Video games represent an alternative reality for me, another world -that you like more than the real- one where you can travel to and make your own rules.
While thinking of video games and this imaginary world, I decided to discuss this issue with an expert. I met Mr. Giannis Eleftheriou, a gaming critic, but most of all, a gamer! Here is what he told me.
At what age did you start playing video games?
I started playing video games when I was five. I started out by testing some browser games on a new laptop that a relative got me from America, with ISDN connection of course. One year later I got my first console, an XBOX.
Tell us about your experience playing video games. Do you think there is a qualitative difference between video games?
It’s a unique experience! Each one has its own style and offers you its own elements. Just like a movie does. Of course there is a “qualitative” difference between video games. We are talking about a form of entertainment here. And obviously, when someone wants to be entertained, they don’t necessarily want to be educated at the same time.
What kind of video games do you play?
For quite some time now, I have been experimenting with almost all genres. Each one is unique and can deliver each scenario contextually different. Also, it depends on what mood I am in. I will choose one game when I want to blow off some steam, another when I want to relax and of course something different when I want to explore some new technology of the industry.
What do you find interesting as a gamer?
Every new game you play is interesting. A new experience, with new characters and new things to discover. Every new game makes you feel whole and confirms that every second you have invested in it was worth it. Sure, it is not the same with every video game, but we cannot make sure that everything fun we do is always going to be a success anyway.
Is it good for teenagers and children to play any kind of video games? And what is your advice to them?This is relevant. If we mean dedicating their free time to them, I don’t see a problem. Besides, it is one’s choice on how will choose to have fun. Of course all hobbies could be addictive. It is up to the parent to become aware of it, set up boundaries and deal with it.
On the contrary, a child may have a talent in a video game, so a parent must recognize that too. The industry is so expanded, that can provide hundreds of job positions, that aren’t of course known in Greece. My advice is mostly to the parents, to be more agreeable to any new hobby of their children and look it up thoroughly.
Do you think that video games could maybe change and help the world?
Video games, are, let’s say, like interactive short movies. Anyone can be affected by stimuli in a video game. This of course can have both negative and positive consequences. The key here is using good judgement. Every stimulus that we get, we must take advantage of in order to improve the world, from our position of course. Οne swallow does not a summer make.
* This article has been published in issue #23 of “Migratory Birds” newspaper, which was released as an annex with “Efimerida ton Syntakton” newspaper (Newspaper of the Editors) on November 20th 2021.
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