Do you think Video Games are "Toys"?

[no1_vern]

I have always considered video games as toys, but apparently Best Buy doesnt when it comes to their coupons. Even though their website does claim it is indeed a "toy".

BestBuy has a rewardszone coupon for 10% of 1 toy, 15% off 2 toys and 25% off 3 toys. See attached coupon. Went to my local Best Buy in Bridgewater NJ and attempted to use the coupon on a Xbox 360 and 2 games for the system. I was told by multiple rude employees that an Xbox 360 is a video console and not a toy. A search on BestBuy's website for the item "toy" shows Halo 3 as the 1st item. Also further down the list it shows the Xbox 360 unit.

So, I was wondering, what do you think? Is a video game a toy or not??

[MTAtech]

Whether they are toys or not they are tremendously addictive and a major distraction from more productive child activities like reading, schoolwork and physical play.

If I was a conspiracy nut, I would think that these games were invented by the Japanese to dumb-down American children so they can't compete in the world marketplace.

[surreal]

One thing about the Wii, it gets kids up off of the couch.
This guy tracked his playing and committed to playing the sports stuff 1/2 hour every day,
did not change his eating habits and in 3 months lost almost 20 lbs.

(although I cant remember where I read it)

[SoloCamo]

Whether they are toys or not they are tremendously addictive and a major distraction from more productive child activities like reading, schoolwork and physical play.

Don't be ridiculous. Tremendously addicting just shows that you hear of all the people who have little self control. Much like the news, they report the bad, never the good.

I need to find that test where they split many people in to two categories. One consisted of people playing FPS games, and one consisted of I believe pac man. After about a month, they tested reaction times and eye reflexes...the FPS gamers saw a pretty major increase in both reaction and just eye reflexes in general. So Reading is also a large part of many games as well, especially older ones. I read, but I don't see how reading a fantasy is any better for you then playing a fantasy.

If you wanted to assume thing, physical play comes into mind....a kid could go out playing footbal, crack his skull and become paralyzed and or get brain damage. Not that I'm against sports, as I played them for years when I was in my early teens, ahh good old soccer and baseball.

All I'm saying is just don't generalize. But hey, I guess I can't blame you, as you obviously didn't growup in the late 80's+ generation.

[SiliconJon]

Don't be ridiculous. Tremendously addicting just shows that you hear of all the people who have little self control.

Or it could be said you only hear of those who lack proper mental stimulus ability, and thus do not have the mental capacity to truly enjoy the effects of such immersive mental and physical participation. Video games are intense metal stimuli for many who interact intensely with the process, and such interaction may be catalyzed by the presense of the required receptors and processors.

I would defintely consider the video game console, and its software, to be mostly of toy quality. Despite creative induction, for the most part it's a mostly unproductive pastime, and thus play as in a toy.

[MTAtech]

But hey, I guess I can't blame you, as you obviously didn't growup in the late 80's+ generation.

I haven't grown up yet.

[SoloCamo]

I haven't grown up yet.

Glad to hear it!

I would defintely consider the video game console, and its software, to be mostly of toy quality. Despite creative induction, for the most part it's a mostly unproductive pastime, and thus play as in a toy.

Agreed.

[Epidemic]

Whether they are toys or not they are tremendously addictive and a major distraction from more productive child activities like reading, schoolwork and physical play.

If I was a conspiracy nut, I would think that these games were invented by the Japanese to dumb-down American children so they can't compete in the world marketplace.

They are what you make of them. I have known kids who have springboarded from games to web design.

I have know kids who sit there and play like zombies learning nothing more than the next objective.


some people are addicted to soduku and some are addicted to the video puzzle of how to overcome the next obstacle. Is it really that different?

soduku is a waste of time that teaches problem solving and it is a solo activity. Reading books is a sedentary activity that may improve reading but ultimately for many it is an addiction that wastes hours a day. Of course depending on the reading materials chosen.


PS japanese kids love video games as well