Violence in Video Games

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A_Wanderer

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I Just got my Doom III (1337 :up: , game is freakin sweet, runs smoothly on my system and will definitely be a regular at my lans) preorder delivered to my door and it is bloody awesome. The storyline is just like that John Carpenter movie Ghosts of Mars and the graphics are beautiful, all the DX 9 features have been integrated seamlessly, Carmack is a freakimg God. If you are a gamer buy this game and support id.

I thought that it may be a good time ask peoples opinion of violence in video games and censorship of such violence.

I am of the opinion that theres simply not enough violence in the games themselves, or its too cartoony like a shlock horror movie. I want to see realistic style like Soldier of Fortune mixed with Rainbow 6 where single bullets do kill and their effects are graphic, smart FPS/RPG games like SS2 or Deus Ex. Maybe in a Mafia type game where it would add to the "gritty realism" of it. Its irresponsible too to blame violence in the media and video for violence in society, Sick individuals will commit sick things and they cannot be blamed on any single influence, this crazy regulation just makes crappy patched games with green blood and no cool content(thinking of the modified games in Germany, Wall Mart and unfortunately a few here in Australia.
 
A_Wanderer said:

I thought that it may be a good time ask peoples opinion of violence in video games and censorship of such violence.

I am of the opinion that theres simply not enough violence in the games themselves, or its too cartoony like a shlock horror movie. I want to see realistic style like Soldier of Fortune mixed with Rainbow 6 where single bullets do kill and their effects are graphic, smart FPS/RPG games like SS2 or Deus Ex. Maybe in a Mafia type game where it would add to the "gritty realism" of it. Its irresponsible too to blame violence in the media and video for violence in society, Sick individuals will commit sick things and they cannot be blamed on any single influence, this crazy regulation just makes crappy patched games with green blood and no cool content(thinking of the modified games in Germany, Wall Mart and unfortunately a few here in Australia.

More violence?... not me but then again I'm not really into video games such as that. I do believe there needs to be age levels. But as far as the actual violence in games, I don't think video games provoke anyone to do anything, but I believe that there can be a certain desensitization that goes on for some.
 
I'd love to know if there have been any extensive studies done into criminals and their movie and video game habits, and the results of any such study.
 
:up: Doom III is awesome, and I think we'll see this game set a new standard for the gaming world - much like the first Dooms and Quakes set (thank you id Entertainment!) thereby allowing other gaming companies to follow suit by using the Doom/Quake engines. I've had to fight the husband over the computer. He wins though, he bought the game, and I will just sit (im)patiently for him to get his fill so I can play. Right now, I'm a Doom widow!

OK, enough pimping of Doom III. ;)

It may sound strange to some people, but I find games like this to be a good stress reliever. But that's just me, and I may be a bit strange like that. It flows like an interactive movie where one can completely immerse themselves into a fantasy world. I think in moderate doses, gaming can be a healthy outlet for some people. Like most other things in this world, moderation is the key, and it really does depend on the individual. Some people who have addictive personalities, and those who blur the lines between fantasy and reality, are the ones we hear about in the media. I think it is fair to say that excessive playing of certain games can have an impact on a person, personality-wise. Remember when Everquest was all the rage and we heard about all the horror stories - suicides, divorces, people quitting their jobs. And with Columbine, Doom 2 was mentioned as just one of the motivators behind the killings, amongst other things like Natural Born Killers and Marilyn Manson, and the bullies at school.

Here in the States, the games are rated much like films are rated, or even music. I agree with A-Wanderer. There will always be sick people out there who commit atrocities, with or without video games in their lives. People will always want to have an answer to why such a person would do these things, so the blame is put on the easiest, softest targets - music, movies, video games. To be fair, and having seen and interacted wtih video games of a graphic nature for quite a while, I will readily admit that some videogames like Doom III are not suitable for people under a certain age. I certainly wouldn't let my young son even see Doom III, let alone play it.

Somewhere along the line, people ought to take responsibility for their own actions. There are people swayed by outside factors, but a game or a movie or lyrics in a song don't hold a gun to anyone's head and force them to do anything. Retailers should not sell graphic games to kids, much like movie theaters don't let kids in to see certain movies, and some retailers don't sell kids music that has the explicit content tag on the cd. And somewhere along the line, parents need to know what their children are up to. It's idealistic, yet so simple. If people are willing to own up to those responsibilities.

