Games like Grand Theft Auto 5, BioShock Infinite and The Last of Us have debuted in the past year and gained popularity among young adults and many Biola students. Video games like these have always come with a social and spiritual stigma, which raises the question: How should we, as Christians, view video games?

Should gaming time be regulated?

Kyle Yount, senior computer science major, is the creator and president of the new Super Smash Bros. gaming club on campus. The club centers around having a safe and enjoyable community for people to come together and play video games. Yount feels that the amount of time people spend playing video games should be regulated on a case-by-case basis.

“Daily doses of games are not a bad thing. I feel that they can be used after school every day to just wind down or even in between classes if you have the time,” Yount said.

He said self-control is vital while deciding how much time to spend on games. According to Yount, video games should not be used as an escape from responsibilities, but rather as a way to relax.

Ben Crellin, sophomore biblical studies major, agrees with Yount. He said as soon as people start neglecting their responsibilities for gaming, it turns into more of an obsession. He explained that, as with everything, moderation is key to keeping a healthy balance between games and responsibilities.

“It can definitely be a problem when you would rather spend time playing games than being in real life,” Crellin said.

The up-side to gaming

On the other hand, video games can be used to keep the mind occupied. Gabriel Hager, transfer freshman and president of the Dota 2 gaming club, feels that games, in a lot of ways, are better for students than TV and movies.

“I really love stories, and I think that video games bring a very unique aspect to storytelling because like a book, there’s a story written out for you, but then there’s also this element of choice,” Hager said.

Yount argues that video games actually improve critical thinking skills. According to DailyTech.com, research shows that video game players tend to take in information quickly and make snap decisions easier.

Crellin agree that video games prove to be more productive than most are willing to admit.

“You get to relax in the same way you might [while] watching TV, but I think that video games are more productive than watching TV because it engages your mind and lets you … work towards a fictional goal,” Crellin said.

Have caution, make community

As Christians, it is hard to decipher which movies to watch and which games to play without compromising our ideologies and commitment to Jesus. According to Yount, video games are just like any other form of entertainment and should be judged the same way movies and TV shows are.

“As Christians it’s not wrong to play video games. It’s kind of like those people who used to try to say Christians shouldn’t watch movies or drink soda … there’s nothing that really says that we shouldn’t. Video games can be a restful thing and a good pastime,” Crellin said.

Hager also referred back to Colossians 1:16 to argue that video games are included in the “all things” that God created for his good.

“A lot of times people look at video games, and they just see the negatives. … You could look at anything, you could look at movies or TV and say the exact same thing,” Hager said.

Hager continued to say that we need to see both sides of the argument. First, that we are in a fallen world and as a result sin has corrupted everything — including games. The other side is that video games can be a good way for students to unwind and grow in community with other gamers. His club tries to exemplify a wholesome and welcoming group of friends with a shared interest.

“What I wanted to get from the club is just to get people together to play these games in a community that isnt toxic,” Hager said

Crellin agrees that along with community, games can be a beneficial activity for the mind and body.

“As Christians we should see