10 Truths About Books and What They Have to Do With Video Games

This was quite an enlightening post, but I think I will challenge two of your points.

"1. Games are based not on content, but on problems to solve. The content of a game (what it is "about") exists to serve problem solving."
The question of games being "about" problem solving (i.e. - the game content are problems to solve) rests largely on the type of game it is and, more importantly, on what approach you are taking to the game. Certainly, games like Tetris and Little Big Planet are "about" problem-solving (broadly speaking). In one you need to solve the problem of stacked blocks and in the other you need to co-author a problem for others to solve. But if you take into question games like Final Fantasy, which are heavy on narrative, the "what it is about" shifts from a "figure out how to get to the end" to something like "it's about some people who are rebels trying to overthrow some religious government". I've heard some people say "yes, but FF is not a REAL game because REAL games don't focus on narrative", but that is just like saying that free verse poetry isn't poetry because poetry rhymes - it makes no sense.

The second thing I will challenge is your statement that " 4. Games are most often played socially and involve collaboration and competition." This also depends on if you are considering Modern Warfare 3 and Street Fighter 4 or Bioshock and Fallout 3. To say that many (or perhaps even most) games are often played socially (and we must say "often" because all online-centered games do have single player content)would be correct, but to say that games (which implies all) are mostly (which implies most of the time) played socially is not.

I liked your point about books: how we read them is just as important as what we read. I feel like so many people read and feel that it's virtuous, especially for teenagers, but there isn't enough emphasis on reading well and discussing literature outside of classes (though scripture study and book clubs are a good start).

This is a question rather than a comment about your blog. The terms serious games, simulations and game simulations seem to be used interchangeable.
Are they. How would you describe and differentiate them. It's very confusing.

Thank you.

Not questioning what books say is a big one. It can definitely make you stupid. Sometimes people think because they are printed that they are definitely true but that's just not so.
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I think there's definitely a direct relation to how you read something and what you get out of it. If you take something one way and react differently than someone else, then you can both get two completely different meanings from the text.

-Belly Band

I agree, because good learners see connections everywhere!

http://www.my-mobilegames.com/

I really like this post, and I think that it contains a lot of interesting points. I do however, disagree that only games are based on problems to solve. I think that it all depends on the genre of books being read. For example, I particularly like mystery novels because of the problems that they present and the challenge of trying to figure it out before the book tells you. Unlike a video game, you're not stuck if you don't solve the problem. The solution is eventually reviled

I agree with statement number 1! Many do not believe that books can impact someone so greatly! Many elementary schools have banned books from their libraries. though i believe it's a little silly to ban a book, it does help prevent some sort of bad influence on the child. Games don't have that kind of affect on kids. you don't see people putting ban on games. the rating of the game prevents kids from playing bad games.

I think that what you state about video games and books being similar is true. I am a full time gamer, love fanfiction, and read a lot of books. All three have such power (some may currently be stronger than others) that the impact can be seen by every player/reader. For example, recently a game has been awarded (on the VGA awards) for its sheer impact to the gaming community. That game is Journey. I have personally played this game and can state without a doubt that this game had such an impact that it rivals impacts I have felt in powerful books like Harry Potter. This game also did this without using any dialogue.

I feel that playing video games that involved critical thinking is just as good as reading a book. Sometimes when reading a book, I be reading the book but at the same time not understanding what they are talking about. It seems like I am spacing off. When playing games, you are just so focus on the game.