A couch potato's sport: FIFA video games and friends

But then came the game that practically swooped the hearts of video game enthusiasts and amateur football players across the globe, and that game was the FIFA video game series. FIFA video games have become a cultural phenomenon and a symbolic representation of friendship between guys.    

Sure, the argument can be raised that a video game can never truly provide the experience that a real game with friends on the field can provide. So why do football fanatics prefer playing the video game despite the actual game?

Why the screen over the field?

"FIFA, for me, is the next best thing to a box of pizza. You share the equal amount of happiness with your friends and you can show them who the boss is! That is if you are good at it", smiled Faisal Rahman, a FIFA enthusiast. He does not play football out in the field but he is in Division 2 of the 10 divisions in the FIFA video game ranking. He believes that it is important to do what one truly feels comfortable with. However, he does not believe in isolating his social life. "It must be a great feeling to actually play in the field and win a trophy, but I was never the sporty kind. Hence, I never forced myself into it." FIFA games have given the opportunity for people to make memories and gather around their friends for a fun match. Whether you are a Messi or a Ronaldo fan, FIFA will make for an exciting gathering. "The sense of competition in the mutually favourable sport is something that makes me want to play it every time I am at a friend's place," says Tauhidur Rahman, the designated popcorn chef at every sleepover and a FIFA fanatic.

A note to the parents

While it is ideal to encourage children to play outside and socialising with other people, it is important to know that not all children are the same. It is never healthy to have your kids staring at a screen all day long either. At the end of the day, you would want the best for your children-- so why not let them have some scheduled game time?