gamers get a bad rap

I think video gamers get a bad rap most of the time. Just because some kid decides to do something dangerous/homicidal and claim that a video game told him to, that doesn't mean all gamers are like that. Most games are really beneficial/have deep stories. For example.....

The Final Fantasy series - excluding a few of them, the stories are great. They really develop the characters and provide excellent backstories, even if the game is mostly about killing enemies and saving the world. Also, the few deaths that occur throughout the games are completely believable and necessary to the story, serving only to develop the characters further.

Mass Effect/Mass Effect 2 - the ability to choose how your character looks and interacts with people throughout the entire game really provides a depth of believability and the feeling that you are truly controlling the game, not merely going through the motions of a story.

Call of Duty - provides historical references and accurately depicts most WWII battles. Yes, it does involve people shooting each other, but the history lessons (and quotes included in Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare 2) allow kids to learn history even when they're not thinking about it.

Although I will admit there are a few games that have no benefit to society. Such as.....

Leisure Suit Larry/Playboy Mansion - 'Nuff said.

Grand Theft Auto - Yes, it's open ended, but it glorifies killing people and sleeping with hookers.

Well, that's all for now. I'm off to finish Final Fantasy 13 and most likely play some Oblivion/Fallout 3.