I live in the USA and I am concerned about the future. I created this blog to share my thoughts on the economy and anything else that might catch my attention.
Interesting one about video games and amblyopia. Our son had a congenital cataract. We were patching like crazy before and after the surgery. I asked the ophthalmologist about video games and he said researchers have tried it, but they didn't seem to make a difference, that it was a time, not an intensity issue. That somewhat surprised me, but he seemed to be a sharp guy and I never questioned it.
Now I kick myself as a simple search of "video games amblyopia pubmed" shows quite a few promising hits. I haven't read them, maybe they are bunk, but still... trust, but verify. I should have known.
For example, I tend to believe the claim that video gaming is beneficial up to 21 hours a week, then starts turning detrimental.
If nothing else, it can be hard on my eyes. I remember being glued to the screen on a game that was mostly green. Many, many hours later I turned away and noticed that the white walls had turned purple. I opted to stop playing for a while, lol.
As a side note, I've added Frugal Dad to my blog list. Lots of good stuff in there.
I also hope you are right about gaming saving GDP. There's a chance.
Unfortuantely, I watched the gaming company where I worked implode. I know it is biasing me more than it probably should, but I have no real way of knowing for sure.
I should probably mention that my favorite MMORPG was created in Iceland (don't play currently though) and many of the games I have enjoyed the most were created in Japan.
If they don't have BS IP attacks to shut down competition I see them getting nickle and dimed by the indies.
The barrier of entry to game creation is declining rapidly. When I/we started in the 1990s it took tens of thousands of dollars of capital. Now it just takes time and talent (that hasn't changed much) but the disintermediation of the publishing model by the App Store model is an immense leveller.
Apple's AppStore is a big deal. As is Steam, and Microsoft's new App Store.
I have a friend trying to get me interested in creating games again and for the reasons you say.
I'd really like to do a cross between Daisenryaku and a strategy RPG.
I'm willing to share my idea on the hopes that someone actually creates it first. I'd like to play it. I'd easily pay $50 if it could provide me with 1,000 hours of game play (which it very well could, lol).
I know we did. That's why I brought it up! I can't believe it has already been a year though. WTF!
We should get together. Two procrastinators can get it done in twice the time, lol.
Oh, and get this. Guess what I've been playing lately. That same game! Thanks to the map editor (very rare in a PS2 title), it never seems to get old. I'd sure love to have the ability to tweak the AI though.
Ha! I've been meaning to send you a note on Apps. Mark, do you remember my email or website?
I can't exactly reciprocate, but hey if you want to put it on your blog roll... :-)
One last thing, either of you keep up with the blog Half Sigma? It seems like maybe yes, because he has written about gaming as the future for a CCC equivalent to keep the lower 1/2 of the bell curve "employed" in exchange for their transfer payments. Sounds ridiculous at first blush, but when you start thinking about effects of automation, idiocracy, the negative externalities of idle-hands, resource constraint and environmental impacts of real make-work projects, etc. well... it's not that ridiculous.
Just a few minutes ago, in my latest post, I said, "I also make you this solemn promise. If I have any say in the matter, which I currently do, this blog will never have advertising on it. I don't want to see it. I assume you don't either."
Part of me wants to create a new list just for shameless advertising plugs now.
Tell you what. Feel free to include a link to your website any time you comment and I'll look the other way.
Congress here I come! I've taken the first step towards compromising my principles, lol. :)
Interesting one about video games and amblyopia. Our son had a congenital cataract. We were patching like crazy before and after the surgery. I asked the ophthalmologist about video games and he said researchers have tried it, but they didn't seem to make a difference, that it was a time, not an intensity issue. That somewhat surprised me, but he seemed to be a sharp guy and I never questioned it.
ReplyDeleteNow I kick myself as a simple search of "video games amblyopia pubmed" shows quite a few promising hits. I haven't read them, maybe they are bunk, but still... trust, but verify. I should have known.
AllanF,
ReplyDeleteIt is always hard to know what helps and hinders.
For example, I tend to believe the claim that video gaming is beneficial up to 21 hours a week, then starts turning detrimental.
