How do I convince her games have merit?

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Does she watch television?

If yes, follow her method: Tell that's it's unsociable, mindwasting, and useless. If she protests, tell her that's what she's forcing you through.

 

[The Heik]

My mom is dead set in scapegoating video-games for all my 'inadequacies' (no innuendo intended). She feels that all video games are useless and mind killing, even more so than television. She believe I have an 'addiction' which she has to cure, and my modest 10-hours-a-week playtime has been reduced to zero. I usually play Halo and I'm ecstatic about Reach. All my friends love it and we play together every night. Since they live far away it's a great way to spend time together and socialize. On the contrary, she sees it as antisocial and useless, so now my four-player Legendary runthrough is a three-man game and I'm stuck hearing stories of 'epic kills' the next day. How do I convince her it isn't killing my soul?

Well, first tell her that the same feelings she's having were felt about TV, movies, radio, books, plays, painting, and pretty much every other artistic medium ever made. And we would be a far less enriched culture if they didn't exist. And way less enjoyable.

We also be a far less technologically advanced society if games weren't developed. it's because of those high processing and visual requirements that our computers are even a tenth as good. If your mother is against that, then tell her that she might as well move to the Dark Ages, as those people shared her same fears of new things.

There are also many social and physical advantages to playing video games. When playing a game like Halo: Reach, your reaction time becomes much faster than normal, so if you were to play it just before going to play sports, you're going to be that much faster on the field.

You're also playing with roughly a million other players in Reach, and at any time you can strike up a conversation with people who you already share common interests (hence why you're both playing the same game). I've talked to other people about politics in tandem with gunning down enemies in Modern Warfare 2. I've discussed philosophy whilst chainsawing the Locust in Gears of War. If that amount of interaction considered anti-social, then I want to know what she classifies as social.

And of course, show her Extra Credit. That show explains so much about why gaming is important.

 

[SilverUchiha]

You have a couple ways to approach this situation:

The Stewie: Simply kill her and move on... just make sure to hide the body.

The Realistic Way: Discuss this over a fine meal at a nice place and explain to her rationally how what she is doing is WRONG and how you two should be able to come to some sort of compromise on the matter

The Insane Way: Flail her with moon rocks until she screams for her Uncle. If she doesn't have an uncle, she'll scream for an uncle that doesn't exist... that is how bad the flailing will be.

 

[Furious Styles]

Yeah, I'm sure showing his mum a game where you help a woman take a shower for 5 minutes (several times I believe) is going to improve the overall situation.

Yeah, that's gratuitous, but the overall quality of the game and the story telling is excellent.

 

[godofallu]

You shouldn't be allowed to play Halo if you still live with your parents.

 

[Woodsey]

Yeah, I'm sure showing his mum a game where you help a woman take a shower for 5 minutes (several times I believe) is going to improve the overall situation.

Yeah, that's gratuitous, but the overall quality of the game and the story telling is excellent.

Isn't it full of plot-holes?

 

[Vet2501]

Tell her that playing games increases your chances of being a surgeon. There was a study done recently here in the UK that showed gamers have better hand-eye co-ordination than non-gamers, therefore would do well in jobs that require fine motor control such as keyhole surgery.

 

[Naota_391]

Grand Theft Childhood. Buy it. Read it. Throw the book at her. You should win.

 

[Furious Styles]

Isn't it full of plot-holes?

Doesn't really matter, its a really well told story

 

[Ekonk]

Fun fact: you use your brain less when watching TV than when sleeping. This is not the case with games. All games require radical thinking, wether it is a quick change in priorities when suddenly under heavy fire, or the portal-esque puzzels.

Feed that to your dingo. I mean tell that to your mom.

 

[Naota_391]

Or play games in front of her that are particularly good at delivering story. Like Heavy Rain. Something really different from the rest of the crowd.

Also, if you're the type that can have a debate with your parents and you're just having a hard time trying to set up your argument, then I'd say take a good look at some of your favorite games, and pick them apart. Legitimately try to find some depth in the characters, story, and see gameplay. See what these games might be trying to accomplish as an art form. Then ask her to explain the significance of TV shows she watches. Or whatever her hobby is. Compare.

 

[Get_A_Grip_]

Make her watch Extra Credits!

I really can't think of anything better.

