Violent Video Games: A Matter of Perspective
March 19, 2019
It’s undeniable that violent video games are a present factor for many teenagers in modern society, however, all the controversy behind these games leave many wondering if the benefits of playing violent video games outweigh the drawbacks.
While some argue that violent video games are provoking players to become more violent, a study from Oxford University suggests otherwise. Lead researcher of the study, Andrew Przybylski, said, “you do see things such as trash-talking, competitiveness and trolling in gaming communities”. However, while these behaviors are classified as anti-social, the study found no correlation between violent video games and real-life violence.
Trent Szydlowski (12) said, “I don’t think games like these would make someone more violent per se, but it does desensitize the players to the gore and horror of what war and fighting really is.” Adding onto his point, studies have proven that violent video games trigger emotional desensitization in players and as a result of this, the United States Military recommends soldiers to play violent video games such as ‘Call of Duty’ to prepare for combat or stay in a combative mindset while on leave.
Another main concern about violent video games is that they could get into the hands of kids not suitable to see such graphic media. Although, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is bringing light to the issue by stressing that video games are rated for a reason, and that is why you have to be a certain age to buy video games without a parents consent. Ryan Nicholas (9) emphasizes this point, “It says on the box it’s self that the game is violent and is for mature audiences”.
Even though there are lots of concerns regarding the effects of violent video games, the other side of this controversy is not as well represented. Some of the benefits brought by violent video games include the expansion of the brain’s cognitive ability and stress relief, as well as the enjoyment of the game. Szydlowski says, ”My big take away is the improved eye-hand coordination that it gives. having to memorize the keystrokes or what button does what on a controller and making the right movements takes a lot of skill and when you get really good, it makes a difference.”
Nicholas said that video games, “can improve reflexes, a case of this is the game DOOM 2016 which after playing honestly helped with my reaction speed.” Research done by Science Daily backs up these claims and suggests that the cognition of gamers was better than those of non-gamers by half a standard deviation, with further research suggesting that action games especially improved cognition.
While lots of people associate teenagers with video games, violent ones in particular, surprisingly only 32% of teenagers report one of their top three video games to be violent according to Pew Research Center.
With all the rising conflict and terrorism today, the main concerns from people are that violent video games, which decrease the moral sensitivity of players would cause more violence. Video game players, however, say that video games actually relieve stress. Nicholas said that video games are, “a stress reliever that you can sit down and play.”
Personally, I think that violent video games should be relieved from the negative connotation they seem to carry as they are proven to have no serious repercussions. After researching violent video games, I also found that the gamer side is extremely under-represented. There were many studies and articles with titles and messages such as, “Violent video games tie to real-life violence”, and studies which found that ‘Violent video games are not at bad for you as many think, however they are still bad’. With all this in mind, the controversy violent video games should be considered as a un-fully represented argument, rather than the assumption that the case against video games is superior.
What is your opinion on violent video games? Leave your comments down below!
Kyle Mantel • Mar 25, 2019 at 9:12 am
Personally, as a gamer who primarily plays Shooters and FPS games, I find that the argument is definitely biased. The original argument was brought on by peoples in order to have violent games banned, but it didn’t work. They are enjoyable and full of action, and that’s something that will always be present in games such as that.
As well as that, shooters are NOT in any way influential on human violence. I play Call of Duty, Battlefield, Warface, Ghost Recon, and other well-known shooters, and I am not just suddenly going to pick up a gun and start shooting people.
It’s because, in a game, we know who the bad guys are – an invading army, a corrupt government agency, a mercenary group wreaking havoc on a civilian population – just because we take these bad guys out in a video game doesn’t mean we are just suddenly going to pick up a gun and shoot our next-door neighbor through his window, or shoot our schoolmates in the back of the head.
Personally, I think they should just drop the entire argument. There is ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE that says that violent videogames lead to violent behavior. In fact, look at games like Friday 13th, which you literally play as Jason and murder a bunch of children in brutal ways. We’re not seeing any Jasons killing kids in campgrounds, so the argument that we FPS players will suddenly shoot up malls or schools is ridiculous and is not based on any judgment or logic at all.
Besides, in video games, you’re always shooting at BAD GUYS. I’m more likely gonna shoot a criminal than I am a police officer. Or I’m more likely gonna shoot a soldier from an invading country rather than the old woman crossing the street. There is no substantial proof for people who are anti-shooter games to fall back to, except the futile emotional argument that has no logical proof or evidence to back it up.