Violence in Video games

[Zegovia]

"Videogames exist to enrich the crappy life we live in..."

Kids grow up with toy guns and action soldiers, watches tv shows with teenagers (or in my case, mutant turtles with an addiction to pizza) that fight crime and all such stuff... I grew up with that kind of stuff (as any other), but i didnt go psycho of it, my parents had me in a steady leach.. if i did anything wrong, i would get scolded....badly....

[Twistkill]

There was this same topic at MN. I guess I'll just copy and paste my reply here...

I think that the people who go on killing sprees are people who eventually stop realizing what the barrier between fantasy and reality is in games, not the games themselves. They play games like GTA or The Getaway too much and think that they can repeat the same thing without consequences, due to their own false judgment. Also, there's games that are ultra-violent but are in such a high level of fantasy and fiction that the acts of violence committed in the game aren't exactly easy to reenact in real life, such as God of War. Me, on the other hand, can easily look at some horribly violent or gory Flash animations or video games and actually be entertained by it, but blood or gore in movies like Saw or Saving Private Ryan make me squeamish due to the fact that the movies are much more real-looking with the special effects.

Do I think violent video games can influence people into thinking they can get away with the same thing? Yes, but only those who are too ignorant or get carried away to distinguish what the difference between real-life situations and basic entertainment is.

Also, a quote from Atilla in that same thread sums up the rest of this:

What studies I have seen show that violent video games have a lesser correlation with RL violence than violence on TV, in movies, or even in the media. As far as I'm aware, reports of people committing crimes in real life are more likely to produce copy-cat crimes than crime depicted in games. So no, violent video games do not cause violent behaviour. They may encourage violent behaviour in some people who are already at risk, but there are other factors which are far more significant.

[Mangled*]

Video games make an easy target for bull****ters.

Violence is a way of human nature. If video games were truely to blame then every person who played them would be violent, but since it's only a minority.. who clearly have serious psychological problems, or are just psychopaths.. I have no idea why video games get blamed for it.

Why not blame drugs and alcohol? why not blame bad parenting and mental health? Violent films? Well all of these are blamed from time to time..

It's proven that violence is directly linked to hormones, particularly testosterone... And also linked to personal life and circumstances.

Violent video games inhibit violent behaviour by providing an alternative to the real thing as much as they serve as an inspiration for it. Probably even more so.

Jack Thompson is just an attention wh*re. He doesn't genuinely think that video games are responsible for violence... but he makes money out of trying to make people believe they do... and for attempting to sue video games developers. And if he's unsuccessful... well he can simply sell his story to the media for thousands of dollars.

And he simply goes after easy and well known targets like Rockstar Games.. Hell, there are plenty of even more violent games out there than the GTA series.

[LtKillroy]

My view on this is "Did the video game make you shoot that man" if, somehow, an inamite object made someone kill someone, then yes mind control should be banned. But if it was his choice than there shouldn't even be a discussion. He chose to kill someone, not the game.

[dapaperboy]

the whole fucking of making violent video games is because if people do retarded shit like the VT (he actually did have an illness or something and or he was just very mentally ill) and pull "GTAs" on random people and cops then they will be hunted down, killed and pay people to rape then in jail. BUT  if people play halo and gears of war (or another alien shooter game where the aliens attacked us firest) then we shall make a mentally ill legion of alien killing psychos!

[ChromedGun]

Bad parents blame videogames when their little "angel" goes out on a rampage. "It's not our fault, It's not! It must be that kid across the street - no, that game that he nagged about! IT MUST BE SUPER MARIO THAT MAKES HIM KILL PEOPLE! YOU KILL PEOPLE IN MARIO! WE ARE GREAT PARENTS WE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING, WE DIDN'T KNOW!"


... I hate those parents. They probably played games instead of raising that **** rat.

[SDFilm]

I'm normally very much in support of violence in video games (hey, I play Soldat don't I?) but I think that 'Bully' game might be crossing the line. Your GTA character shooting innocent people is an extreme thing that only very disturbed/desperate people would do; but bullying is much more close to home and feasible. I guess it all depends on whether the child/teen sees the bully as their role-model in a game or simply a bad-ass character in a game. I think it's the parent's job to bring the child up so that child knows the difference.

[Chariot]

Parents need to stop letting video games babysit their children. Nothing can substitute for actual parenting.

[A]

I'm normally very much in support of violence in video games (hey, I play Soldat don't I?) but I think that 'Bully' game might be crossing the line. Your GTA character shooting innocent people is an extreme thing that only very disturbed/desperate people would do; but bullying is much more close to home and feasible. I guess it all depends on whether the child/teen sees the bully as their role-model in a game or simply a bad-ass character in a game. I think it's the parent's job to bring the child up so that child knows the difference.

