The ways to play video games have grown over the years. Villarreal has the option of playing games on his PS3, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo Wii, the computer, an Android phone, and an iPad.
being excited as a kid opening a brand new game and reading the instructions to the game. These days most video game manuals are more boring and dull, comparable to an IKEA build-it guide.”
Modern technology isn’t always a plus; both Leyva and Villarreal admit missing the old style of games. “The graphics of newer games are significantly better and more detailed than older games,” noted Villarreal. “However, I sometimes miss the simple graphics of older games.”
Most modern games are multiplayer with an online platform. Both gamers say they often prefer single player games when they don’t want to be online or interact with others. Even single player games today often require an online login through a cloud network such as Steam.
Leyva commented that despite their poor graphics, some of the older games often had a more detailed plot and better music. “Also, video game manuals!” he recalled. “I remember
“I hate the fact that you have to be online or log into the game by internet once in a while, even for single player games,” revealed Leyva, but noted that he believes the measure is an antipirating procedure. An advantage to computer games over their console counterparts is that they have caused an increase in home-brewed games, including fan modifications to official games. While the computer game aisle at the local gaming shop seems to shrink to allow more space for systems such as Xbox and PlayStation, Leyva and Villarreal remarked that is partially because computer games can now be downloaded online.
Roman Villarreal (left) and James Leyva (above). PHOTO BELOW LEFT: Lyric Villarreal enjoys playing a video game with his father.
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Photos by Brand Eye Photography
Villarreal said he hasn’t been addicted to a video game since he first got into the video game version of Pokemon in 1998. He did get very interested in researching the social virtualization that occurs in online RPGs. However, he knows that video game addiction is possible. “My son is addicted to Plants vs. Zombies,” he added. “I do know someone who has been [addicted],
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but I won’t mention any names— James.” Leyva admits to a former video game addiction but said he only plays a couple of hours a week now. He still has friends addicted to games such as World of Warcraft and believes new systems allowing for real world money to be used to buy virtual items have made the dangers of video games even worse. “One time in college, I held a Super Nintendo marathon,” Leyva confessed. “The marathon lasted 14 hours.” These days, Villarreal waits until his two children are asleep before turning on a game system. “If I don’t wait, I will never get a turn,” he joked. Leyva said he now has a pretty good grasp of his video gaming habits and has no difficulty balancing his hobby with his social life and career. What’s down the road? Leyva noted that the PlayStation 4 and personal computers will soon add a virtual reality headset. “With motion sensors already in place in current consoles, it would not surprise me if we see a full virtual reality gaming system in the future.” Villarreal confessed he’s hoped for a virtual reality system since he was his son’s age. “I remember talking to friends about how awesome fighting games would be in the future,” he concluded. “None of us ever thought we would see it become reality, but virtual reality video games don’t seem to be such a far-fetched idea anymore.”
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