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Some good points Keith............though very 'Victor Meldrew-like'. !laugh!

Seriously though, as a PC gamer from time to time (I go through a week of playing avidly, and then months not bothering) I disagree that current games are 'childs' toys'. Lets remember that lots of modern games are pretty well thought out and involve problem solving whilst playing on emotions like fear, joy, achievement, apprehension, tension etc etc. All these emotions Shakespearian plays targeted.

You could argue that watching sport or soap operas are worse as you're just a voyeur while in a PC game you are involved in planning and problem solving to achieve an answer or ultimate goal.

If I spent 6 hours watching 'The Canterbury Tales' is that a waste of me practising my social skills? What about reading novels night after night? I enjoy 2 weeks a year -if possible- surfing in Cornwall. It's good exercise but it's not educational, nor increases problem solving.

I do agree that parents leave their children to play to many hours on such games, but the involvement that's required, it's better than vegetating on a sofa watching children's tv.

I'm currently playing a game called FEAR at the moment. Once finished I may spend that time reading a book (I'm popping to Waterstones tomorrow as a matter of fact as I've a few books in mind). I'll watch a play with my girlfriend -she hates them normally !happy!- if there's anything I like the sound of at the time, or we'll go watch a concert or something. Apart from the book reading -as I'm not into fiction- none of my other pastimes involve social skills or education. It's enjoyment and entertainment.

An excess of anything is always a bad thing though, and a sensible parent would encourage a child to have a broad spectrum of physical, educational and entertainment time.

Adults need entertaining too, and adult orientated games give that to some. If it brings out the child in someone for a few hours, that's not a bad thing is it?

Well, I count myself as fairly literate. I have a degree in English, if that means anything, and read several books a week. I am 50 years old and also enjoy computer gaming. If you think that all computer games do is give you a better hand to eye coordination then you haven't looked at any for a very long time. I don't have a Playstation 3 but I do have an Xbox 360 and I bought my gf a Nintendo Wii for her birthday.

I haven't read any Middle English since 1977 and don't intend reading more any time soon.

Id rather spend what ?400 i do have, on another Tv. Not that id get much with ?400 a decent Tv with HD Ready your looking at ?700.

My issue Keith, was not that you don't like computer games or find them childish or moronic. Its your choice and I happily accept your veiws on this - I said in my reply that I think you are wrong as I play playstation etc and consider myself neither childish or moronic, I have the right to defend myself and computer games on that
My real issue was though, was that we were discussing playstation 3 and the pros and cons of getting one from a gamers point of view, but you felt it nessecery to wade into the debate with your views on the matter and casually toss about a few insults (yes you may not have been talking directly about us, but I felt the "two grown men" comment was aimed at us as well)

I suspect you weren't born in the console generation, me I've always had one, an atari when I was about 5, then a nintendo and so on all my life - I've turned out ok, I have lots of friends that I converse with perfectly normally, I currently live in Australia and generally have a very good life - I still make time for computer games as they have always been part of my recreational life that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Come again Keith. I didnt quite catch that

768? You could have rounded it off to a 1000.