Violence in Video Games
June 21st, 2007 by CEVO|DivitoViolence in Video Games: Part One
Recently, as I was watching some late night TV as I often find myself doing, I noticed an interesting discussion taking place on Much Music (for Americans, it’s an MTVesque channel in Canada). The roundtable-like show entitled MuchTalks was centered around ‘violence,’ mainly in teens and involved a number of ‘experts’ from psychological backgrounds, community groups and a few musical artists, including the lead singer of Billy Talent, Ben Kowalewicz.
When I happened upon the channel through my ADD-like surfing, I caught their conversation just as they were discussing the prevalence of video games in the role of violence in adolescents. Initially, I was perturbed that I had come across this discussion, as I had to stop dancing and singing to Justin Timberlake’s ‘What Goes Around’ that I had set on repeat in iTunes, simply to pay attention.
However, as they started getting their ‘experts’ to speak and give their opinions, it rekindled my own opinion on the subject and made me realize that even people who go to university and study the mind can be complete morons. Along with that realization, I also wondered the obstacles that eSports will face in this area as we strive for more TV time and what actual psychiatric evaluation has to say on the subject.
We have all seen the news stories, the lawsuits and the politicians pointing their fingers at music, movies and video games as catalysts into child and teen violence, but why is that? Many people will point to their sheer stupidity or ignorance, but the truth of the matter is this; anyone out to criticize the developers, movie industry or even musical artists for acts taking place around the world are misrepresenting the appropriate blame and facts for certain gains.
Think of it this way; if a politician were to say parents need to be more responsible with their children or that they are a large reason behind the problems affecting teenage behavior, and moreover, that mass media really has no quantifiable effect, how many votes or how much support do you think they will receive? No one wants to be told how to run their life, and more importantly handle their children so politicians and advocates cleverly change the focus to a side in which they can control ‘if elected’, through legislation or unless they receive more financial support. In the end, video game developers are left defending their business.
Now some of you might be thinking, ‘well hey, isn’t it also ignorant to claim music, movies and games don’t play a role at all?’ There is one specific quote I can take from someone in the show and that was of a psychologist claiming that there are “several studies confirming increased aggression among video game players.” As I tried to logically and rationally work through what was just said, I came to a conclusion to help with her misrepresented ‘fact’.
Look at any sport, any competition and you’ll undoubtedly find intense struggle, rivalry and aggressiveness. Anyone who has ever played a sport knows this relevance, no matter what sport it is, even the less physically driven ones. Video games, one would think, work on that same psychological and subconscious level and you would find evidence in scans of the brain. Most avid gamers know the effect that it takes on someone who is trying for that best time, that high score or that next level. If you have a younger brother or sister who plays, this is even more apparent as you stand witness to what happens during the course of game play.
As eSports pushes into the realm of mainstream television, there is no doubt that this debate will increase upon the facilitation of coverage and we will see the rise of this societal downplay that has affected our hobby for years.
June 22nd, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Much Music also exists in the U.S.A formerly by the name of Much Music USA, and now as FUSE.
June 22nd, 2007 at 3:36 pm
True.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:39 am
Good write.
This has been a problem for so long in gaming. People think that playing violent video games makes people go crazy and shoot people.
It’s like saying watching violent movies make you go crazy or even playing a random violent sport like hockey or football will make you more violent and want to kill people.
I think killing people is a mental problem. Not a problem you develop overnight.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:17 am
i actually wrote a paper about this topic for an english class at my college. email me if you’re interested in reading it :)
June 27th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
The average IQ is 100 and 95% of all peopls are between 90 and 110. Thats not, well, intelligent. Give them a bible and a nice suit and youll find the majority of senators and media talking heads from anywhere except the coasts.
Problem explained.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:10 am
Although I strongly agree with you on the subject of vidoe game violence inflicting the violent actions of some teens, it is imperative that one note that most violence is a result of a lack of regard for human life or wellness. This can come through many ways, but the two most obvious are mental disorders developed during childhood, but likewise another is due to the long, drawn-out environment of a lack of regard for human life or wellness.
The reason I bring this up is to note that music CAN have some effect on the violent acts of people in general, and especially teens. It is not through the actual music that the teens develop this violent sense, but through the idolization of the singers who advocate acts of violence. It is very common, too, for children to live their entire lives in this environment, and it can therefore have some effect on their activities.
The reason that role-models and such have the impact that the actual medium of entertainment doesn’t, is because by the time the teen experiences the game or movie etc., they realize that it is fiction, and their mind regards it as fiction. That’s why violent games are irrelevant in the shaping of violent people. However, singers, actors, role-models; they are in the real world, and can therefore glorify these acts of violence, and make a great impact on the teen’s behavior.
Great article though, nice to see that someone’s using their head.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
put it in this situation… we have been watching coyote blow himself up many times in the past attempting to kill the roadrunner. Why isnt that discussed and in studies?
June 30th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
good article. great points. :]
July 23rd, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Good article. I like your point about the ‘intense struggle’ all competitive games have in their nature.
February 21st, 2008 at 11:48 am
Great article, I’d have to agree with everything said.
It actually makes me mad when I have my mom come and tell me that video games cause people to go crazy, but I always tell her to look at me and my friends, we’re all normal people still.
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whooo listens to justin timberlake and dances to it.. LOSER
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