Free To Play

          I really enjoyed the film "Free To Play", but I have mixed feelings about the idea of gaming as a career. I was surprised about how big gaming really is in today's world. I had no idea there were tournaments so huge that gave out so much prize money, and I respect that gaming is a big part of culture for many people. But I don't think gaming will ever be bigger than sports. Maybe I'm biased because I've played sports my whole life and I've never been into video games, but I think sports are a treasured aspect of all cultures that could never be replaced. Humans have thrived off of physical sports for so long and although gaming is popular, it won't have the same influence on people's lives. Personally, if I were a parent, I would much rather have my child be obsessed with sports than video games. Sports allow you to exercise and be outside, and being active is a very healthy habit to have. Gaming requires you sit inside at a computer all day, moving nothing but your hands and making your eyes hurt from staring at a digital screen. I think if gaming were to take over popular culture, much of the world would be unhealthy. I have nothing against video games, but I think they should be used as a fun activity to play occasionally when you're bored.

           In terms of a career, no one should rely solely on gaming. Sports and gaming are similar this way: the likelihood of making enough money to support yourself as a gamer is very low, and the same goes for professional sports. One can definitely pursue a career in gaming if it is their passion just as someone can pursue a career in sports, but they should always have a backup plan, and they should never throw away their education.