Violence in Video Games

Last edited by Nitrous on Sat Jan 14, 2006 4:27 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hey guys, I am doing a report for English on the effects of video games on people. It concerns all video games and all effects of them, so this is more than just violence... It has to do with the health, reaction times, grades, etc. of the people playing them. It would be great if you could post your opinions on the effects of video games on people (especially children), so I can use this as a source. If you can, please answer the questions below. Please explain your answer. ;)

Do you think that video games are good or bad for children to play?

Do you think that one hour of playing video games is better than one hour of television?

Can violent video games actually take control of a person and cause them to do irrational things that they would not otherwise do?

What kind of video games do you play?

Do you think that the ESRB rating system is accurate, or do you think that it really doesn't tell you anything about the content of the game?

Do you think that in most cases, the more intense the game, the better storyline it has? Do these games usually address moral/ethical issues?

Do you think that many video games require a longer playing time, and the usual parential set one-hour limit does not allow you to get anything done?

Thanks you guys! If you have anymore ideas, please add them in your posts.

Last edited by Greg M. on Sat Jan 14, 2006 6:31 pm; edited 1 time in total

Do you think that video games are good or bad for children to play?
Depends, in moderation, they can be good.

Do you think that one hour of playing video games is better than one hour of television?
99% of the time, unless its an educational program.

Can violent video games actually take control of a person and cause them to do irrational things that they would not otherwise do?
Only if they are inclined to do so anyways.

What kind of video games do you play?
Mostly first person shooters.

Do you think that the ESRB rating system is accurate, or do you think that it really doesn't tell you anything about the content of the game?
It's okay, but rather than giving a generic age, it should just inform people what is in the game.  More like TV shows (S for sex, V for violence, L for language... add to that like XV or EV for excessive violence...).

Do you think that in most cases, the more intense the game, the better storyline it has? Do these games usually address moral/ethical issues?
Depends on what you mean by intense.  I like games that tell a story, and/or challenge me with puzzles.  Leading me by my nose through a bad story just so I can kill hundreds of drones is pointless.

Do you think that many video games require a longer playing time, and the usual parential set one-hour limit does not allow you to get anything done?
I think that video games should be played in about 2 hour segments, but with 2-3 breaks in that time to strech and move the blood around.  This also gets your eyes off the screen, decreasing the risk of a seizure.

I'll share one fact. It has been proven several times that playing video games (whether PC or console) increases a person's reflex with their fingers, as well as their hand-to-eye coordination. Now..

Do you think that video games are good or bad for children to play?

If they know how to differentiate a fantasty life from reality, then video games are not bad, and also as long as they don't interfere with your normal life activities (no addiction).

Do you think that one hour of playing video games is better than one hour of television?

Depends on what you watch on TV. If you watch a sex-filled movie, I would think video games are more beneficial. But if you watch Discovery Channel, then TV hands down.

Can violent video games actually take control of a person and cause them to do irrational things that they would not otherwise do?

Yes, this has been shown several times. One example: 2 teenagers played Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. They decided to buy guns and shoot at a school bus, like they can in the game. Parents sued Sony, got 235 million dollars. Luckily, no one was hurt.

What kind of video games do you play?

Mostly Real Time Strategy (C&C, Warcraft, Starcraft, D2) and 3rd & 1st person shooters (Splinter Cell & Halo)

Do you think that the ESRB rating system is accurate, or do you think that it really doesn't tell you anything about the content of the game?

It really does not tell you much about what is in the game. Some kids are able to understand the violence and not treat it in a glorified way. The 18 or above M rating on games is very inaccurate.

Do you think that in most cases, the more intense the game, the better storyline it has? Do these games usually address moral/ethical issues?

Depends. I'm sure the Playboy: Mansion game would qualify under this. At the same time, there are games like Rome: Total War that are very intense, but actually *teach* you about history, etc.

Do you think that many video games require a longer playing time, and the usual parential set one-hour limit does not allow you to get anything done?

I find this mostly on MMOG's.

Last edited by krazykaveman on Sun Jan 15, 2006 1:43 am; edited 1 time in total

Do you think that video games are good or bad for children to play?

it depends on the kid if they get totaly absorbed and obsessed then it's bad, if its kinda like meh it's just a gmae then it's fine.

Do you think that one hour of playing video games is better than one hour of television?

Yeah in video games you can shoot people :) on tv shows you cant :(

Can violent video games actually take control of a person and cause them to do irrational things that they would not otherwise do?

Only if they are a retard

What kind of video games do you play?

RTS and FPS.

Do you think that the ESRB rating system is accurate, or do you think that it really doesn't tell you anything about the content of the game?

I think it is accurate it may seem a little overrated but it's safer for the kids who don't understand to wait a little like i've been playing teen rated games almost all my life and some of my friends are only allowed to play E rated games which is probly good i dont think they could handle it.

