—
We are living in a world where people spend more time looking down than looking up. With new operating systems like KaiOS, even countries that are lagging in development are turning feature phones into smart mobile devices. The mobile phone has invaded our lives so profoundly that it is the glowing screen that first meets our eye than the warm rays of the sun.
The more virtual our daily lives become more are the chances of falling into the misconception that virtuality is the reality. The evidence of this illusion gripping human experience is the growing number of simulation games and its popularity with the players. The confessions of game addicts, testimonies and comparative studies further support the fact.
The World Health Organization, included in its International Classification of Disease 11 (ICD) the “gaming disorder” based on the health trends till mid-2018. WHO calls this as a condition where gaming becomes addictive so much so that, it takes priority over other activities daily activities. Many of the simulation game ratings imply suitability for the age group above 12. The Sims is one such game. The effects on behaviour patterns and socialising skills of growing children are immense.
Here are the ways it impacts your real life :
- Affects Your Perception – Human beings perceive their surroundings from the immense synthesis of information that they gather from their five primary senses. The sight, the feel, the taste, the smell, and the sound. In gaming, we derive perception from just our sight and sound. However, in real life, we do so from the total involvement of our five senses. Mobile app development still has not reached such heights to offer gaming apps that satiates all the senses.
- Mediocre Experience – t is seen that if you eat your food with your eyes closed and nose closed, then you won’t be able to recognise the food you are eating. It is because, though you need to taste the food, the wholeness is a contribution of the sight of food and its smell, they trigger factors that create the whole real experience. The simulations restrict the dimensions so much that the satisfaction is always in craving. The frustration building deep inside the mind is one danger. The other is the conditioning that may slowly over time gamers settle for mediocre experiences of life.
Mediocre performance is another consequence. There is often no time to do anything correctly. Whether it is homework or activity, the poor perception and the urge to fall into the chair in front of the gaming screen keeps disturbing the mind.
- Anxiety Bursts – In life we are never sure about the next moment, and that is why life is one of the greatest mysteries. Now, in simulation games, you get second chances and many chances of the same incident over the same set of conditions. It is never possible in real life. Real life is a flux, and everything is changing. After hours of conditioning in the virtual world, many gamers are overwhelmed by the reality of life.
It becomes difficult to face life as it is. The anxiety becomes so much that, to take the right step, the gamer errs a lot. And most often as is seen in case studies, goes into a withdrawal mode. The courage to go out there and meet the unknown waves of life is lacking. A fear, a kind of anxiety takes hold of the senses, and this further justifies the behaviour for the person internally.
- Ability to Make Relationships – By the time children attain their puberty, the hormones start taking charge of their body. The period is full of mood swings, behavioural and bodily change. The urge to make relationship springs in young minds. The curiosity to know the other sex and spend time with them.
But it requires courage and perseverance. Simulation games like the ‘Sims 4’ and Avakin Life’, work on programmers experience and perception of the people and the other sex. It most often places notions on the mind of young gamers, who then carry it throughout their life. They quickly give up in the real world, as the whole effort may appear worthless.
Even making other social relationship is difficult for them as they always live in a competitive gaming world. The teammates keep on changing, and life appears to be competitive. The ordinary acts of kindness, the smile that you give others because it’s another beautiful morning, the care that others provide you merely because you are human. These subtle things, though subtle go a long way in shaping your individuality. Gaming addiction like any other addiction keeps you closed to such moments.
- Ability to Love – Of all the qualities, love is the essential quality. Compassion, acceptance, sharing and all that is good in this world come from love. One can say that these are the flowers of the same seed love.
Now, love is not something concerned with the other person. You walk into a beautiful forest, and you feel the fresh air, you see the animals celebrating life, the flowers dancing in the wind and your heart opens up and fills with ecstasy. This is love the ability to understand and accept everything around you. The conditioning in gaming blurs this totality of life. In simulations, the capturing fantasy world gives a lopsided view about reality. The other senses remain thirsty for experience and frustration builds up. Over time people start believing this constricted fallacy and become life negative.
Recent studies in the medical field are giving both opposing and supporting evidences about gaming. However, the effects of simulation and real-life games need to be investigated more deeply as socialising and behavioural diseases are increasing in developed countries with children spending more time on-screen. So humanity needs to tread carefully and cautiously when passing on technology to the younger generation.
—
This content is sponsored by Premjith B P K.
Photo: Shutterstock