Gameology: Commentary and Resources for the Game Studies Community

I would view gaming as being in competition with television. It's difficult to concentrate on both at the same time, if the game is particularly intense. The broadcasting companies are, therefore, in danger of losing viewers, if they were to show gaming in such a way as to entice people away to play them. It would make good business sense for them to not advertize such things then.

Most sports are not in the same category, as games, such as football, only last 90 minutes. The rest of the day can be spent in front of the television.

I know that in our family, five people will be sitting passively watching the television, while three of us will be spending our evenings actively engrossed in Runescape instead. The general view is that we're the ones who will end up ruining our brains. The trouble is that television is one of the major leaders in forming public opinion about things, so if there aren't programmes supporting gaming, then much of society isn't going to support it either.

Vicious circle ensues back to my first point.

Interesting question and great thread pooling thoughts about this.