Do you think that in most cases, the more intense the game, the better storyline it has? Do these games usually address moral/ethical issues?

compare to war of the worlds intense but no plot. yeah halo 2 addresses ethical issues by calling the covenent discriminating names im offended :angry:

Do you think that many video games require a longer playing time, and the usual parential set one-hour limit does not allow you to get anything done?

Yes.

Predator, yes, you're right.

Do you think that video games are good or bad for children to play?
With the advances of technology and the evolution of society as a whole, some games are just to extreme in my professional opinion (I say professional because of my career choice).  Different games offer different alterations of the imagination.  I believe that a 10 year old playing a very graphic first person shooter may have adverse effects.  A general theory regarding violent video games is that after time, they begin to \"desensitize\" a person to actual violence. [see COL Dave Grossman's book \"On Combat\"; it addresses this phenomenon]
Overall, I'll have to agree with the consensus, some are good, others are bad.

Do you think that one hour of playing video games is better than one hour of television?

No.  Even though there are some educational games, they are by far not the mainstream.  Television offers many channels that are educational while stimulating curiosity and imagination both.  Neither are \"good\" if they are solely used for entertainment purposes.  I say that in regards to children.  Adults can easily distinguish what's good for them and what's not. [the majority of them at least]

Can violent video games actually take control of a person and cause them to do irrational things that they would not otherwise do?

Again, numerous studies have and still are being performed in relation to this question.  The studies that I've read hint at the fact that the majority of persons know the difference between right and wrong, even when playing video games.  I don't believe that a video game can incite an irrational streak in people.  The inherent ability to commit an atrocity needs to be there already, the game just acts as a catalyst for it.

What kind of video games do you play?
RPG's, MMORPG's, FPS's...just about everything.

Do you think that the ESRB rating system is accurate, or do you think that it really doesn't tell you anything about the content of the game?

The ESRB rating scheme is very similar to our country's terror level.  It's a generalized way to categorize games.  The system needs to be revamped with much more accuracy in terms of what the actual content of the game is.  Above all, the ESRB ratings need to be enforced.  No ratings or laws will ever work is they're not enforced.

Do you think that in most cases, the more intense the game, the better storyline it has? Do these games usually address moral/ethical issues?

Not neccesarily.  I've seen games that were extremely mild in intensity, yet delivered a powerful and compelling storyline.  The ability to capture one's attention does not lie solely on intensity.  Most games steer clear of the moral/ethical issues.  The purpose of games is to entertain and the purpose of the companys releasing the game is to make revenue.  If too many moral/ethical issues were addressed in games, I think the company knows they might lose a portion of potential sales based on individual beliefs.

Do you think that many video games require a longer playing time, and the usual parential set one-hour limit does not allow you to get anything done?

Again, this depends on the game.  With a Role-playing game, one hour might not be enough to get much accomplished.  I don't see this as an excuse however.  As a parent, if I allow my child to play a video game for one hour a night [after chores and homework are completely finished of course] it is my child's choice on which type of game to play.  They should make the choice knowing that they only have a set amount of time.  As the child ages and shows more resonsibility, then play times may increase.

I remember reading a report online that said violence actually went down during the beginning of videogames, he had a chart that showed violence in teens and every sharp drop was around the time of a new system introduction.

No it wasnt the man working for sony or microsoft, he placed all units and wasnt biased at all. I would look for that if i was you it seemed to be a pretty solid report

As I said, video games do not increase inherent violence in people.  At least not according to studies.  The person needs to have the ability already ingrained in them in some fashion.

How is it possible for a 14 year old to fire eight rounds and hit NINE people and for the Police to fire twenty-three rounds and not impact a single target?

The bottom line is that certain video games do offer a certain amount of \"training\" if you want to call it that.  When I was in the Military, we used \"video games\" to target and neutralize the enemy.  If used enough, it has the ability to \"desensitize\" a person to the prospect of combat and death.  One study found that the juvenile who fired the eight rounds [in a school] said that he learned how to shoot from playing video games.  More specifically, he played the sniper-ish games.  There is another study currently being conducted on the purported impact of Vice City on juveniles.

As a matter of fact, a bit of real world experience here.  Just last night I was dispatched to a rash of vandalisms.  Upon arrival and subsequent investigation, I found that the three boys who were responsible decided to do it because they wanted to form a \"gang\" based on a popular scateboarding game for the Playstation 2.

Video games have no effect on people in a real world sense?  Tell that to some other Police Officer who hasn't dealt with video game related crimes.

Last edited by kahrn on Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:48 pm; edited 1 time in total

Do you think that video games are good or bad for children to play?
I think it's great for children to play. I played video games when I was young, and I think it made me smarter. I learned things from games. Possibly strategy or something. I don't know. But I know I learnt from games.

Do you think that one hour of playing video games is better than one hour of television?
Of course. If you are infront of a television, you are not interacting. You are not learning, and you are not achieving. If you are playing a game, you are.

