Introduction:

Good [morning/afternoon/evening], esteemed committee members, colleagues, and

guests. My name is [Your Name], and I am honored to present my research titled
"Understanding the Impact of Intense Video Gaming on Academic Performance Among
High School Students."

Objective:

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between intense
video gaming and academic performance among Filipino high school students, shedding
light on both the positive and negative effects of gaming on their educational
outcomes.

INTRO

In recent years, video games like Mobile Legends, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft
Auto San Andreas have skyrocketed in popularity among teenagers worldwide. Here at
Victory Elijah Christian College, these games are the top choices among students,
echoing a global trend of gaming culture permeating youth communities.

However, with this surge in popularity comes growing concerns about how intense
video game use might impact students' academic performance. There's a worry that
excessive gaming could detract from study time and hinder students' ability to
focus on their academic responsibilities.

According to statistics from Adair (2020), the prevalence of gaming among students
is staggering, with a significant portion dedicating extensive hours to gaming on a
weekly basis. This raises concerns about the potential consequences for academic
achievement, as excessive gaming may encroach upon time that could be spent on
studying and other educational activities.

Furthermore, colleges and universities, including Lyceum of the Philippines

University-Manila, have embraced eSports programs, indicating that gaming has
transcended its leisure activity status and become integrated into academic and
professional spheres.

Despite the benefits gaming can offer, overuse or misuse of gaming has been shown
to have adverse effects on academic achievement. Alarmingly, 48% of student gamers
are aware that excessive gaming can harm their studying efforts, highlighting the
need for further investigation into this issue.

Our study aims to delve into the complex relationship between intense video gaming
and academic performance among Victory Elijah Christian College students. By
examining gaming habits and their impact on students' grades, we hope to provide
valuable insights for educators, parents, and students themselves.

Background

Background of the study

Video games, particularly Mobile Legends, have become a significant part of leisure
activities for Filipino high school students. They offer immersive experiences,
strategic thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork opportunities, providing a way
for students to relax and socialize with friends, offering a stress-relieving
outlet.

The popularity of games like Mobile Legends is evident in the staggering number of
downloads and users, with over 1 billion downloads globally and more than 100
million users in the Philippines alone. However, concerns arise regarding excessive
gaming's impact on academic performance. Spending too much time gaming can lead to
decreased study hours, fatigue, difficulty focusing in class, and addiction.

Frameworks such as the General Aggression Model (GAM) and Cognitive Affective
Theory of Learning with Media (CATLM) help explain how intense video game exposure
negatively affects academic performance. GAM suggests that exposure to violent
media desensitizes individuals to real-life violence and increases aggressive
thoughts and behaviors. CATLM highlights how gaming influences thinking, emotions,
and learning, potentially impairing academic success.

Gender differences in gaming are also worth noting, with more boys playing than
girls. Existing research has predominantly focused on boys, leading to a lack of
understanding of how girls engage with video games. Gender inequalities and issues
like sexual abuse persist in the virtual gaming world, emphasizing the need for
more research on girls' gaming experiences to ensure inclusivity and understanding.

Theoretical Framework

Individual Characteristics: Personal traits like extraversion or introversion shape

gaming behavior. For instance, extraverts may prefer social gaming experiences,
while introverts lean towards solo gaming sessions.

Environmental Factors: Surrounding conditions greatly influence gaming habits.

Availability of gaming consoles or internet cafes impacts gaming frequency.
Additionally, peer influences within gaming communities shape adolescent gaming
behavior.

Internal States: Emotional and cognitive factors drive gaming decisions. For
example, gaming may serve as a coping mechanism for individuals experiencing stress
or anxiety. Those with strong self-regulation skills may better manage gaming
habits amidst academic responsibilities.

Assessment and Decision Making: Individuals' reactions to gaming situations

determine their actions. For instance, when faced with a challenging level in a
game, some may persist and strategize, while others may become frustrated and
disengage from the game entirely.