Wow, I didn't mean to type so much!
 
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Angela Harlem said:
I'd love to know if there have been any extensive studies done into criminals and their movie and video game habits, and the results of any such study.

I don't have any studies, but I remember hearing an expert discussing a school shooting incident a couple years back. Strangely, the student who had no formal gun training calmly fired single "head" shots at his classmates.

Turns out, this was exactly the form of game play he learned in one of the videogames he played.


Is there a direct "if-then" relationship between violent video games and violent behavior? Unlikely.

But consider that the time spent playing such games means less time for real interpersonal relationships and a desensitization to the value of human life, pain or suffering.
 
Angela Harlem said:
I'd love to know if there have been any extensive studies done into criminals and their movie and video game habits, and the results of any such study.

i am curious whether individuals, principally children, who have undergone media awareness training would hold a 'more' realistic perspective on video game/movie/tv violence.

when discussing issues such as this, one must remember that technologic deterministic perspectives, such as 'video game violence results in real violence', have rarely, if ever been verified though they are oft cited in the press.
 
Where I live there was a huge uproar about that Grand Theft Auto game, most stores pulled it b/c some kids had been playing it all day, got trashed, and literally drove over a person (their first victim got away w/out being crushed) and then went back and beat the guy to death just for kicks. Now, I realize the fault lies solely with the parents for letting their kids get smashed at home, etc, but I don't see any good reason to include such violence in a game. You can't tell me that those kids would've tried to drive over people if they has never played that game. Obviously we know where the idea came from. When a policeman or reporter, don't remember which, went to the house, there was a 4 year old boy playing the game.

I honestly think it's just a dumb waste of time. If we put as much effort into a community-building activity as we did in disgusting games, I think we'd all feel better about ourselves and the world we live in. My bf likes to play war-like games and I often wonder what anyone who's ever been in serious combat would think. Maybe someone here can enlighten me on this perspective...
 
LivLuvAndBootlegMusic said:
Where I live there was a huge uproar about that Grand Theft Auto game, most stores pulled it b/c some kids had been playing it all day, got trashed, and literally drove over a person (their first victim got away w/out being crushed) and then went back and beat the guy to death just for kicks. Now, I realize the fault lies solely with the parents for letting their kids get smashed at home, etc, but I don't see any good reason to include such violence in a game. You can't tell me that those kids would've tried to drive over people if they has never played that game. Obviously we know where the idea came from.

That's an enormous assumption. Who's to say that they wouldn't have done that without the game? Granted, playing it may have given them some ideas, but that doesn't excuse this important fact:

Their parents are to blame.

No parent in the world should be letting their kids get drunk and go out driving. Or letting 4 year-olds play GTA.

People need to stop blaming the video games or TV as soon as something bad happens. What's worse is parents who say that their kid was corrupted by the game and went out and killed a classmate. The game is not the root cause of a child killing someone. The parent is the root cause for letting the child play the game DESPITE CLEAR WARNINGS that the game is not for anyone under the age of 18! Turn that finger square around at yourself.

I'm not saying that games are 100% absolved of all blame in anything, but parents are the main causes of this for allowing their children to do these things. And even still, if someone under 18 is mature enough to understand that the game is just fantasy and that it is totally contained within a fantasy world, and the parent has a discussion with them in regards to the game and such, then I don't see a problem.

I bought GTA3 when I was 16. My parents sat me down and discussed it with me and we determined that I could continue to play it provided I was fully aware that what occurs on the TV stays on the TV and that I was mature enough to realize that that was just fantasy. I've been playing GTA now for 3 years, and here is a list of crimes I've committed:

- Shoplifting a t-shirt from Sears
- Taking a chocolate bar from the convenience store
- Smoking weed
- Drinking underage
- Looking at porn underage

Absolutely none of which are depicted in GTA.

PARENTING, dammit. What is happening to it?!?
 
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Dave, I agree, and I also said before that the blame should rest solely on the parents. All I'm saying is that I see no good reason to have such violence in a game. I just don't get it.

