Modern day storytelling and my affinty for it

My favorite thing to do is play videogames. For my 7th birthday my father purchased me a Sony Playstation. I was immediately smitten. Since the beginning of human existence there have been stories. Cave-paintings detailing hunts have been found from thousands of years ago. Storytelling has evolved to the point of gaming. Yes I play games so would argue have no emotional value like Madden Football 10 but I disagree. I have watched football since my days as a boy and will take my passion for it with me to the grave. I appreciate the value of competition and putting your body against another in the ultimate display of power. You can satisfy this by playing real life football as well as Madden. Playing a friendly and competitive game of Madden creates so much emotion. Heartbreak, triumph, suspense, anxiety, and anger are just a few of the feelings that people express through gaming. Gaming and storytelling are both ways to express emotions. Our human nature is to express our personality and react to others. The instant acquisition of feelings is what makes videogames and stories so enjoyable. Making a connection with yourself and the game you are playing is what makes videogames so moving. A book can engross someone so much they never wish to put it down until it is over. Games are the same way. They are addictive because we crave emotional reaction. It is what makes us human beings. Artwork such as the Mona Lisa or Sistine Chapel is so powerful that the image is implanted in our minds. My mind has been implanted with the stories of videogames. Some say that books are more powerful because it is your imagination that creates the character's appearance and settings. I recently have been enjoying the game series Mass Effect 1 and 2. The games are science fiction space operas like Star Trek and Orson Scott Card's Ender series. The story has a strong cinematic feel to it as exemplified in this trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFb4z6YHJqw). Many experts on gaming said the game is revolutionary because of the customization of the characters and dialogue system. The dialogue that your character has with others is determined by a pie chart. On the chart are various responses like "How can I help you?" and "get lost!" You choose an option but the line is not the actual line spoken by your in-game avatar. They say a line based on the thought you chose in effect making your thoughts determine the game. You can be a good-willed hero or a corrupt evildoer but the personality of your character is determined by you. Your imagination actually changes how the game is played by altering your character's abilities and the story Applying my creativity and imagination is an awesome feeling that I achieve by gaming and encourage people, whether they play games or not, to comment on their idea's and belief's on videogames. Also say what you believe games stand for. Stress relief, creativity output, competition, it is all up to you guys. Comment on your feelings.