Q&A
Five things you always wanted to know about video games.
by The Game Doctor
[Appeared in the May 1988 issue of "ANALOG Computing"]
 
        Video games are back, and with them come questions. Old questions, new 
questions; everybody has questions. These are five of the most frequently 
asked video game queries and, just for the heck of it, answers are included.

        Q: Are video games addictive?
        A: Video games are not "addictive." Vulnerable people are apt to 
become emotionally dependent on a wide range of enjoyable experiences. Movies, 
comic books, TV and sports have all, at various times, been vilified as 
"addictive." because of the compulsive behavior exhibited by their devotees. 
Video games, which provide high levels of stimulation, feedback and 
interaction, are an especially attractive form of entertainment for those 
seeking escape from conventional reality.
        Video games should be enjoyed as a component in a balanced lifestyle. 
It should be remembered, however, that the child who spends a great deal of 
time playing video games is at least engaging in an interactive activity, and 
not passively vegetating in front of a TV set.

        Q: Are video games detrimental to your health?
        A: A plethora of physical ills have been ascribed to video games, but 
no evidence exists to support any of these theories. Staring for hours at a 
large, brightly colored video display probably won't improve anyone's vision, 
but it doesn't appear to be harmful, either. Remember, even folks who spend 
their entire working day in front of a VDT do not qualify for "hazardous 
duty" benefits.
        The one area where personal experience indicates that gaming can 
cause physical pain regards joystick controllers. A controller that doesn't 
fit comfortably in one's hand can cause cramps and circulation problems.
  
        Q: Do video games hurt TVs?
        A: This largely mythical notion stems from the fact that some of the 
earliest Pong-type home game systems did, in fact, leave "scars" on TV tubes.
        Games which featured fixed white areas (like the perforated "net," 
which ran vertically down the center of most early game screens) often burned 
themselves into the picture tube, leaving an imprint that remained, even when 
the game was switched off.
        Since those primitive times, game systems routinely employ 
color-switching technology to eliminate this problem. 
        Large-screen TVs, however, sometimes have systems not compatible with 
video games, so always consult the manufacturer before wiring a video game 
system to such a set.

        Q: Are video game cartridges interchangeable among systems?
        A: Alas, no. Although the Atari 7800 also plays 2600-format games, 
video game software is definitely non-compatible. Any potential damage is 
headed off, however, by the individual design of the cartridge casings, which 
do not permit even accidental mis-insertion.

        Q: Which video game system is the best?
        A: The answer to this one is simple: what are you looking for in a 
video game system?
        In terms of cost, the three major systems (Atari 7800, NES, Sega) are 
all pretty similar. The Atari, by virtue of its 2600 compatibility, has the 
largest library of available software, but its 7800 catalog is still rather 
light on titles. The NES has plenty of available software. Nintendo alone 
will produce thirty-six titles this year, while third-party developers--like 
Activision, Konami, CapCom, Data East and Absolute Entertainment--will 
produce another thirty-six. Sega, meanwhile, is still the new kid on the 
block, with only twenty-four cartridges available, but more promised.  
        The 7800 is strongest in arcade shoot-'em-ups, with its knockout 
versions of Joust, Robotron:2084 and of Pole Position II. Better still, any 
Atari-compatible joystick will work with this system, providing a selection 
of controllers at a range of price points.
        The NES is strong in several areas, enabling the system to handle 
medium-action arcade games (Super Mario Bros.), sports (Baseball, Tennis), 
and even fairly sophisticated action-adventures (The Legend of Zelda)--with 
equal facility. The NES also boasts a cornucopia of peripherals, from the 
dubious game-playing robot to a light gun (the Zapper).
        The Sega System has the most sizzle of the big three. It is sleekly 
styled, as are the peripherals. (Nintendo's Zapper looks like something Dirty 
Harry would be comfortable with, while Sega's Light phaser would seem more at 
home tucked through Han Solo's waistband.) It also boasts the most eye-popping 
graphics, a first-rate library (Choplifter, TransBot, Wrestling, Rambo, etc.) 
and a hot 3-D peripheral.
        Sega has also upped the ante in the memory sweepstakes with its new 
2-meg carts, and seems determined to go head-to-head with Nintendo.
        In other words, each system has its own strengths; viability is 
determined solely by the needs of the consumer. 

[Scanned and edited by Dennis Brown -- dgbrown (at) pixesthesia (dot) com]