And I can't believe they would've stolen a car and tried to run over two pedestrians, killing one of them, if they'd never heard of Grand Theft Auto. Sure, they probably would've done something criminal, but they copied the game and everyone including themselves knows it.
 
They blame it on a song if someone shoots a cop
I wonder what music they listen to when they bombed Iraq





Disclaimer: I don't mention it for the specifity of Iraq, but merely as pointing to a general trend in society where some specific crimes are blamed on entertainment influence (songs, movies, games), while most of society's faults are committed by people not even listening/watching those so-called 'blameable' entertainment sources. And yes, I know my disclaimer is a factor somewhat longer than my original comment. :wink:
 
Consider the following:

1. Violent video games affect adults as well as children.

2. It is probably more difficult for a child to get access to a violent video game than it is for a couple of irresponsible adults to have a child.

3. There is a doctrine called "attractive nuisance".
 
Everytime you do something your Brain learns. You can't stop your Brain from doing that, all you can do is change the environment so your brain can learn positive things.
I don't think that Killing as an solution for problems is a thing my brain should learn.
 
adam's_mistress said:
There will always be sick people out there who commit atrocities, with or without video games in their lives. People will always want to have an answer to why such a person would do these things, so the blame is put on the easiest, softest targets - music, movies, video games.

Originally posted by adam's_mistress
Somewhere along the line, people ought to take responsibility for their own actions. There are people swayed by outside factors, but a game or a movie or lyrics in a song don't hold a gun to anyone's head and force them to do anything. Retailers should not sell graphic games to kids, much like movie theaters don't let kids in to see certain movies, and some retailers don't sell kids music that has the explicit content tag on the cd. And somewhere along the line, parents need to know what their children are up to. It's idealistic, yet so simple. If people are willing to own up to those responsibilities.

These parts in particular I agree with wholeheartedly.

I know I've played a few violent video games in my lifetime, and I have never had any desire to go kill anybody. Nor have I been desensitized to it, either-every time I see something particularly graphic on TV now, I still turn my head, just 'cause it's disturbing and sad. At least the video game is just that-a video game. Nobody actually dies.

One thing that's always really bugged me about this kind of thing-okay, so let's say this stuff is directly responsible for people going out and committing various crimes. Why, then, do people always assume only kids would be dumb enough to go kill somebody after playing a video game? Adults can be and have been just as easily influenced by various things, but I never hear anyone saying that people like Timothy McVeigh were influenced by what games they played or what music they listened to or what movies they saw. No, apparently only kids are influenced...and that's just not true.

Angela
 
I do not believe any game causes kids to be ways they weren't already. The game may bring it out but so would something else. Kids were mean and destructive before there were games or even TV shows.
 
kobayashi said:


i am curious whether individuals, principally children, who have undergone media awareness training would hold a 'more' realistic perspective on video game/movie/tv violence.

when discussing issues such as this, one must remember that technologic deterministic perspectives, such as 'video game violence results in real violence', have rarely, if ever been verified though they are oft cited in the press.

:up:

I really feel the answer is media awareness training - provided by a parent (a way for parents to connect with their children at an early age). And this is not only for electronic media (Intenet/TV/video games/movies), but also for newspapers.
 
Americas Army, man that game is the best Propaganda Ever, UnrealTM Engine and solid combat, pure gold.
 
the alignment of young male-oriented entertainment with american foreign policy objectives is as old as comic books-and maybe older.

with only a cursory consideration, this seems less true in the video game world, aside from the socom's and rainbow 6's-perhaps this is such because of the global nature of the video game market?
 
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It is all about responsibility. Not only the parent's, but the kid playing the game.

It seems more likely to me that kids caught stealing a car and killing someone would find it easier to say "GTA gave me the idea" than to simply take responsibility for committing a crime.
Just as their parents would rather blame it on the game than the fact that they were poor parents. They have a media and a government willing to listen to that kind of catchphrase, so why not?

So, it's simply taking responsibility for one's own actions...
 
People worry about kids playing with guns and watching violent videos, we're scared that some sort of culture of violence is taking them over. But nobody worries about kids listening to thousands -- literally thousands -- of songs about broken hearts and rejection and pain and misery and loss.

