Video games and virtual worlds are emerging forms of digital media and entertainment. Studies show that while video games are often seen as violent and isolating, they can also have cognitive, attitudinal, emotional, and physiological effects on players. However, games like Wii have shown potential benefits by being family friendly and encouraging physical activity and social interaction between players. As these media continue to evolve, more research is needed to understand both their impacts and future applications, including how virtual reality may further blur the lines between games and real life.

1. Play & Learn
Video Games & Virtual Worlds
Studies
Mark W. Bell

2. Why?
Define
Effects
Issues
Applications

3. Why?

4. http://www.flickr.com/photos/drb62/2054107736/sizes/o/

5. Radio
http://www.flickr.com/photos/watz/78428407/sizes/o/

6. Television
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13668275@N07/2297988757/sizes/o/

7. Computers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/c2k2e/108326319/sizes/o/

8. But…

9. Video Games (VG)?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2061/2514116780_651cf43315_b.jpg

10. Virtual worlds (VW)?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bellabaroque/2372445992/sizes/o/

11. Is a VG/VW Mass
Media?

12. What is a video game?

13. http://zip-zapgames.com/wpcontent/uploads/2007/11/pong.png

14. History II
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/117196042_5dec4dce06_o.jpg

15. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickulas/1761199189/sizes/l/

17. vid·e·o game
(vĭd'ē-ō‘ gām) n. 1. An
electronically facilitated
game with a sensory
feedback.

18. vir·tu·al world
(ˈvər-chə-wəl ˈwər(-ə)ld)
n. 1. A synchronous,
persistent network of
people, represented by
avatars, facilitated by
computers.

19. http://westkarana.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/pern.png

20. http://www.tentonhammer.com/system/files/images/habitat.preview.JPG

21. http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2008/04/os91_lotro_1024.jpg

22. $$$
http://eschenck.typepad.com/ernie_schenck_calls_t
his_/images/cn_121_ticketboothsm.jpg
http://blog.rogersradiointernet.com/afternoo
ndrive/files/2008/08/video-game.jpg

23. Video Games vs. Box Office (Gross Sales - in Billions). [Sources: Business Week, BoxOfficeMojo]

24. http://www.mid.muohio.edu/computer/image
s/geek2.jpg

25. Source: Entertainment Software Assn.

26. Source: Entertainment Software Assn.

29. Kevin Werbach
Susan Crawford
Beth Noveck
Irving Wladawsky-
Berger

31. 15 years from now, the
prime minister of the
day will have grown up
playing computer
games, just as 15
years ago we had the
first prime minister to
have grown up
watching television,
and 30 years ago to
have grown up listening
to the radio.
- Richard Bartle (2008)

32. Is there a VG/VW literacy?
http://www.jeboscre
enshots.com//image
s/screenshots/25513
8205067WoWScrnSh
ot_042906_053939.j
pg

33. Do VG/VW have effects?
Cognitive
Attitudinal
Emotional
Physiological
Behavioral

34. Cognitive
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/58/159097849_7
64260f9e8.jpg?v=0

35. Attitudinal
http://mythicmktg.fileburst.com/war/us/media/newsletter/2007_08/WAR_WitchElfModelWIP.jpg
Sex &
Gender

36. Emotional
Has A Video Game Made You Cry?

37. Physiological
id.end.ity

38. Behavioral
Violence

39. http://wallpapers.dpics.org/wallpapers/21/Wii_Remote_(Wiimote)_and_Wii_Nunchuck.jpg
Why Does The Wii Work?

42. Video Games Are…
Violent
Sedentary
Isolating

43. The Wii
Family Friendly
Active
Social

44. Future of VG/VW Studies
http://dylansurridge.com/panographer/uploaded_images/toshiba_vr_helmet%5B1%5D-740378.jpg

45. Research on VG/VW Effects
http://pro.corbis.com/images/CB060558.jpg?size=572&uid={
6434D4B8-02CE-4AFB-8ECD-AB7F0CAA0F03}

46. Can Reality
Become A
Game?

51. Or are we in a
game now?

54. http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/question-mark.jpg