My 17 year old plays video games in the room right next to the room where my computer is, so I can hear him when he's playing.
My observations:
1. Games like Splinter Cell and Halo, when played interactively with other players, seems to count much on communication skills with the other plays, and also emphasizes leadership skills. Somebody has to take charge and organize the mission.
2. The hand/eye dexterity for some games is amazing (he's playing a racing game lately...Forza Motorsports) and when my husband and I tried it, we were failures because the controls are so sensitive.
3. DDR is the best thing to come along for exercise, but also for coordination. Complicated routines have to be doing something for your brain. Seeing the screen images and immediately translating them into moves at a rapid pace is complicated. I tell my son he's developing "eye/foot" coordination, LOL. (part I like least about this game is that it sounds like there's a herd of elephants in the game room.)
And my one final take on video games. I don't understand what the big deal is for people that say their kids are spending too much time on them.
My kid goes to school, comes home, does homework, practices piano, does his chores, and then spends his free evenings (2 nights he goes to youth group at church), so 3 nights a week playing video games.
He watches NO TV, because he's playing the games. I'd much rather have him playing the video game than watching TV. Just my 2 cents.
Other than structured time at school and 2 nights in a youth group setting, your kid sounds like a loner without personal friends to spend time and bond with. Just my 2 cents.
I have to tell you. I'm 48 and I'm addicted to Forza Motorsport. There are a lot of us Gamer Geezers out here.
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Actually, I think there's probably some truth to the observation. However, everything in moderation.