Violence in Games

[Instant C1a55ic]

I don't get it why game companies are being blamed for violence in games. Yes, games like GTA and COD are violent, but doesn't it take a mind that already is corrupted to go above the normal threshold of control and begin to kill/cause violence?

EXAMPLE: I first discovered GTA 3 on my friends computer and I played it for like 8 hours straight. When I walked outside to go to the pawn shop to look at used games, I felt like I was in GTA. Silly I know, but the environment brings you in and you feel like your there. That aside, I didn't walk up to a car waiting at the stop light, open the door, punch the person in the face and drag them out of the car. I just stopped looked around and commented how crazy and weird it felt after spending so many hours playing.

GTA didn't compel me to go out and commit crimes or hurt people. People say violent games help people commit crimes by showing them how to do it. Funny, considering that person wanted to commit crime no matter what, they just needed that guide.

It makes me mad because my wife says that games are too violent and it will mold the future children to be violent. Funny, because its not just THIS generation that is playing violent games. What about Contra on NES? Your running around shooting guys with guns. Many games spanning the 28 years of my life I have played have been violent, however the funny thing is I don't have a blemish on my record. No felonies or misdemeanors. Games don't make people violent, its already in the person IMO.

Violent games do not need to be taxed or halted from being made, they just need to regulate it better...how, I do not know I have no power.

If parents are so worried about violent games, stop buying them for your children. I used to work for a major retailer and too many times did I get a game out for a parent that A) had no idea what they were buying B) didn't care because there kid wouldn't shut up until they buy it C) some coming back and asking how I could subject their children to such filth.

Sorry for the rant, I am just tired of reading the bashing and belittling of the game industry. Its a passion of mine and I feel it should not be held under a microscope because criminals blame that so they can get away with their crimes.

[gerg1234]

Re: Violence in Games

I don't think violence in games are an issue. Heck, kids used to go beat the crap out of each other for something to do.

Anybody notice all of this violence really started to rise at the same time doctors started giving kids pills for EVERYTHING? Kid wants to run around? He has ADD, but we have a pill for that!

I don't think it's a coincidence.

[VTPack919]

Re: Violence in Games

Sadly, in our society today, someone or something has to be blamed. There has to be a reason these kids were derailed and carried out the horrible things. It can't be just because the kids had access to weapons and were mentally unstable.

There has to be some other reason, something else to blame other than the painfully obvious. It just so happens that video games have been getting more realistic, not necessarily more violent, although that argument could be made.

For those looking in on the outside, this looks like a good time to attack a medium they may not partake in or care for. Video Games are an easy target because the young people that don't play them are few and far between. That makes the video games an easy target and also a quick fix.

Overhauling the mental health system? That's difficult and costs money. Restrictions on guns? Too political. Taxing/Putting restrictions on the video game industry? Perfect and the gov't might make a little money.

[JODYE]

Re: Violence in Games

I feel like we've had this discussion before...

One word: Parenting.

Alot of people suck at it. Or weren't ready for it.

[cavsfan2]

Re: Violence in Games

Because parents don't want to be blamed or be accountable for anything. You want to know why kids are lazy and not accountable? Start with the parents.

Because its much easier to blame "big, evil" corporations then it is to blame ourselves.

Just my 2 cents. People think kids suck these days, and maybe that's true. But they sure as hell weren't born ****ty. They were raised into what they become.

Sorta went off topic, and I'm sorry for that, but it's still somewhat related.

Edit: and im not trying to say all parents suck. Some are really good, but I'm talking about the ones on the bad end of the spectrum

[Instant C1a55ic]

Re: Violence in Games

Sadly, in our society today, someone or something has to be blamed. There has to be a reason these kids were derailed and carried out the horrible things. It can't be just because the kids had access to weapons and were mentally unstable.

There has to be some other reason, something else to blame other than the painfully obvious. It just so happens that video games have been getting more realistic, not necessarily more violent, although that argument could be made.

For those looking in on the outside, this looks like a good time to attack a medium they may not partake in or care for. Video Games are an easy target because the young people that don't play them are few and far between. That makes the video games an easy target and also a quick fix.

Overhauling the mental health system? That's difficult and costs money. Restrictions on guns? Too political. Taxing/Putting restrictions on the video game industry? Perfect and the gov't might make a little money.

Its not even games being discovered as the excuse, its the kids themselves that say "such and such game gave me the idea/compelled me to do it". And like you said them having access to guns makes no difference, its the game that pushed them over the edge.

Games didn't make me, or anyone else that I know violent. I don't think any person is predetermined to be violent via genetics, to me its the "oh look, this guy can run people over, shoot them and steal cars and gets away with it...guess I can do it too"

[deaduck]

Re: Violence in Games

I pretty sure at one point in history somebody blamed cave paintings for neanderthal violence. Just saying.

[VTPack919]

Re: Violence in Games

I pretty sure at one point in history somebody blamed cave paintings for neanderthal violence. Just saying.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Violence in Games

Because its easier to blame video games than, you know, actually look at the system of violence we perpetrate, flaunt, and encourage on a daily basis.

[Champion8877]

Re: Violence in Games

I have been playing GTA since I was like 9 years old. I have never once in the 9 years since then even considered shooting anyone, stealing a car, running random pedestrians over, dealing or doing any hard drug, or anything of that nature.

Anyone who kills somebody has much larger problems than violent video games, and I would bet they would kill regardless of if they played these games or not.

[LambertandHam]

Re: Violence in Games

I pretty sure at one point in history somebody blamed cave paintings for neanderthal violence. Just saying.

It's the same thing that happened to Comic Books, Rock Music, D & D, etc.

Paging Frank Zappa

[AUChase]

Re: Violence in Games

Conversation comes up once every few months.

Just like violence in movies, they put ratings on them for a reason.

[goh]

Re: Violence in Games

It's the same thing that happened to Comic Books, Rock Music, D & D, etc.

Paging Frank Zappa

Yah pretty much this. They need a scapegoat so blame what they don't understand. None of them want to actually blame the people that put them in that state,the easily accessed weapons or anything else. Every one of these shootings you hear the person was bullied,had a crazy mom,abusive family,some girl was terrible to them for no reason and all that sort of thing. None of that matters,it happend because they play games and listen to metal.

Clinton was down with video games:

[LambertandHam]

Re: Violence in Games

Yah pretty much this. They need a scapegoat so blame what they don't understand. None of them want to actually blame the people that put them in that state,the easily accessed weapons or anything else. Every one of these shootings you hear the person was bullied,had a crazy mom,abusive family,some girl was terrible to them for no reason and all that sort of thing. None of that matters,it happend because they play games and listen to metal.

Clinton was down with video games:

That's the part that always gets me after these horrific events. "We found video games!" is touted in the press, as some type of magic spell. A large majority of the US plays video games, same with countries like Japan, and most of Europe.

I'm sure the guy also ate at Mcdonalds, drank water, watched TV, etc.

[mb625]

Re: Violence in Games

I'm sure I've posted this before, but I'll say it again, the medium itself is a factor in violence. Studies have proven this. BUT, it is just the tip of the iceberg. Ultimately, there are dozens of other factors that are just as responsible, if not more so, than the games themselves.