Issue Date: 12/7/09
Video games and violence: Blame the Game Companies
By Nigel Harris
With video games becoming more mainstream and more widely acceptable, it is at this time that we should be advocating a reexamination of the content that is put in to video games.
I won't say that I have never enjoyed a violent game, because that would be a lie, but what I will say is that the amount of violence in games has gotten a little out of hand. Let's take an example in Sony's up and coming "God of War III" where players control Kratos, who is seeking vengeance against the gods for taking his wife and child. In "God of War," players eviscerate even the lowest form of enemy. Not only do you brutally kill these enemies, there are a variety of ways to do it.
Is there really a need for all of this? While it has its place as a form of entertainment there should be stricter requirements and punishments for putting these games into the hands of minors.
According to an article published by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry about television viewing, "Young children are impressionable and may assume that what they see on television is typical, safe and acceptable. As a result, television also exposes children to behaviors and attitudes that may be overwhelming and difficult to understand."
This can also be related to video games in that, children who play violent and suggestive video games are susceptible to misinterpret what they are seeing as socially normal.
Maybe not every child who picks up a controller to play a violent video game is going to act out in violent ways, but why would anyone want to take that risk?
This is not limited to children, however. An April 2000 study by the American Psychological Association found that violent video games tended to increase violent behaviors in college students and violent games could be more dangerous due to the engaging nature of video games.
Lots of games' protagonists are anti-heroes who are, in actuality, criminals in all definitions of the word. Games like the "Grand Theft Auto" and the "Saints Row" series encourage players to run away from law enforcement and make it easy at that.
I won't say that I have never enjoyed a violent game, because that would be a lie, but what I will say is that the amount of violence in games has gotten a little out of hand. Let's take an example in Sony's up and coming "God of War III" where players control Kratos, who is seeking vengeance against the gods for taking his wife and child. In "God of War," players eviscerate even the lowest form of enemy. Not only do you brutally kill these enemies, there are a variety of ways to do it.
Is there really a need for all of this? While it has its place as a form of entertainment there should be stricter requirements and punishments for putting these games into the hands of minors.
According to an article published by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry about television viewing, "Young children are impressionable and may assume that what they see on television is typical, safe and acceptable. As a result, television also exposes children to behaviors and attitudes that may be overwhelming and difficult to understand."
This can also be related to video games in that, children who play violent and suggestive video games are susceptible to misinterpret what they are seeing as socially normal.
Maybe not every child who picks up a controller to play a violent video game is going to act out in violent ways, but why would anyone want to take that risk?
This is not limited to children, however. An April 2000 study by the American Psychological Association found that violent video games tended to increase violent behaviors in college students and violent games could be more dangerous due to the engaging nature of video games.
Lots of games' protagonists are anti-heroes who are, in actuality, criminals in all definitions of the word. Games like the "Grand Theft Auto" and the "Saints Row" series encourage players to run away from law enforcement and make it easy at that.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Flash Game Reviews
posted 2/18/10 @ 4:34 PM PST
This debate has gone on for so long. I mean when are they going to let go that the violence in video games is what truly attracts customers to buy it. (Continued…)
Worlds Hardest Game
posted 4/23/10 @ 11:37 AM PST
I would blame the game companies any day, this is just ridiculous, the fact that they are making so many violent games.
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