Back in ancient times,
Pong was an amazing leap of technology. Video gaming these days is astonishingly sophisticated, fostering an array of subcultures and life philosophies that foreground everything from interactive problem-solving to blow-'em-away violence.
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![Ben Mack - - Manitou Springs - - Teacher - - Do you own a video game system? I own a - [PlayStation] 2. - - What games do you prefer? Sports games like - Madden [NFL] '06, and games like Harry - Potter I play with my daughter. - - What's so enjoyable about video gaming? I - grew up in the era of Atari, with blobs moving around on - two-dimensional screens. It's amazing, the graphics they - have now and the level of things you can do. I can have - friends over to compete, and I can spend time doing it - with my daughter. - - What's the next big thing? I hear the PS3s are - really nice. Games are getting a lot more interactive, in - terms of touch controls that let you move players on the - screen with you. - - Do video games hone skills usable in other areas? - Probably a gain in reaction time, and better - recognition of visual cues. And I have a faster thumb.](/imager/ben-mack-manitou-springs/b/story/1311867/d02a/2844_iq-23555.gif)
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Ben Mack
Manitou Springs
Teacher
Do you own a video game system? I own a [PlayStation] 2.
What games do you prefer? Sports games like Madden [NFL] '06, and games like Harry Potter I play with my daughter.
What's so enjoyable about video gaming? I grew up in the era of Atari, with blobs moving around on two-dimensional screens. It's amazing, the graphics they have now and the level of things you can do. I can have friends over to compete, and I can spend time doing it with my daughter.
What's the next big thing? I hear the PS3s are really nice. Games are getting a lot more interactive, in terms of touch controls that let you move players on the screen with you.
Do video games hone skills usable in other areas? Probably a gain in reaction time, and better recognition of visual cues. And I have a faster thumb.
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Judd DeCaro
Central
Coffee shop manager
Do you own a video system? I own an Xbox 360, a PlayStation 2, a PlayStation Portable and a GameCube.
Why so many? For variety. License agreements make some games playable only on certain systems.
Are these systems worth what you paid? Some yes, some no. The PS3 is way too expensive, but it comes with a Blu-ray Disc player.
What makes video games so engrossing? I was around when Pong first appeared in the bars. I've been fascinated ever since with the graphics, lights, ability to customize characters and the fun of winning.
Name your favorite games. RPG, Elder Scrolls Oblivion. When it comes to shooting games, Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row. My all-time favorite is the Tomb Raider series, the first shoot-'em-up game that had a woman as the main character. It was a puzzle game that required you to figure things out before you could progress.
Has playing these games given you skills usable anywhereelse? It's made me more precise in timing, but it's cost me untold amounts of time with my girlfriend.
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Devin Alan
Manitou Springs
Cook
Do you own a video game system? GameCube.
Why that system? You can play Zelda and Mario only on GameCube.
What's your favorite-ever game? Zelda . It involves a classic character that's evolved and transcended multiple platforms in the progression of gaming.
Why is video gaming so popular? It's interactive and utilizes problem solving. It fends off boredom. The flashing lights and sounds are entertaining.
Predict the next big thing. Motion-sensitive controllers that you can move around in your hands to make the characters move with you.
![Ben Mack - - Manitou Springs - - Teacher - - Do you own a video game system? I own a - [PlayStation] 2. - - What games do you prefer? Sports games like - Madden [NFL] '06, and games like Harry - Potter I play with my daughter. - - What's so enjoyable about video gaming? I - grew up in the era of Atari, with blobs moving around on - two-dimensional screens. It's amazing, the graphics they - have now and the level of things you can do. I can have - friends over to compete, and I can spend time doing it - with my daughter. - - What's the next big thing? I hear the PS3s are - really nice. Games are getting a lot more interactive, in - terms of touch controls that let you move players on the - screen with you. - - Do video games hone skills usable in other areas? - Probably a gain in reaction time, and better - recognition of visual cues. And I have a faster thumb.](/imager/ben-mack-manitou-springs/b/original/1311867/d02a/2844_iq-23555.gif)
