Solon speaks against Online Games

With the recent uproar caused by the proposal and passage of what is now known as the "Hentai bill,"  another member of the house representative has seen fit to attack online games.

"DOTA, or any role-playing game for that matter, may be fun, but it won’t be able to teach you the skills you need for your first job, or for higher education."  This was an excerpt from the recent speech made by AKBAYAN reprentative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel during the commencement excersises of University of the Philippines Cebu College. 

In her speech, she actively voiced her opinion against online games and that it should only be treated as something addictive.  She goes on further to state that unless you are on the verge of game development, that we won't learn from them and should simply keep it in moderation.  She even stressed the need to be physically fit as opposed to playing online games.

Contrary to popular belief, research shows that gaming can actually be more beneficial than harmful.  In fact most problems stem from addiction to online games than the actual game itself.   Online games can actually develop a number of skills.  As most online games allow you to interact with other players, research has shown that players can actually develop social skills and have positive emotional growth.  Online games can also teach players to be highly organized and develop plans to accomplish goals within the game.  It can also develop critical and logical thinking when thinking up end-game strategies.  Online games foster creativity and imagination with the vast in-game storylines and concept art.  In fact, many players have been inspired to go into the field of game development, graphics design and the arts because of online games.

Just like the Hentai bill, this speech showed a lack of research and understanding into the subject.  A simple seach online would yield different articles and research that would disprove her claims.  The AKBAYAN Representative only appeared ignorant and whose view is behind the times.  Sadly, as election season draws near I can't help but feel that other politicians will continue doing the same mistake of not checking their facts and doing their research.

What is even worse is that the said representative chose to attack one of the fastest growing industries in the country.  They are offering more and more jobs in game development, graphics design, and even in-game customer service.  Ironic as she stated the inability of learning new things from online games when the jobs available are already game related.  Not to mention that she was talking about the need for jobs in these hard economic times when obviously the industry is helping a lot in keeping the economy afloat.

Magnetic-rose.net lists the Top Job Skills Learned from MMORPGs.  It's an interesting analysis on some of the job skills that one can learn from MMORPGs.  Here's another article that shows how one can actually get hired playing online games such as World of Warcraft.  

SOURCES:
*Magnetic-rose.net
*Inquirier News - Solon to students: Don’t play online games
*Wired.com - You Play World of Warcraft? You're Hired
*Associated Content - Online Gaming: Beneficial or Harmful?