The Violence in Hobby Game
What is a hobby game? If we are to define the word separately we would arrive at something like this:
A hobby is something that is done for interest and enjoyment and seldom requires any financial reward, an example of which are collecting stamps, making crafts, tinkering of machines, engaging in sports and many more. There are also benefits derived from engaging in a hobby, for example, the acquisition of substantial skills, experience and knowledge. A person that engages in a hobby is more concerned of the personal satisfaction that he or she gets above everything else.
On the other hand, a game is more of a structured or semi-structured spare time activity which is also undertaken for pleasure and enjoyment. In a game, players are given rules and guidelines to follow. The trials in the game create the challenge as well as help build the game structure.
Games have been present even during the prehistoric times. Its development is a product of people’s desire to produce enjoyable activities which they can do aside from their laborious work. People play games according to their age, understanding, intelligence and even on their personality.
This is also the very reason why game developers create games that vary in number, in complexities, in rules and challenges in order to meet the various expectations of people in games. Games depending on the type generally stimulates the mental as well the physical aspect of people that is why they are better played after a long tiresome task or after eating a heavy meal---in other words games also serve as a great mode of exercise.
---So what have we arrived at? By combining the idea of what a hobby is to the idea of what a game is we can therefore come to the conclusion that a hobby game is basically a game which is designed to give the satisfaction likened to what one derives from having a hobby.
Violence in Hobby Games
Hobby games played at present are more of the adventure type of games wherein gamers are given the chance to role play and act out their chosen characters. However most of these hobby games comprised of war games which is to some degree may be considered violent in nature. But of course the violence comes in the form of players slaying monsters and other comic-book super villains so it’s ok. There are also some games that recreate wars that really took place in the past ---Now, those are violent.
As much as we try to deny it violence has become an intrinsic part of many hobby games. In fact even the harmless game of chess is in reality a form a military conflict---again violence.
‘Violence is not always showcased in a violent form’ sometimes it’s presented in more subtle form such as a conflict. The conflict that is present in most games is designed to encourage players to interact. Example of conflicts are choosing an option from over another or opting to do another task instead of something else. Why put violence and conflicts in games? The reason is quite simple---conflicts and violence give the game that extra something which hooked gamers to play them more and more.
With regards to whether hobby games affect the personality of gamers (specifically turning them into violent individuals) is something that needs to be proven. You see although games involve violence and conflicts but that is not their main objective. It just happens that violence is the easiest way of creating a struggle which is needed to perk up the game.
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