 

[GonzoGamer]

She'd rather have you watching a form of entertainment (TV) that is PROVEN to reduce critical thinking and decision-making skills and which is the fastest way to atrophy the brain vs. a form of entertainment that improves hand-eye coordination, rapid-fire decision making skills, and overall cognitive function?

Stupid parents in this world. Although you could really do a lot better than Halo. My mom encouraged my gaming habits when I was playing Aerobiz and Civilization and SimCity back in the early 90s.

Yes OP's story is an excellent example of why everyone should have to earn your respect; yes even your parents.

I think you have an excellent point there however. If OP is only playing FPSs(which are still better than vedging in front of the tv), she might have a very stunted perspective of games. Mix it up with a sim... Civ... or a rockband and she might wise up.Force her to challenge the stereotypes she perceives.
But if she's just some religious nut who thinks your soul is in danger because you like to shoot things in halo rather than hang out at the megachurch, you might just need to have her reprogrammed.

 

[Dana22]

Show her Bejeweled by Popcap. Thats all you need to do.

 

[Madara XIII]

My mom is dead set in scapegoating video-games for all my 'inadequacies' (no innuendo intended). She feels that all video games are useless and mind killing, even more so than television. She believe I have an 'addiction' which she has to cure, and my modest 10-hours-a-week playtime has been reduced to zero. I usually play Halo and I'm ecstatic about Reach. All my friends love it and we play together every night. Since they live far away it's a great way to spend time together and socialize. On the contrary, she sees it as antisocial and useless, so now my four-player Legendary runthrough is a three-man game and I'm stuck hearing stories of 'epic kills' the next day. How do I convince her it isn't killing my soul?

I suggest you show her a few episodes of Extra Credits, they basically sum it all up there.

and DAM man, i feel sorry for you a bit, especially that people believe video games to be a social stigma when in reality most gamers are some of the most social people out there and how alot of other outgoing persons as well are gamers.

 

[Woodsey]

Isn't it full of plot-holes?

Doesn't really matter, its a really well told story

That's bordering on an oxymoron.

 

[skennedy929]

Look, if you enjoy video games as much as I do then everyone else can go fuck themselves if they don't like it. It's your hobby and you can do whatever the hell you like with your own free time.

Jazz music was supposed to destroy the minds of the youth as was television. In my opinion video games usually provide a far more compelling and engaging experience than mostly anything on TV or movies for that matter.

Tell your mom that video games are no less a legitimate form of entertainment than comic books, television, or music. If she thinks that video games cause violent behavior then where the hell are all the murders that should be happening? The video game industry is the fastest growing form of entertainment in the world, so she is either going to have to get used to it or she can keep her ignorant opinions to herself.

Not dogging on your mom, but some people have really ridiculous ways of looking at the world. I'm not a book reader, don't have the attention span, but how much hate would I incur if I said books were gay and stupid? Why don't people realize that humans have found millions of ways to entertain themselves and no one way is more legitimate than the others?

 

[demoman_chaos]

I would recommend reasonably trying to convince her through the use of logic that your gaming has helped with your socialzation skills.
My dad says that games are bad, yet sits on his butt and watches tv. He says TV is better because it is real, a statement I find quite amusing considering he only watches crime dramas.

But some people can't be reasoned with, my dad being among them. They will have their own opinions and you can't change them (like people who think the katana is the best thing ever and can cut through a tank when in reality it is just a curved metal bar meant for whacking people). Just because they hear you, doesn't mean they are listening. At which point, give up trying to convince her and just go on about your gaming business regardless of her complaints. People who complain will always find something to complain about and will never be pleased. The moment you give into her demands is the moment she finds something else to bicker about.

 

[Wolfram23]

I think a problem here is that you're playing Halo.. so all she sees is you pointing a gun and killing shit. Probably not going to give the best impression. Try playing other games with her watching. I think it would be great to have her try Portal, and every time she fails (probably every level) you take over and beat it... pretty easy to see how much better your critical and analytical thinking is than hers.

But really, if she's so dead set, IMO maybe buy a handheld and play it in your room or else spend as much time away from the house as you can to game with friends. Have lots of sleep overs. Be very "social" and see if she likes you never being home lol.

You could also try explaining how you have some very good friends but due to logistics are unable to meet in person, and video games are the only way you can really interact and enjoy eachother's company.

 

[deadxero]

You cannont convince a person of something if they aren't willing to see any side but their own. Some people are closed minded to the point that even clear cut facts will not persuaded them. It sucks, but it's part of the human condition.