DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — — It's not all fun and games for high school graduates.

In fact, video games are something grads say they don't have time for anymore.

A group of students, 15 from both Kettering Fairmont and Chaminade-Julienne high schools, talked about video games during a roundtable discussion that covered a range of topics.

The discussion was one of several sponsored by the Dayton Daily News to hear the views of students from the Class of 2007.

Students said they've played popular video games such as Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero.

However, many said they don't play the games as much as they did when they were younger. What was an almost daily activity is now something they do a few hours a week, if at all.

Most said homework, jobs and extracurricular activities fill their free time.

Patrick Bell, 19, of Kettering Fairmont, said he used to play video games regularly, but now finds himself doing other tasks.

As for the Wii, the newest hot game system, Jon Hale said he has enjoyed it, although the repetitive movements took their toll.

"My arm was sore from playing tennis," said Hale, 18, of Fairmont.

The discussion turned more serious when the group discussed the theory that violent games can lead to violent children.

Justin Bale, 17, of Fairmont said children are more influenced by what goes on at home, rather than what video game they're playing.

Bale and others said that if a game's contents are perceived as too violent, then parents should be responsible and not allow children to play it.

The students said it's possible that they may take up video gaming again someday.

Alicia Budich, 18, of Fairmont, said a guy who is an intense gamer also might be an unappealing date.

Many in the group seemed to agree.

"If some guy was like 'You want to go on a date? We could play Guitar Hero,' and I'm 30, I'd be, like, 'No!,' " Budich said, laughing.

"That would be totally unacceptable."

Gaming trends

14 percent have sustained injuries while playing video games.

21 percent have played Dance Dance Revolution in the past month.

4.5 is the number of hours on average that the graduates play video games.

Sore thumbs, blisters and headaches were the most common injuries reported.