Video Games in Education: an Analysis Beyond Prejudice

The use of video games has given rise to a long debate, involving cholars and public opinion. Those who look suspiciously at videogames advance medical, psychological and sociological explanations. Furthermore, video games would favor the development of an autistic dimension and of antisocial behaviours, especially in minors. The authors of the present essay believe that video games can significantly contribute to the strengthening of intellectual faculties and constitute an important learning opportunity. This would also be valid in the case of so-called violent video games, such as First Person Shooters and fighting games, which, by putting players in extreme situations and ethical dilemmas, can be rightly included in the best tradition of the coming-of-age story