Can violent video games actually take control of a person and cause them to do irrational things that they would not otherwise do?
Not at all. Got any proof? Not at all. All cases of this type we're from people with mental problems from what I have seen. Sure, by playing a game you might be more interested in something which happens in a game, like joining the army or airline pilot or something.. but then again a film could do the same thing.
If I kill my mother in a game, I'm not stupid enough to go and do it in real life. If I jump out of a car and fall off a cliff into the sea in BF2 then I don't go and try it in real life. If I go around throwing medikits in bf2 and healing people, I don't go and do it in real life. Same applys for films.

What kind of video games do you play?
FPS (BF2, CS, UT, etc..), RTS (RA2) and other games like GTA and such.. and sometimes I play games I don't normally play like uuh the sims, simcity or RCT or something.

Do you think that the ESRB rating system is accurate, or do you think that it really doesn't tell you anything about the content of the game?
Don't know if the games use ESRB here. But in the case of PEGI and the government one that's more legal and stuff, I'd say the ratings are inaccurate.

Do you think that in most cases, the more intense the game, the better storyline it has? Do these games usually address moral/ethical issues?
er do you mean the better storyline it has the more intense it is and the more immersed you become? if so yes.

Do you think that many video games require a longer playing time, and the usual parential set one-hour limit does not allow you to get anything done?
Parential one hour limit? WTF?? That sucks.
Although when I was younger my mother said I have to have a break every 15 minutes. That soon ended and I played 12 hours straight at times.

12 hours straight kahrn? That's very unhealthy, not just for your eyes, but your brain as well.

Extremely unhealthy.

back when we had our intellivision, my mom always made us go outside every hour.

An hour playing games and then some time outside to do what kids do. Run, play, jump and climb trees.

I never could sit for 12 straight hours and not be absolutely crazy afterwards. To this day I have to get up and move around, maybe find something else to do for a bit to get the blood flowing back into all the vital places.

it called red bawls

Last edited by kahrn on Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:11 am; edited 1 time in total

Got any proof it's unhealthy? From knowing about the human body, it would be worse to watch 3 hours of tv a day than it would for me to play games for 12 straight hours a month, or even every 2 weeks. Might be wrong.
And from what I have also seen, is that games improve you're health over other subjects. So where is this idea of very unhealthy coming from?

And when you are immersed in the game, you wouldn't feel the need to move around.. infact you wouldn't feel the need to eat either (or at least I don't)

The last time I played games for around 12 hours was when I got max payne 2 and completed it in a day, but there are plenty of people out their that play games for far longer. They seem to be in perfect shape, so I still don't see how it's very unhealthy. (Obviously when I say straight, one has to get up one in a while for a drink or food)

Last edited by ChrisMG on Mon Jan 16, 2006 6:39 am; edited 1 time in total

I don't really think you need proof to know that it's unhealthy for your cardiovascular system.

I'm no doctor, but I know that if you don't move, you don't burn calories and your body will not metabolize carbohydrates into sugar to use as energy.  So let's say you're sitting there playing Max Payne 2, and at hour 6, you feel like a snack.  You decide to eat a twinkie, which is full of refined sugar.  All the sugar from that twinkie is being turned into blood sugar from the get-go.  Maybe you'll drink a soft drink with that twinkie.  Even more sugar.  That goes right into blood sugar as well because the enzymes in our body that metabolize sugar are not designed to metabolize refined sugar.  Your blood sugar rises rapidly.  Do that for long enough and over time your body will send out emergency signals.  Over more time, you may develop diabetic neuropathy, which is when the nerves that feed your extremities begin to die.  This is why many diabetics often have to have their feet amputated.

Note: Just because you don't feel the need to eat when playing games for extended amounts of time doesn't mean that your body isn't hungry.  When you don't eat, you don't absorb the many vitamins and minerals that your body needs to stay healthy.  Saying that when you play games, you don't feel the need for food isn't much of a medical defense when in actuality your body is starved for the good stuff.  At least eat an apple, that has lots of sugar, but it's unrefined natural sugar that our bodies were designed to metabolize.

But like I said.  I'm no doctor.  I'm just a guy who did lots of research when his grandmother died at age 65 because of diabetes.  She ate/drank too much refined sugar and she did not excercise at all.

Onward to the real arguement here:

Interesting article here: Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold trained on the violent video game Doom to rehearse for the carnage of Columbine.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/colu...p-4916552c.html

Another article on the subject:

http://publications.childrennow.org/public...irplay_2001.cfm

Last edited by krazykaveman on Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:37 am; edited 1 time in total

there was a scientific reasearch done and they came to the conclusion that your brain is more active in your sleep then while watching television.

and like you said

\"but there are plenty of people out their that play games for far longer. They seem to be in perfect shape, so I still don't see how it's very unhealthy.\"

the may look fine and feel fine now but inside they are screaming CANCER!! EAT YOUR GREENS!