Violent Video Games - Your Views

[Donkey]

Do you think that violent video games effect children's or adult's behaviour in real life?

I do, but only while they are playing the game. Violent games do not cause any long time effects after playing in my opinion, unless the person playing is not ready for the content shown and isn't mature enough to handle it.

Opinions?

[Camazotz]

From personal experiences, there is little that violent video games will do to one's behavior. I have noticed minor aggressiveness during play, but not as much after. Honestly, I don't think there are many negative effects of violent video games, although there are some.

[Aηdy]

I've played these so called 'violent' games since I was young. It sure didn't affect me lol.

I think that it's the way that kids are bought up that makes, or allows them to be violent. Then on top of that video games may give them ideas.

[justanotherguy93]

Are Fun

[Bougainvillea]

What about those 2 boys who played GTA and got guns?
AND shot at cars that were passing by in September 2003 near Newport, Tenn. Violent games OBVIOUSLY have an effect on people.

[Camazotz]

Are Fun

Please post constructive thoughts.

What about those 2 boys who played GTA and got guns?
AND shot at cars that were passing by in September 2003 near Newport, Tenn. Violent games OBVIOUSLY have an effect on people.

This does not prove that violent video games have an effect on all people. It only proves that some people cannot handle these types of games, which is why Grand Theft Auto is rated M for Mature, and must be at least 17 years old to purchase this game.

[Bougainvillea]

I understand that. But that was a turning point on the views on violent games. Such as GTA. It has some effect on SOME people. Even the smallest effects should be noticed.
And whoa, your picture looks like my principal.

[Sapphire]

The graphic violence can affect kids but I think that the environment has more influence over them.

[Koman]

I have been playing grand theft auto since i was 12. Along with dozens of other shooting games, and i have yet to shoot up my school or even think about something like that. Yes i agree that when im playing the game i get agressive and more violent, but in the game. Such as in gta, yea its fun and funny as hell to drive down the sidewall in a white car going about a buck twenty and smashing pedestrians left, right and over my car, all while their bodies crumble shooting blood on my car. Then stopping and admiring my handywork and doing it again, but i dont want to do it in real life.

[Reality]

I think it's a load of crap when people say videogames cause violence.

I've been playing violent videogames since I was 6, most of my all time favourite games are violent and have blood/sexual themes in them; the Metal Gear Solid series, Grand Theft Auto, Turok, 007 Goldeneye, Call of Duty, etc. And honestly, they didn't make me anymore violent than I was.

For example, I first played (and loved) GTA III when I was 10, but it didn't make me try to jack cars or beat up old people. :rolleyes: Maybe I had super intelligence (or was it common sense?), that a videogame =/= real-life.

I find it pathetic that teenagers and young adults, and sometimes even lawyers (Jack Thompson anyone? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Thompson_(attorney))) use videogame violence to scapegoat their crimes.

Ironically; these people are saying that children are affected by videogame violence, when all the cases I've heard have actually been from teens and adults.

Video games have age ratings for reasons (M for Mature in US/Canada, 18+ in UK/Europe, etc). Blame the parents who actually buy their kids violent games, and not the games or developers themselves.

[The Freed]

From personal experiences, there is little that violent video games will do to one's behavior. I have noticed minor aggressiveness during play, but not as much after.


Well said.

Most people who think violent video games = violent people are just looking for something to blame for a tragedy.

[INFERNO]

I'm somewhat uncertain on my views, as research such as Bandura's bobo doll does show that watching someone being aggressive to something (i.e. video game character) can lead the children to being more violent, I'm not convinced on this for video games.

I think that during gameplay it can increase aggressiveness, possibly also violence, I don't think it is common to increase it outside of immediate gameplay. The environment has to be taken into consideration, as does the person before they play the game.

Taking examples from past events gives a biased view as the mental state of the individuals, social and economic states, etc... need to be assessed.

Then again, the violent video games tend to have the higher ratings, such as M and such. So in theory, a child should not be able to buy it, unless the employee doesn't bother to think to check for I.D. or someone buys the kid that game. The ratings are there for that reason, to warn the viewers that it is not suitable for certain ages.

When people use such cases where videogames supposedly led to a child being violent after immediate gameplay, I tend to wonder if they've assessed the environment and the child. If so and if all turned out that the child was "normal" before playing, then it's a rare chance event. As the name indicates, it's rare for it to occur, so while it may occur in few, that does not mean that it will lead to violence outside of gameplay for all.