:D
 
Popmartijn said:
People worry about kids playing with guns and watching violent videos, we're scared that some sort of culture of violence is taking them over. But nobody worries about kids listening to thousands -- literally thousands -- of songs about broken hearts and rejection and pain and misery and loss.

:D

As i mentioned before our brain is continously learning. So song about broken hearts and rejection become imho dangerous for society when the solution is violence, rape etc.
If the solution is "write a song about it if you feel bad" it might be a good adive ;)
 
I think the problem isn't the video games at all. Those ratings on the box are there for a reason. People under that age aren't supposed to play these games and it's clearly stated by the companies who develope the games and the publishers who plaster a big M on the front of the box.

The problem is the parents. It's the parents' fault. They're simply not being responsible. The parents let their kids buy this crap, or even worse, they buy this crap FOR their kids.

I was at the store the other day browsing video games and this little kid started talking to me. He couldn't have been older than 8 years old. He was showing me all the games HIS PARENTS BOUGHT him. Alot of these games were extremely violent. One of the games was Grand Theft Auto. A game where you beat, shoot and run over innocent people, commit crimes for money, and hire, then kill prostitutes. I was totally shocked to see that a parent would be ignorant and irrisponsible enough to buy this garbage for their kids.

I think so many people are just irrisponsible these days. We're living in a society where people are too irrisponsile to take the blame for their own actions. He have obese people blaming Mcdonalds for their unhealthy lifestyle, as if Mcdonalds put a gun to their head and forced Big Macs down their throat, acting like they didn't know Mcdonalds wasn't healthy (oh my!! Mcdonalds is unhealthy?? Who would have EVER guessed??). If you slip on a patch of ice and bruise or butt just sue someone for millions of dollars!! Sovles the problem quite nicely hmm?

Parents need to stop being fools about this stuff. They buy something destructive for their children when they're completely clueless to its content. Then when something goes wrong they just act stupid (because they are stupid) and say "what a horrible game!! What kind of horrible person would devlope a game like that!?! They should be outlawed!!!".

Well guess what, YOU'RE responsible for your kid having that game. Be responsible and read the ratings. Ignorance isn't an excuse to pollute your kid's mind. There's destructive video games out there and parents need to be aware of this instead of playing ignorant fools. Uncaring parents are more destructive to children than any video game could ever be.

Ignorance isn't an excuse!!!!
 
did hitler play violent video games? crazy is crazy... and crazy people will do crazy things, wether they play video games or not. people did crazy things before electricity... 99.9% of us non crazy people can play games like GTA (which has a new version comming out in october, btw). the .1% of us who can't handle it go and snipe people and smash their heads in with baseball bats. just like 99.9% of cavemen who saw their first drawing on a cave wall could handle it, while .1% said "ooga booga" and smashed their heads in with big fucking rocks.
 
ummmm gee thanks for that i believe that was part of my point.

do violent video games bring out violence in a very small percentage of the population? yes... absolutely. should we ban these games because of that? no... absolutely not. things have spurned crazy people to do crazy things throughout the history of man. if the person is crazy enough where a video game or a movie or a book is going to make them take a gun to school or to a mall, then they're probably crazy enough that it doesn't matter what you ban, something is gonna set them off. banning video games due to content is no different to me than burning books because of content. if stores don't like the content of the game, they simply do not have to carry the product. if parents do not like the content of a game, they simply do not have to buy it for their kids. the whole "well he's just gonna play it at his friend's house so i might as well get it for him anyway" theory that many parents have is just plain stupid. crazy is crazy... if someone is capable of doing something crazy just because they saw it in a video game, then they're capable of doing something crazy because they saw it in a movie... or tv... or read it in a newspaper, magaizine or book... blaming video games is just a crutch... i mean what do we do? ban everything? live in a happy happy joy joy world where nothing is ever wrong and everythign that might have a bad effect on you is banned?
 
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Manhunt I suppose, good idea - I didn't even have a computer until I was 13, even then it was a 386 - this was when we could get Pentium 90's. Not much violence in video games then, even doom wouldnt run.
 
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