with a world that is almost identical to our own while sitting at home and using a computer, console, or mobile phone with an internet connection. All of these activities—flying an airplane in the virtual world, playing chess with people or an AI, playing a tactical 5v5 player vs player gun simulation—are all part of video games.

Escape From Stress

For many people, playing video games serves as a pastime or a break from the pressures and obligations of their daily lives. They enjoy playing them, and it helps them unwind. Dopamine is consequently released by the brain's reward center, improving one's mood and behavior.

Video games are a hobby for me and for millions of people. Football fans enjoy playing football-related games such as FIFA and PES. Those who enjoy open-world games should check out Grand Theft Auto, Cyberpunk 2077, and others. First-person shooter games include Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Valorant, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, and many others. Imagine you're in a first-person shooter game and you're dominating other players by shooting and killing them, or you're in an open-world game where you can do whatever you want and no one will bother you. It gives you the impression that you're in command. You gradually forget about all of your worries and focus on the video game. These games offer a level of freedom and excitement that is often not available in real life, and for many players, they provide a much-needed escape from the mundane.

Earning Skills

But are video games helping us to achieve practical skills?

It certainly does. Starting with communication abilities. Because we live in the internet age, our social interactions have changed more than in the past. Most gamers enjoy playing video games with their friends. They socialize, have fun, and learn about one another. They also meet new people and broaden their social networks. These social interactions are critical for humans.

According to studies, gamers have higher IQs than non-gamers. Gamers perform exceptionally well in stressful situations. Many games are difficult to learn, so players must delve deep into them to grasp the fundamentals. So they learn more about the game, and when they are in a high-stress situation, they begin to gain experience and train their brain. Military recruits are also being trained using video games. Furthermore, video games improve an average gamer's reaction time or reflexes. They have better hand-eye coordination and faster thinking abilities.

Making a living out of Video games

For many people, video games are more than just a source of entertainment. People make real money by playing video games. The video game industry is rapidly expanding. Many people devote their lives to this field. Companies are still developing and designing new games, which earns them billions of dollars. Gaming is a simple and enjoyable way to make money. Gamers are online streaming their gameplay on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook gaming, Twitch, and Mixer, where thousands of people are watching and donating money. Streamers such as 'Shroud,' 'Ninja,' and 'Pokimane' are extremely popular and fan favorites.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, people had no choice but to stay at home. During that time, the popularity of eSports skyrocketed. Because of the high viewership, many large corporations are sponsoring eSports tournaments, resulting in significant revenue. Every year, a number of tournaments are held. The average audience for all eSports tournaments in 2019 was close to 400 million. It is expected to reach 465 million by 2021. In the coming years, the population is expected to reach 578 million by 2024. The eSports scene is massive. It has more viewers and revenue than Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and other entertainment streaming platforms combined. The popularity of eSports is growing, and players are becoming more interested in competing on larger stages.Many new eSports teams are forming and looking for new players. They compete against one another, and the winner receives the entire prize pool. 'Team Liquid,' an esports team, earned approximately 40 million US dollars from eSports tournaments. Players compete against one another in eSports title games such as Dota 2, PUBG, CSGO, Valorant, and Rainbow Six Siege, hoping to earn fame and the tournament's prize pool of more than one million US dollars. A few years ago an American boy who goes by the gamer name 'Bugha' became a millionaire by playing a video game called 'Fortnite'. It is a great accomplishment for him and an inspiration to many young people who want to pursue this career. eSports will undoubtedly have a bright future in the coming years.

Finally, whether video games are an escape from reality or a way of life is a complex question that depends on the individual player. Some players regard video games as a form of escapism, a way to escape the stresses and responsibilities of daily life. Others see video games as a way of life, a way to explore new worlds, earn real money while sitting at home, express themselves creatively, and form meaningful relationships with other players. Finally, the value of video games as an escape from reality or a way of life is determined by the individual player.