Anniee's Weblog

Usually I am a fan of the old fashioned game. I like me some cards on a table. I never liked video games because it was the only toy that I could not pull my brother’s attention from when I was little (or my mother for that matter, when Tetris was on the screen).
It’s for this reason that I think the new games that are coming out are terrific. When my boyfriend brought the Wii into the house, I rolled my eyes. But I found that it actually has so many features that encourage interacting with other people rather than the screen. And what’s more is that everyone can play it and there are games that everyone will be interested in. A biased video-game hater ruined by the harsh childhood trauma of being ignored (mua) can actually win at a Wii boxing once in a while without having had years of gaming experience. My father, a 60 year old man with advanced arthritis that does not allow him much mobility, found a new way to get physical activity or to play the sports he can no longer play virtually.

The other games, which I experienced during our game night last week, have interactive elements as well. I played tetris on a handheld but against two other people. I played a guitar although I had no actual guitar skills. And although I remain a big proponent of children getting outside of the virtual world and literally outside, I think that DDR is a good way to at least get them moving if they are going to be in front of a TV all day.

I think that these games could do a lot to bring people into the library. And not just teens. Think of the family nights, especially for those who cannot afford these appliances at home. No more Trivial Pursuit or Gin Rummy? I hope that’s not the case, but I think that these games will be a healthy addition to game night among libraries and households.