Virtual lives

There has been talk recently about Eureka Springs becoming the new headquarters for gaming, hosting the yearly seminars and such. Also, there is a new company forming here called Brainstem Games, which my husband may be helping with the sound design work. I have been pretty disconnected from the whole "gaming" community for a long time, since we have small children and just don't have any extra time right now.

Looking at some of the new games, I am amazed at how detailed the graphics are compared to games from when I was young and how much hype revolves around games that are played online against other users. Games like starcraft even have fan sites like CreepColony with forums for players to share experiences and tips. There are over 1,100 members registered and the forums are very active, with members even planning to meet up in person.

When you combine the popularity of social media sites and gaming these days, it is possible for people to have a completely virtual existence separate from their real lives. This is a good outlet for teenagers who find their daily lives too difficult, but users must maintain a healthy balance and not get too caught up in their online world while ignoring what is going on in the real world. In the case of children and teenagers, limits must be imposed by parents to ensure this balance.