Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Online Gaming Boom Outpaces Real-Life Critiques

Cultural attitude toward virtual world reflects antiquated view

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted May 31, 2008 1:14 PM CDT

(Newser) – The dizzying growth of the video game industry continues to alarm cultural Luddites, writes Tom Chatfield for the Prospect, but the critics are trapped in video gaming’s past. They haven't adjusted to the development of social, team-based gaming worlds, treating games “as an... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Prospect (Source Grid »)

How do video game reviews affect what gets made?
MTV

Video games play a part in 'Wii-hab'
Orlando Sentinel

Technology • Entertainment

technology • pop culture • culture • gaming • World of Warcraft • Grand Theft Auto IV • video games

More Newser Stories

Mom Calls Cops on Grand Theft Auto -Addled Teen

Boston police talk boy into shutting off PlayStation

(NEWSER) - A Boston teen's excessive video game playing caused his mom to call 911 this weekend. Angela Mejia awoke at 2:30am to find her son still playing Grand Theft Auto IV, so she unplugged his PlayStation. "I want to help my son, but I can’t find a way," lamented the stressed-out mom. The video-addled 14-year-old argued, so she called the cops, who managed to persuade the son to hit pause on his life of virtual crime. More»

Study: Video Game Addicts Aren't Nerds

'Problem gamers' may be unhealthy, but they're not lonely geeks

(NEWSER) - The stereotype of the hard-core gamer as a friendless geek may be as outdated as Pac-Man, Reuters reports. An Australian study looked at "problem gamers" who spent more than 50 hours a week playing and discovered that less than 1% had poor social skills. The findings contradict statements from the American Medical Association suggesting people hooked on games like World of Warcraft struggle to cope in the real world. More»

For Actor, Grand Theft Auto Doesn't Pay

Gaming companies refuse to dole out royalties

(NEWSER) - He has gained fame and exposure as the voice of sly Balkan criminal Niko Bellic in Grand Theft Auto IV. But actor Michael Hollick would rather see a royalty check from Rockstar Games, reports the New York Times. Though the game has raked in roughly $600 million so far, Hollick earned $100,000 for his gritty voice work and, unlike his compatriots in film or TV, will get no residuals or royalties. More»

Sony Aims to Power Up Online Gaming

Games developer seeks to reach new markets with innovative scenarios

(NEWSER) - Sony is seeking to boost online gaming to the next level with a pair of new adventures in the pipeline. The company's 1999 EverQuest was the first massive online game to rocket to popularity, but rivals like World of Warcraft have since taken the lead. With spy shooter game The Agency and the tweener-targeting Free Realms, Sony hopes to get back on top. More»

Competitive, Social Aspects Make Video Games Addictive

No shortage of horror stories about fun-seekers-turned-junkies

(NEWSER) - The American Medical Association may not yet rank video gaming as addictive, but players who call World of Warcraft “World of Warcrack” know the score, writes Kristin Kalning on msnbc.com. But what is it that drives obsessed players to neglect their jobs, their health and even their kids? Competing and socializing, says a therapist who treats Internet and computer addiction. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Online Gaming Boom Outpaces Real-Life Critiques

Cultural attitude toward virtual world reflects antiquated view

technology • pop culture • culture • gaming • World of Warcraft • Grand Theft Auto IV • video games

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Mom Calls Cops on Grand Theft Auto -Addled Teen

Boston police talk boy into shutting off PlayStation

Study: Video Game Addicts Aren't Nerds

'Problem gamers' may be unhealthy, but they're not lonely geeks

For Actor, Grand Theft Auto Doesn't Pay

Gaming companies refuse to dole out royalties

Sony Aims to Power Up Online Gaming

Games developer seeks to reach new markets with innovative scenarios

Competitive, Social Aspects Make Video Games Addictive

No shortage of horror stories about fun-seekers-turned-junkies

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?