Behavioral Responses: Decisions made in gaming are influenced by various factors,

including the environment and emotional states. For instance, a player may choose
to cooperate with teammates during a challenging mission in a game like Mobile
Legends, demonstrating how behavioral responses are shaped by the gaming context
and individual emotions.

Scope and Delimitation

Student Demographics: Understanding the age and gender distribution of the student
population provides context for analyzing how different groups may be affected by
intense video game use.

Enrollment Status: Limiting the study to students currently enrolled at VECC

ensures that the findings are relevant to the college's academic environment and
policies.

Frequency and Duration of Gaming: Examining how often and for how long students
engage in intense video gaming sessions helps assess the extent of their gaming
habits.
Types of Video Games Played: Different types of video games may have varying
effects on academic performance and behavior. By identifying the specific games
preferred by students, we can explore these potential impacts.

Impact on Academic Performance, Behavior, and Study Habits: This aspect delves into
the consequences of intense video gaming, including its effects on students'
grades, classroom behavior, and study routines. Understanding these impacts is
crucial for informing educational practices and interventions.

FOREIGN LITERATURE

In recent years, the gaming industry has experienced significant growth,

transitioning from a niche hobby to a global phenomenon. Games like Mobile Legends
and Grand Theft Auto San Andreas have captivated the interest of high school
students globally, including those at Victory Elijah Christian College. This surge
in popularity has led to the emergence of diverse gaming platforms and online
networks, catering to the varied needs of gamers (Kashyap V, 2023). These platforms
include gaming networks like Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, media platforms
like YouTube and Twitch, and community forums like IGN and GameSpot.

Cloud gaming has emerged as a revolutionary concept in the gaming industry,

allowing players to stream games over the internet without the need for powerful
local hardware (Beal V, 2024). This technology has seen significant advancements,
making gaming more accessible and appealing to a broader audience. Major gaming
corporations like Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and Google have embraced cloud gaming
projects, signaling its transformative potential in the future of gaming.

Regarding educational benefits and drawbacks, there is a growing body of literature

exploring the effectiveness of serious games in education (Zhonggen, 2019). While
serious games hold promise for enhancing learning experiences, concerns persist
regarding the potential negative impacts of violent video games on academic
performance (Schmalen K et al, 2019). However, the effects of gaming on well-being
are not solely determined by the games themselves but are influenced by individual
motivations and characteristics (Heiden et al, 2019).

Psychological insights drawn from popular video games, such as Elder Scrolls V:
Skyrim and The Witcher, shed light on the importance of self-regulation and
personal growth in managing gaming habits effectively (Heiden et al, 2019).
Characters like Paarthurnax and Geralt of Rivia pose thought-provoking questions
about personal development and moral ambiguity, emphasizing the need for
individuals to make conscious choices and take responsibility for their actions.

In Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, players encounter Paarthurnax, a dragon who serves as a

pivotal character in the game's main questline. His quote, “What is better? To be
born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?” explores the
theme of personal development and overcoming challenges. Students facing challenges
in balancing their academic responsibilities with their leisure activities can draw
parallels to Paarthurnax's journey. Just as Paarthurnax highlights the importance
of self-regulation, students may need to exert effort to manage their gaming habits
effectively to maintain their academic performance.

Similarly, in The Witcher series, the protagonist Geralt of Rivia navigates a

morally complex world filled with choices and consequences. Geralt's quote, “Evil
is evil. Lesser, greater, middling, it's all the same. Proportions are negotiated,
boundaries blurred,” delves into the theme of moral ambiguity. While monsters in
the game may be depicted as inherently malevolent, humans have agency and can
consciously choose their actions. This distinction underscores the complexity of
morality and the importance of individual responsibility in determining one's
actions and alignment with good or evil. Such insights from video game narratives
offer valuable lessons on personal growth and decision-making, highlighting their
relevance to students' academic and personal lives.