The Observer, March 24, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 21
The true life of video gaming at Case
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Popular campus myth has it that Case Western Reserve University is widely known for its geekiness and its high population of glow-in-the-dark students. But many Case students will tell you that's far from the truth. In fact, many students feel that Case's gaming community is much more social than it appears to be.
The majority of Case students use their time playing video games to socialize. Multiplayer games like Mario Party or Halo allow students to talk and spend time with their friends while relaxing. With breaks between studying few and far between for many, the fastest and easiest option is to play a short round of Mario Kart before they have to run to the lab or library. As sophomore Megan Chirby said, "It's fun to sit down and play video games with my friends. I don't play much and I'm not very good, but they are fun to play." With the availability of video game systems and access to the high speed network to play games on the Internet, video games are a common choice for stress relief on campus. "They give me a release from the stresses of real life. I can accomplish things in [a] game, and it makes me feel good, plus it provides a fun and exciting challenge" said sophomore Dave Crowley.
You might say that stereotypes are based on truth, and yes, there are still students at Case who play video games alone in their room. It can be argued that these students are also being social, but in their own way. Students who play online games can talk and make friends with people here at Case, as well as across the country, all from the comfort of their own rooms.
As is the case with many activities in college, some students play fewer video games now than they did in high school. With classes, new friends, and new organizations, who has time to spend exercising their butt and thumb muscles? Students like sophomore Matt Reagle feel less "in the mood" to play video games now that they are more socially involved with the campus.
Not surprisingly, some students don't find as much pleasure in gaming. Freshman Rachel Byrne said, "I feel that… time is better spent doing work or volunteering or being proactive, and I understand it's fun and is a break from [work] but I think it's a waste of time."
Whatever your tastes when it comes to video games, perhaps now some of the campus legends of lonely nerds playing computer games into the wee hours of the morning can be dispelled. While some students feel that video games are a waste of time and energy, many still find relaxation and social contact in the warm embrace of video games.
