‘Counterstrike’, ‘World of Warcraft’, and similar games are causing some Saudis to worry about the influence of computer games. Nothing much new here, as this is a refrain heard around the world. This Saudi Gazette piece finds all the sources to condemn the games, but apparently hasn’t found those that support it. I suspect that in addition to the generalized concern of parents over what their kids are doing, there’s a strong element of worry that it’s another manifestation of Western culture seeping into Saudi life.

Net Gaming Harming Makkah Children
Khadija Mesha’l

MAKKAH – Internet cafes have become the staple pastime for young people in Makkah replacing almost all the usual activities which existed before internet gaming stole the spotlight.

Makkah has systematically had very few places for young people to enjoy themselves. Sultan Al-Masoudi, 21, said he would have to leave the city in order to enjoy himself.

“In the past, I used to go with my friends to places out of Makkah to play football but now network games takes all the free time I have” he said.

Thamer Ahmad owns one such café and says his regular patrons are not limited to one specific age demographic.

“My customers range from children to adults, sometimes younger children are brought by someone older and they in turn become interested in the games,” Ahmad said

In recent months internet gaming has expanded; starting from a weekend event to now becoming part of the everyday routine. Fouzan Attiah, 20, a frequent internet café patron says he needs to call before he arrives to reserve a spot.

Despite the surge of interested gamers, not everyone welcomes the idea. Parents have grown concerned about the side-effects hours of gameplay have on their children.

Umm Suliman, 45, a mother of four worries about her 13 year old son’s performance at school when he is not at the gaming café.

“My son is addicted to internet gaming and it’s started to impact him at school,” she said. “Not only has it affected his concentration at school but I worry about his health, his eyes are always red when he comes back from the internet cafe.”

Many game developers now, cater their products to having an expanded life in the internet gaming arena. Some games, like World of Warcraft are based entirely on internet gaming playability.
A favorite for the Makkah gamers is Counterstrike. Players are placed on two separate teams and fight each other using an array of weapons. The team-based combat pits a terrorist team and a counterterrorist team against each other with different objectives for each.
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