Do video games promote violent behavior and slothful addiction... are they a complete waste of time? Or are video games among the most powerful learning tools known to man, with the potential to teach and inspire millions of game players? In "Reset: Changing the Way We Look at Video Games," gaming journalist, bestselling author, and concerned parent Rusel DeMaria examines the pervasive myths and stereotypes about video games, turns them around and reveals another face: their potential to promote positive personal and social change. DeMaria delves deeply into the realities of the gaming world, analyzing both the business forces driving game development and the unique qualities that distinguish video games from any other form of popular media. Drawing on the latest learning research on play and learning, he explains that it is precisely these qualities -- a combination DeMaria calls video games' "magic edge" -- that make them such potentially powerful tools. Video games can teach and engage at the same time -- while not seeming to teach at all. He even offers a primer to help curious non-gamers begin to explore the gaming world and discover the hidden positive potential of video games for themselves.
