| The video game industry has reached | | | | themes in society, such as ethics, politics and |
| astronomical heights in the world market. Games | | | | even philosophy. It may be true that there are |
| like “Halo 3”, “Grand Theft Auto | | | | still many games that exploit fast-paced |
| 4” and “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the | | | | excitement generated by action for action’s |
| Patriots” are just a few of the titles that | | | | sake. But it can’t be denied that many games |
| have raked in millions of dollars of revenue that | | | | out there are actually an effective medium for |
| can compete with record breaking Hollywood | | | | communicating important and meaningful lessons |
| blockbusters such as “Spider Man 3” and | | | | the way books and movies do. |
| “The Dark Knight”. | | | | And indeed, the production values and story-telling |
| The success and popularity of the video game | | | | of a growing number of video games can rival |
| industry, however, doesn’t come without | | | | the best that Hollywood has to offer. It’s not |
| controversies. Because gaming consumes quite a | | | | surprising to see people in the movie industry get |
| lot of time among gamers, video games seem to | | | | involved with video game projects. For |
| get the blame for anything bad that happens | | | | instance, dramatic director Andy Serkis (Gollum in |
| among today’s youth. Whether a student | | | | “Lord of the Rings”) and film composer |
| suffers from a lack of people skills, decreasing | | | | Harry Gregson-Williams (“The Replacement |
| academic proficiency, or increased aggression, | | | | Killers”, “The Kingdom of Heaven”) |
| video games are often pegged as the culprit. | | | | have contributed their talents to some of the |
| Consequently, many parents and teachers have | | | | most popular games among children today |
| become even more worried about the future of | | | | Even established professionals in the |
| their children, and whether or not their kids will | | | | entertainment industry have realized and seized |
| grow up to be responsible adults. | | | | the vast opportunities present in the ever-growing |
| But video games aren't as evil or destructive as | | | | gaming industry. Colleges all over the country |
| they're usually thought to be. A child's passion for | | | | have also begun offering courses that arm |
| gaming may eventually lead to a very lucrative | | | | students with the necessary skills required for |
| career for him. Many people fail to realize that the | | | | penetrating the industry. Hence, schools like |
| gaming industry has improved vastly as a medium | | | | Westwood College, The Art Institute of |
| of entertainment. Beyond the crisp 3D | | | | Pittsburgh, and the University of Phoenix have |
| high-definition visuals or the heart pumping 5.1 | | | | specialized courses that cover the different fields |
| audio (7.1 in the case of “Metal Gear Solid | | | | in the gaming industry. Now, anyone can have the |
| 4”) features, more and more video games | | | | chance to take advantage of the opportunities |
| are becoming platforms for legitimate artistic | | | | that the video game industry can offer. |
| expression. Games like the “Heavenly | | | | For so many years, many people have splurged |
| Sword” and the “Metal Gear Solid” | | | | lots and lots of money for video games. Now, |
| franchise are just a few of the growing titles that | | | | you may just be able to make money by having |
| use the gaming medium to explore relevant | | | | a career in the video game industry. |