Games – A Waste Of Time

There is a huge following for games as pastimes. The Internet abounds with games like pseudo-coup crosswords, mah-jongg, that good old standby Solitaire, and many others.

Most children have grown up with some type of board games. Games such as Monopoly and Cleudo mean following rules and thinking. Scrabble requires knowledge of vocabulary and spelling. The question arises as to whether games are a waste of time or whether they grow one’s mind.

Let us consider the facts. Simple games like Noughts and Crosses (often known as tic-tac-toe) and the game of Nim, I believe, simple but require logic and obedience to order to succeed. Many decisions have been taken by the ability to win at rock/paper/scissors. It is contended that the ability and concentration is required to win at these games. And that logic is required to succeed at more complex games. There is a strong correlation between successful game players and success in other parts of life.

Bridge, the card game, is one such game. Bridge requires partners to describe the strength of their hand of 13 cards to the other partner within strict rules. If the pair decide that their hands combined are now stronger than their opponents they may contract to win a number of tricks. The difficulty comes when one or other of the partners feel they have been misled in the calling auction. World War III has been known to break out over the fact that one partner 4hearts instead of 3 no trumps.

It is a well-known fact that the game of chess requires huge intellect. Successful chess players are amongst the highest IQ in the world. The best appear to have the ability to plan 10 or 12 moves ahead, taking into account the possible moves of their repayment and be able to adjust their plan on the fly.

Now what about console games? Many have been developed since the arrival of the initial Atari and PlayStation gaming consoles. Most of the games played on this type of format require dexterity, but not much intellect. Mortal combat and Battle stations and Space invaders are war games that involve shooting one’s opponent with never-ending supply of ammunitions.  I have skipped the Arcade games except to say that they sound like the cash register they are… I used to love Pinball but that skill is of no other use that I can find.

In recent times, the Wii console has enabled a certain amount of physical exercise to be incorporated. Nowadays you can play golf or tennis and bowls and other and actually play the strokes. This development is incredibly lifelike, but is nevertheless a game with one or two against a TV or a computer screen. It is not against a real person and the transfer of skills from, a Wii console to real life is unclear. (Also it is inside not in the fresh air)

Not so the intellectual games. It is a known fact that Sudoku improves one’s memory and logical ability. The ability to decode words as in code breaker sharpens these abilities further.

Crosswords, however, have no known correlation to anything. A person who is a wiz at crosswords is not necessarily good at anything else. Quite why this is so is a mystery because some crosswords, especially those of the cryptic variety require a lack of thought and a devious way of thinking.

It is the conclusion of this author that certain games are beneficial and others are a total waste of time. It is up to you, the player, to decide whether you are deriving any benefit from such activities.