Screening of Gamer Revolution (CBC documentary, 2007)

a) According to the film, what are some pros and cons of playing video games for individuals and societies?

Pros
For individuals, players can develop their self-esteem and self confidence through winning the games and finishing the tasks. Further, game producers mastermind the creation of a star system. Some professional gamers in South Korea can earn big money in winning the gamer. They are proud of their jobs of having a lot of fans and doing what they love to do- playing computer games.

For societies, videogames is a big industry all over the world. They are earning hundred millions every year by attracting many people paying to different games. Furthermore, videogames provide a special culture which create a unique language and topic of conversation to the players. For examples, a lot of game race are held in South Korea. Most of the audience know the rule, strategy of the games and this create a great and large network between the players.

Besides, games like "America's army" made for attracting the young man in order to boost the recruitment rate and train the next generations of being a soldiers. The game let youngsters to get into the life of military service and arouse their interests of military. Some games includes social values.


Cons
For individuals,  some professional gamers are separated with families and arranged to live out of shore in order to be focus in the game careers. They are facing huge stress because once they lose the games, they lose their careers as well. They lose their social network with normal social life, family life or even isolated. It is far too much "professional" to be a gamer when it is easy to lose their job.

For societies, some shooter games are based on stories related to other nations. For example, the shooter game "Under Seige" hurt the feelings of arabs and thinking why they need to be killed by American armies. Some themes of the games harm the nationalism of other nations, especially the middle east because the game label them as terrorists and evils who destroying the peace of the world.

b) According to the film, is there any evidence that digital games can encourage aggressive values and anti-social actions in the real world? Do you agree?

In the film, a research has been done to prove that digital games can encourage aggressive values to the mind when playing first-shooter games. I agree that because a lot of examples like "Under seige", " America's army" put emphasis on violence with bombs, bloods, knifes, guns etc. It is hard for a teenage in the age of 14 or 15 to distinguish their identity in the videogames or in the real world.  Some games like GTA(Grand Theft Auto) even focus on crimes committing like dealing with drug business. I believe some digital games are not constructive and destroying the sense of peace of teenage.

c) Should government had the right to a certain game or place age restrictions on it? Why?

I totally agree that government should have right on restricting certain video games. The reasons are some videogames are not suitable for young teenagers, who haven't completely develop their sense of responsibility in society and their morals and values. Further, some games included racial discrimination may hurt the feelings of other nations' people. Therefore, I think the government should had the right to a certain game or place age restrictions on it.