[Bougainvillea]

Well, you can admit that some kids like to re-enact what they see. I mean when you were little, didn't you pretend to do karate after you saw Bruce Lee? I know I did. (LOL) Some people tend to have that setting in their mind.

[Sapphire]

Well, you can admit that some kids like to re-enact what they see. I mean when you were little, didn't you pretend to do karate after you saw Bruce Lee? I know I did. (LOL) Some people tend to have that setting in their mind.
My mum stopped letting me and my brother from watching power rangers because she found us in the garden re-enacting one of the fight scenes. Lol

[Bougainvillea]

LOL
That's pretty funny :)

[Donkey]

What about those 2 boys who played GTA and got guns?
AND shot at cars that were passing by in September 2003 near Newport, Tenn. Violent games OBVIOUSLY have an effect on people.

Think of all the violent criminal activities that happen, then the few numbers of people involved in video games that do the same thing. Some people just blame GTA for what they do anyway.

Yes, inspiration may be taken from the game - but what's to stop them from taking inspiration like that from a movie?

The game isn't making them violent, they're making themselves violent.

[Church]

I played GTA when I was 10, doesnt mean I wanna go to my school with a uzi and waste everyone.

[vito22andolini]

no , not at all , thats just a bad-parent excuse to get a reason of why their kid is crazy .

i play violent games every day , anyway , the world is the most violent game ever

[notsure101]

Well as a kid in 2nd grade I played GTA and had no thoughts of stealing, shooting, or even raping, so no I don't think it effects kids in the long term

[Mzor203]

There was a period of time when my brother was incredibly violent quite a bit. Parents took away his computer priveleges for 3 months. That cured it, for then. He was younger then, and he's matured since then, but I think violent games can have an effect on certain people. (In fact, I KNOW since I've seen it). The emphasis goes on 'certain' here, however.

[Raize]

No it doesn't. The Media gets bored, needs a story, and then they turn something into a huge deal. If a kid was playing GTA, then decided to shoot people, the kid had problems to begin with. Blaming the game does nothing but take away fun for others.

As countless people have said before, I played violent video games as a child, and I'm pretty against violence irl. Kids re-enacting things, that's true, but it's just for play. They should know and be taught at an early age that things on TV, and in games, are not real.

I could go on and on and on about this. I wrote like a 15 page essay about it for english this year, but I think I've made my point :B

[Perseus]

All righty. Peopel jsut balme it on video games so they can get in less trobule. If video games make you violent, then why do I feel bad when I kill cops in GTA IV? I can barely wipe out a whole civilization in Civilization Revolution without feeling bad. Video games do not make violent, they(the convict) already want to kill before they play it, probally. They use that as an excuse to not get in as much trouble. And I agree with other people on the fact there are ratings for a reason.

[Reality]

All righty. Peopel jsut balme it on video games so they can get in less trobule. If video games make you violent, then why do I feel bad when I kill cops in GTA IV? I can barely wipe out a whole civilization in Civilization Revolution without feeling bad. Video games do not make violent, they(the convict) already want to kill before they play it, probally. They use that as an excuse to not get in as much trouble. And I agree with other people on the fact there are ratings for a reason.
lol you feel bad when you kill in a video game?

Strange. I usually enjoy killing in videogames. No harm in it, it doesn't make me any better/worse of a person. At the end of the day, what actually are videogame characters? A bunch of polygons.

Although for some reason.. I feel bad when I need to kill dogs in games, like in MGS and CoD.

And that's true. I've seen people (Journalists) blame the game Doom for the Columbine Massacre at that American high school because the two boys planned the attack by designing their own levels in the form of their school - that's not violence because of videogames, that was completely premeditated.

[Perseus]

I feel bad because I don't feel as though I have the right to take that cop's life. And then I start thinking about how his family will miss him. I think that's gone, though.

[Sugaree]

Do you think that violent video games effect children's or adult's behaviour in real life?

I a way, yes I do. Violent video games, even though they are entertainment, they can lead children into the impulse of copying the game. I never get why an 8 year old has any bussiness playing GTA or Saints Row, because I believe it's the parents fault. I didn't get my first 'T' rated game until I was 12. If children keep playing games like this, and if game companies continue to make them, then it's going to lead to a new generation of crime. If a child is playing a game like GTA and is deciding to act on the impulse of hitting someone or resorting to swearing, then it's simple that it's the parents fault and that is what it comes down to.

