Good well rounded article
9/10

I enjoyed reading Grand Theft Childhood by Lawrence Kutner and Cheryl K. Olson published this year that seems to cover everything already mentioned within this report but on a broader and more objective scale.

Seems the authors of this study should have taken note of what was mentioned within that book.

Look forward to their talk in Montreal.

Whether or not this story relevant to the actual outcome of events is certainly debatable it does though lead onto to a topic that appears to be how shall we say "conveniantly dismissed" by the entire industry and gamers as it would obviously have serious consequences if certain matters were proved scientifically just as the tobacco industry fought tooth and nail to silence any link between smoking and lung cancer.

What is not up for discussion now is the psychological mechanisms that underpin engaging in a videogame.

Anecdotal evidence of ones long term individual's experiences playing games means nothing from both sides of the fence. Whether or not games can and in effect do have specific qualities to alter psychological states is not really up for discussion any more. They do.

There is certainly still questions regarding if it is just specific types of personality who are more susceptible to become addicted to games, just as in previous generations, smoking, drinking or gambling were considered vices and also what the long term consequences of being immersed in what is essentially a virtual facade of reality can do to certain people.

It amazes me that the entire community be it both professional or elsewhere returns to the same retorts that are equally as ignorant when stories of these ilk with more substance than this emerge. Perhaps instead of raising their arms up in despair at the so called "incomprehension of outsiders" and trotting out the same cliches in response actually coming up with some reasons or explanations that hold validity may actually be more productive

It would be nice to see a magazine of Edge's stature tackle such issues with an objective eye. Having seen Baroness Greenfield speak in person and knowing her to be a incredibly intelligent woman instead of dismissing her views and opinions as was done on this site on a very similar theme interviewing her for a forthcoming feature would lead to some honest debate on this matter that many gamers would rather ignore for their own peace of mind, sense of security and place in the world.

Just a thought