Did you actually play Bully? The fights are all legitimate and fair and afterwards the winner helps up the loser. It's not like you go around throwing kids into trash cans or anything. Next time, before accusing a game of being inappropriate, make sure you play it first.

[SDFilm]

^ I havn't played it, and yes I should have played or read into it more; though I presumed by the name and from hereing other run-of-the-mill 'parents against violance' reports that you character is, a bully.

[a-4-year-old]

Parents need to stop letting video games babysit their children. Nothing can substitute for actual parenting.

this is the truth.

[A]

^ I havn't played it, and yes I should have played or read into it more; though I presumed by the name and from hereing other run-of-the-mill 'parents against violance' reports that you character is, a bully.

I understand where you're coming from. A game that's not as extreme as Carmageddon or GTA but still morally wrong could send mixed messages, but Chariot is right; just like movies, it's up to the parents to decide what their kids should be watching.

I really think this issue will solve itself in a decade or so. The current generation that tends to oppose video games will make way for a new generation that embraces them.

[blackdevil0742]

Parents need to stop letting video games babysit their children. Nothing can substitute for actual parenting.

Couldn't agree more. I've played video games since i four. I don't get affected by a games violence because my parents thought me that somethings are wrong to do. It's really up to them to make their children "sane". The games only have a triggering effect on some really fucked up people.

[NK Soldier]

For some odd reason.. I can play Counter-Strike.. It doesn't scare or frighten me, but when I play doom 3.. it scares the ****ing **** outta me. Why is this?

Anyway, they shouldn't ban violent games. If people kill themselves, because of a violent game; Thats his/her problem.


Its like in Mcdonalds, They make sure it taste good when it goes in your mouth. But when it goes down its your problem.

[PANZERCATWAGON]

Anyway, they shouldn't ban violent games. If people kill themselves, because of a violent game; Thats his/her problem.

It's not killing themselves that is the problem, it's killing other people. And yes that is a problem.

[NK Soldier]

I read an article about a chinese kid suiciding himself, because he was addicted to WoW..
I'll grab the article. Expect an edit.

[a-4-year-old]

For some odd reason.. I can play Counter-Strike.. It doesn't scare or frighten me, but when I play doom 3.. it scares the ****ing **** outta me. Why is this?

doom is supposed to scare you.

[PANZERCATWAGON]

I read an article about a chinese kid suiciding himself, because he was addicted to WoW..
I'll grab the article. Expect an edit.

Yes, but the main outcry about the violent videogame issue is over the fact that it can cause kids to turn violent themselves. People kill themselves over stuff everyday, it's not as shocking as murder.

[NK Soldier]

I read an article about a chinese kid suiciding himself, because he was addicted to WoW..
I'll grab the article. Expect an edit.

Yes, but the main outcry about the violent videogame issue is over the fact that it can cause kids to turn violent themselves. People kill themselves over stuff everyday, it's not as shocking as murder.

oh, your right. I'm assuming its the stuff in shooting games thats makes them want to murder? For instance, your playing a shooting game. You take out your pistol, then you see a Counter-Terrorist, and shoot him. So then he thinks he has the privilege   to run out in the street, buy himself a gun, and start shooting. Is this what your talking about?

[ThunderPantz]

I know this is a bit of a one sided debate on a forum devoted to a violent game, but this "issue" is starting to piss me off.

 Immediately after the VT shooting Jack Thompson and Dr. Phil decided to jump the e-gun and blame video games, lucky for the general public they were shut up by the evidence (or lack of it) the shooter had no games or any "addiction" to violent video games.

Jack Thompson files frivolous lawsuits trying to ban Rockstar from existing by disregarding the first amendment rights. He needs to be disbarred

Funny thing irony is:

"This is frankly once again just the Bar going off the deep end trying to use Bar rules to limit my First Amendment activism," Thompson said.

If it wasn't so damn fun to be violent then we would all be petting virtual bunnies in a magical forest of cuddles.

For this matter, what is world without violence? Nothing. A bunch of bullsht and bunnies frolicking in the forests.. not being shot at. Petting virtual bunnies in magical forests would suck. Violence is fun in video games
oh hell my stickykeys thing is acting up
oh well

but I literally think games should be more violent and you should be able to have a game where you can chop off peoples limbs with an axe or something but make it detailed and pinpoint the exact location of the chop

NOW THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING TO BITCH ABOUT

but really people should just shut up until it gets too brutal

but for me nothing is too brutal >