lately video games have been under the radar for the thrilling challenges posed to players who in extreme cases even end up losing their lives the counter argument however is that a lot depends on the individual who is playing the game and taking up a challenge the persons reallife personality and preferences also influence the choices made in the virtual world in recent times theres been a dramatic increase in the number of deaths of teenagers owing to lifethreatening challenges like the blue whale challenge momo challenge and so on the reason for their deaths being absurd games has been throwing an interrogative spotlight on video gamers movies like 13 sins and nerve have also depicted video gamers who start off as amateurs to experience the thrill of simple tasks such as kissing a stranger in a downtown caf or killing a house fly and tragically end up in a trapped situation filled with dangerous acts like hanging on to a skyscraper or shooting an opponent these depictions portray their dilemma as they are compelled to complete their talks according to video gamers however individuals playing these games are equally responsible for themselves as games are not created with the intention of harming anyone kiran noojibail director of citybased gaming station league of extraordinary gamers lxg says the responsibility of not getting involved in lifethreatening games lies on those playing these games to take up a risky game challenge is an individuals choice parents need to keep an eye on what their kids are exposed to and the kinds of games they play they should only play games that are appropriate for their age citybased engineer sneha shailesh who also plays video games thinks that video games try to bridge the gap between the virtual and real world with no intention of harm dr shree devi assistant professor at national institute of mental health and neurosciences nimhans says the urge to take up gaming challenges begins as a curiosity triggered by social media or other such platforms it is not restricted to regular gamers alone people with a highly competitive personality who indulge in fights and combat stunts in real life are commonly found to play such games parents need to be vigilant and guide their children and seek help when necessary manisha bajaj