If nothing else, it can be hard on my eyes. I remember being glued to the screen on a game that was mostly green. Many, many hours later I turned away and noticed that the white walls had turned purple. I opted to stop playing for a while, lol.
As a side note, I've added Frugal Dad to my blog list. Lots of good stuff in there.
Gaming is in fact going to save our GDP.
ReplyDeleteGaming devices create immense amounts of wealth.
Just look at the value WOW players get for their piddly $10/week. About the cost of a bowling league, but very little consumption of real resources.
If nothing else, it can be hard on my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI got to enjoy my friend's 12' projection setup while house-sitting for him.
My G-d. Now that was $10,000 well-spent.
Troy,
ReplyDeleteI actually thought about going that route (on a smaller scale).
Troy,
ReplyDeleteI also hope you are right about gaming saving GDP. There's a chance.
Unfortuantely, I watched the gaming company where I worked implode. I know it is biasing me more than it probably should, but I have no real way of knowing for sure.
I should probably mention that my favorite MMORPG was created in Iceland (don't play currently though) and many of the games I have enjoyed the most were created in Japan.
ReplyDeleteThat also gives me pause.
EA is the Best Buy of gaming.
ReplyDeleteIf they don't have BS IP attacks to shut down competition I see them getting nickle and dimed by the indies.
The barrier of entry to game creation is declining rapidly. When I/we started in the 1990s it took tens of thousands of dollars of capital. Now it just takes time and talent (that hasn't changed much) but the disintermediation of the publishing model by the App Store model is an immense leveller.
Apple's AppStore is a big deal. As is Steam, and Microsoft's new App Store.
The World is Flat for gaming.
Troy,
ReplyDeleteI have a friend trying to get me interested in creating games again and for the reasons you say.
I'd really like to do a cross between Daisenryaku and a strategy RPG.
I'm willing to share my idea on the hopes that someone actually creates it first. I'd like to play it. I'd easily pay $50 if it could provide me with 1,000 hours of game play (which it very well could, lol).
Goddamit we had this conversation a year ago.
ReplyDeleteCan you tell I'm the world's greatest procrastinator?
Troy,
ReplyDeleteI know we did. That's why I brought it up! I can't believe it has already been a year though. WTF!
We should get together. Two procrastinators can get it done in twice the time, lol.
Oh, and get this. Guess what I've been playing lately. That same game! Thanks to the map editor (very rare in a PS2 title), it never seems to get old. I'd sure love to have the ability to tweak the AI though.
Ha! I've been meaning to send you a note on Apps. Mark, do you remember my email or website?
ReplyDeleteI can't exactly reciprocate, but hey if you want to put it on your blog roll... :-)
One last thing, either of you keep up with the blog Half Sigma? It seems like maybe yes, because he has written about gaming as the future for a CCC equivalent to keep the lower 1/2 of the bell curve "employed" in exchange for their transfer payments. Sounds ridiculous at first blush, but when you start thinking about effects of automation, idiocracy, the negative externalities of idle-hands, resource constraint and environmental impacts of real make-work projects, etc. well... it's not that ridiculous.
In case it wasn't obvious, please drop me a line?
ReplyDeleteAllanF,
ReplyDeleteNow that just figures!
Just a few minutes ago, in my latest post, I said, "I also make you this solemn promise. If I have any say in the matter, which I currently do, this blog will never have advertising on it. I don't want to see it. I assume you don't either."
Part of me wants to create a new list just for shameless advertising plugs now.
Tell you what. Feel free to include a link to your website any time you comment and I'll look the other way.
Congress here I come! I've taken the first step towards compromising my principles, lol. :)
AllanF,
ReplyDeleteI have not been reading Half Sigma. I'll check it out.
My email can be found in my blog's profile.
"View my complete profile" can be seen on the left side of my blog at the bottom.
ReplyDeleteFrom a Half Sigma post.
ReplyDeleteToo many people are visiting this blog
I hope I never get to that point. I have a plan if it happens though. I'll slow my posting until balance is achieved.