泥中蟠龍's Game愛歌 [A love song for games of the dragon waiting for an opportunity] April 2018 inter-Korean summit and mother's apology

泥中蟠龍's Game愛歌

[A love song for games of the dragon waiting for an opportunity]

April 2018 inter-Korean summit and mother's apology

May. 17. 2018.

There was a historical inter-Korean summit in April this year. The summit meeting certainly has various meanings for both within and without the country, however, I'd like to talk about Kim Jong-un, supreme leader of North Korea, who is receiving positive reviews from the general public. Negative public perception of Kim had been high in the past until the summit talks. But the talk led the public to shift to more positive perceptions. You can easily find a sense of numbers in many related articles.

 Not long ago, I went back to elementary school days while talking to my mother. One of the many topics mentioned was why she forced me to stop playing games. I told her that I could have been more successful unless she forbade me to the arcade because I am the person in the gaming world at present. I expected her to answer that she regarded video games as a stumbling-block to scholastic achievement. Contrary to my expectation, she said " I'm sorry." Summing up, she explained that the young mother, who knew little about the game due to lack of experience, just relied on a parent's notice with negative opinions about the game. And she humbly apologized for her mistake reflecting on what she hadn't a good grasp of for wise advice for the child.

 Most people, who are involving in the development of a video game, are indulgent to their children playing games. Because they are well up in the games. On the other hand, a few set their face against the idea for the same reason. Both of them properly account for what the game is anyway. In any relationship including the parent-child relationship, it's really important to know much about a subject. Persuasion without setting clear criteria is fruitless because the other party notices it. Parents whose word is smooth-tongued but untrustworthy don't have authority over their boys and girls. Many fathers and mothers around me aren't knowledgeable about the video game. One of the most frequently asked questions from them is how to reduce the time of playing a game. I usually ask back why youngsters should spend less time enjoying gaming except that it takes time from their studies. And I add if they ever tried playing games. I advise parents to state their opinion on playing games when they are ready to support their argument with logical explanations. If a reckless father or mother just asks me the fastest way to stop a teenager from keep enjoying a video game, I answer that the video game addict—if the child is diagnosed with game addiction—can be treated at a gaming rehab center. And I respond to the angry mom or dad that I have no choice but to give an irresponsible answer for the very irresponsible parent.

There are many people with a negative perception of gaming. But, I think, most parents don't want to learn about it. Which is a tragedy because I am a video-game lover working in an industry associated with the video game. I expect people to have positive recognition of gaming content as if they have changed their perceptions of the North Korean leader.

※ This is from Kyunghyang Games column by 泥中蟠龍 since September 2013.

   (http://www.khgames.co.kr)

   Translation by Kim Ki-hui