If an adult plays GTA and acts on the impulse to still a car or murder someone, then they should know better. Don't get me wrong, if you're an adult and playing video games, I'm not shunning you, but if you do act on the impulse of violence because you played a game depicting it, then you really need to sort out your priorities. In the case of young children, they don't know what they're doing. If a child hits someone or curses, then they must have learned it from somewhere (parents, games, TV, internet). Young children don't have a fully developed conscience, and don't understand if the ydo something wrong. Adults on the other hand do have one, and should know better if they commit a crime based off a violent video game.

[Origami]

Studies have proven that violent video games (this depends on the game) like Halo for example are more productive than previously thought. It teaches children strategy and helps with brain development. *shrugs*

[punkjake]

I've played these so called 'violent' games since I was young. It sure didn't affect me lol.

I think that it's the way that kids are bought up that makes, or allows them to be violent. Then on top of that video games may give them ideas.

I did to XD and no i don't think it does

[Sage]

Studies have proven that violent video games (this depends on the game) like Halo for example are more productive than previously thought. It teaches children strategy and helps with brain development. *shrugs*

Strategy? Have you ever played Halo? Most people start jumping up and down when they get shot. In real life, people run for cover. That's some brilliant strategy. *eyeroll*

But no, I'm just kidding. If people do look past the violence, videogames do have some slight educational merit. Especially with games that do require strategies. RPGs and RTS games come to mind off the bat, along with shooters and puzzle games, etc.

[Donkey]

Studies have proven that violent video games (this depends on the game) like Halo for example are more productive than previously thought. It teaches children strategy and helps with brain development. *shrugs*
Halo is the most non strategic fighting game I've ever played, but oh well.

Helps reaction times though..

[Requin]

I think violent games must do something to you. But I don't think it makes you go round the streets with knifes and guns and pretending your CJ from GTA, hangin with all ya homies etc.

People who do that do it becuase it comes from the gang culture that we've inherited from the past. Gangs and shit have always been a part of society sadly. BUT, if your stressed, going on a game and killing lots of stuff that ISN'T real I'd like to add, is good. It does relieve stress, but its not real.

Also, think about it, if people from the 80's and stuff played Pacman all the time, and they were influenced by that, they would be pacing up and down rooms all the time and listening to repetitive music.

Oh. :P

[Sapphire]

The literature on violent video games and their effects isn't conclusive.

Studies have proven that violent video games (this depends on the game) like Halo for example are more productive than previously thought. It teaches children strategy and helps with brain development. *shrugs*
I think you mean RPGs.

[Reality]

Halo just sucks. Period.

And, RPG's (like The Sims, which is an RPG in a way), RTS and tactical shooter games - like Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six/Ghost Recon are good for learning about strategy and decision making, although the latter are arguably only good at giving people what the real-life Army and Marines are like, in contrast to running all over the place shooting everything that lives.


I feel bad because I don't feel as though I have the right to take that cop's life. And then I start thinking about how his family will miss him. I think that's gone, though.
In a video-game...? lol. They don't even have virtual families in a video game.

The cops in GTA games are hardly ones to feel sorry for. They're even despicted as corrupt and violent assholes, like Officer Tenpenny in GTA: San Andreas.

[Perseus]

In a video-game...? lol. They don't even have virtual families in a video game.

The cops in GTA games are hardly ones to feel sorry for. They're even despicted as corrupt and violent assholes, like Officer Tenpenny in GTA: San Andreas.

I'm serious man, but I got over it. I still try not to kill them. I figured out that they're dead when there is blood beneath them in a puddle. But anyway, I just didn't like killing them. Know I just laugh at how stupid they are and how they fall off buildings when they get shot some times, lol. I just don't like killing, unless it's me killing my friends over Xbox LIVE on a game, then I feel no shame, or if the person is bad - i.e terroists in Rainbow Six Vegas 1 and 2.

[YourFriend]

Do you think that violent video games effect children's or adult's behaviour in real life?

I do, but only while they are playing the game. Violent games do not cause any long time effects after playing in my opinion, unless the person playing is not ready for the content shown and isn't mature enough to handle it.

Opinions?

Yes i agree, i play World of Warcraft and i sometimes answer to someone a bit harsh but thats when some1 annoys me and then every1 thinks its becouse of WoW, but its not, WoW isnt really such an agressive game at all.... Games dont affect my behaviour at all.....