Are video games good news or bad news? And is it really as simple as all that? Over the years there has been a tremendous amount of discussion, or perhaps argument, between those who feel that computer games and video games are harming children's health, their imagination and potential, and those who feel that they have no more effect than the many other calls on children's time, and may even in some cases have some positive impact.

Certainly today there is a growing range of computer games and video games, and whilst many are still firmly rooted in the classic shoot 'em up model, there are many new games which are challenging some of the stereotypes to which people have become accustomed to seeing on the shelves.

Games that include ways to challenge your intelligence, video games designed to exercise your mind and increase your IQ, games that focus on problem solving and linguistic skills are all there, and proving to be every bit as popular as games designed purely to entertain, without any attempt to pretend to be educational.

There are many new games that are challenging some of the stereotypes that people have become accustomed to see on the shelves.