The question of whether adolescents turn to arcade video games for gratifications similar to those met by television viewing was investigated with 244 children 10 to 14 years old, who were attending a statewide summer sports camp. A questionnaire required subjects to rate the importance of 17 need statements and provide basic demographic information, details about their home viewing environment based on Medrich's "constant television household" index, and specific characteristics about their arcade video game activities. Subjects who indicated some arcade game playing were also asked to respond to a series of 27 statements about possible gratifications of arcade video game play. Results showed that adolescents play video games for many of the reasons they watch television and more. Games temporarily transport them from life's problems, provide a sense of personal involvement in the action, and are perceived, particularly by heavy users, as a source of companionship. Heavy users also more often rated the games higher than human friends on levels of excitement, ease of interaction, and fun, and believed that the games teach players about people. A 17-item reference list and 5 tables are included. (LMM)