You know, I started this blog because I had read "Reality is Broken", a book about bringing the benefits of online gaming into the "real" world. Now the Wall Street Journal has published an article about research that show gaming is good for your brain. (see it here).
Some of the stats they published are very interesting ... some expected. For example, the fact that the average gamer is 34 and has been playing for 12 years isn't very surprising. However, the fact that 29% of all gamers are over 50 surprised me quite a bit. Makes my guild of over-60 players not so unique!
It seems fairly intuitive that something a person does for many, many hours would change their brain structure. What does take me aback, though, is the underlying fact that brain structure is malleable! I don't know if that's new research, or if I missed it somewhere along the line.
Other items of interest ... violent games seem to engage us more and educational games just don't reach the level of engagement (or perhaps violence) necessary to bring on the brain-changes that are beneficial from gaming.
This is a very interesting article and should be taken seriously by educators, parents, and of course ... gamers!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Mar 1 - Miniala the Miner/Jeweler
Miniala is spending her time at lvl 85 filling in the blanks of accomplishments she missed while leveling. Although still not interested in running dungeons or raids, she has become obsessed with mining and jewelcrafting. She has expanded her bank storage in anticipation of having one of every kind of gem ... both mined and crafted. Guess that puts me at the extreme of the explorer/gatherer type of player.
Marbaran is still leveling. Now at lvl 64 and questing in Outland. I love Zangarmarsh, with all the mushrooms. What a vivid imagination to create these worlds. She is benefiting from Mini's love of mining, by using supplies of all the smelted ores she needs for her blacksmithing. The enchanting supplies are sometimes a little harder to come by, but she is leveling there as well.
Leveling achievements takes a little longer. Of course there are dungeon and raid-based achievements that neither of them will manage without a big personality transplant. But the other achievements are do-able and they are working away at them.
Once Marbaran has reached lvl 85, then I will take up leveling Meleane. She is a priest and I am thinking of running some dungeons with her as a healer. Won't have to be as fast in combat and should have a tank looking after her ass. More about that as it develops.
Marbaran is still leveling. Now at lvl 64 and questing in Outland. I love Zangarmarsh, with all the mushrooms. What a vivid imagination to create these worlds. She is benefiting from Mini's love of mining, by using supplies of all the smelted ores she needs for her blacksmithing. The enchanting supplies are sometimes a little harder to come by, but she is leveling there as well.
Leveling achievements takes a little longer. Of course there are dungeon and raid-based achievements that neither of them will manage without a big personality transplant. But the other achievements are do-able and they are working away at them.
Once Marbaran has reached lvl 85, then I will take up leveling Meleane. She is a priest and I am thinking of running some dungeons with her as a healer. Won't have to be as fast in combat and should have a tank looking after her ass. More about that as it develops.
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