video games. They might feel like a staple in modern day

life, but just a few decades ago...video games were as new

and fascinating as virtual reality is now. Video games have

influenced our culture, history, and way of life since 1972.

Pong - the classic game that's essentially electronic tennis.

Developed by Atari...Pong caught on instantly and was Sears'

hottest selling item on the department store shelves. In the

1980's we met Donkey Kong...and along with him...of course,

Mario, who would become the face of Nintendo for years to come.

In the 90's, Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog broke onto the

scene...and a few years later Pokemon became the most popular

children character...selling out toys, trading cards, and even a movie.

Gaming has gone from arcade games to consoles to

online-gaming and smartphones...setting up a whole

new culture to go along with each. While video games are

often based in fantasy...they also reflect both history and

current events. Whether that's a good or a bad thing...is up for debate.

War is often something depicted in popular games like

Call of Duty and Warfare. Players can pretend they are

fighting in the war on terror in Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan...or

jump back in time to World War Two. But do violent games lead

to violence in real life? According to the American

Psychological Association, violent video games can be a risk factor for aggression.

In 2017, APA concluded that violent

video game exposure was linked to increased aggressive

behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, as well as decreased

empathy. But it's not all bad. Tech media company inverse

published a report about the changing landscape of gaming.

Writing that the industry is prioritizing empathy by

diversifying characters and creating different goals. Many

times, games can enhance learning and curiosity in

players...and can even be educational. Video games known

as "stimulation games" like the popular Tycoon series and The

Sims are a good examples of this. In Rollercoaster

Tycoon...players must successfully build and manage an

amusement park...bringing in enough guests to keep it afloat

and managing every aspect of the business. And of course...we

can't talk about strategic life simulation games without talking

about The Sims...where players have to build and decorate a

home, manage relationships, and stay happy while on a budget.

(Yeah...unless you knew that Rosebud cheat code but let's

pretend we played fair.) The nonprofit Games for Change has

been contributing to this so-called renaissance in

gaming...rewarding innovators and raising interest in games

with positive real world application.