At the risk of losing all credibility, I’m about to argue that video games in general and Wii in particular can be part of the Marketing for Good movement. If you are one who believes that all video games are bad and encourage endless hours of sedentary behavior not to mention senseless violence then you’ll want to stop reading now. And oh by the way, I have a 14 year-old son who would spend endless hours playing video games if we didn’t police his screen time. Fortunately we do so he doesn’t. So back to how video games and Wii can be forces of MFG. Video games in general are the red wine of kids entertainment. In excess they can screw up your life. In moderation they can actually be good for you. On a side note, video games have been linked with developing stronger passion for mathematics and computers in boys versus girls who don’t tend to play these games as much. My son and I play some of his video games together which gives us a little quality time and provides me a little glimpse into his passions which we talk about long after the off button is pushed. Again, I must emphasize at this point that parents have to pay attention to kids screen time and “just say no” when the hours devoted to video games start to accelerate.
Now on to Wii and why I have identified it as an example of a MFG product enhancement. For those of you who aren’t in tune with the gaming world, Wii (pronounced We) is the “gotta have” game machine of Xmas 2006. The reason for all the buzz is that this gaming system includes a motion-sensor activated remote that allows players to physically interact with the screen. Unlike all other the popular gaming systems like XBOX 360 and Playstation 3 which have a complex button- driven control system, Wii allows you to virtually kick, box, bowl, swing, slash and yes, fire a gun with the motion of your hand. Suddenly gamers are off the couch and serving up aces like Roger Federer, boxing like Mohammed Ali and driving golf balls like Tiger Woods. If you think I am over-stating the amount of physical activity, take a peak at an article from yesterday’s New York Post called “Smash vid game gives players a beating.” The article notes that “cracked television screens, smashed dishes, broken ceiling fans and black eyes are all documented on WiiHaveAProblem.com.” No doubt thousands of other users are have fun without causing damage to their furniture or companions. While I don’t propose Wii as the solution to Childhood Obesity, it is a step in the right direction and is but one of many ways to get them off the couch. In sum, it is a Wii bit better.