Violent Video Games=Serious Public Safety Threat ??

#1 There hasn't ever been a serious study with any amount of evidence that violent media causes violence. Most of the time they don't even bother *trying* to provide any sort of scientific basis for their opinions or those of their masters.

As the link notes, violent acts in relation to the rising population have actually decreased. These self-trumpet-tooting psychologists tend to break the cardinal rule of doing any sort of science, which is to never predetermine the result of your research based on personal bias. Unfortunately for all reasoning people on the planet, and those of us who are passionate about the hobby, this is exactly the method that's been used by pretty much every (pseudo-)scientist that has done any research on the subject.

Edit: One thing I saw in the Washington Post article that I thought was interesting was the part that follows in bold (emphasis mine):

Quote:The findings, which are reported in the Journal of Adolescent Health, support earlier research which showed that children who watch violent television shows and who identify with the characters and believe they are real are more likely to be aggressive as adults.

If you believe that characters in film, TV, or video games are real, even as a child, then you have a serious mental health issue that has nothing to do with any form of media at all.

#2 Well, speaking for myself, I don't feel comfortable working on games which feature excessive violence (which I guess is entirely subjective anyway).

I feel that a lot of the games today focus too much on violence, and I don't KNOW if that affects people or not. Some studys says it does, others say there's no conclusive evidence. My guess is that excessive violence in games DOES affect people.

So personally, I'd never work on something like Man Hunt (man, I thought working on Crackdown came close enough to the limit for me at times :D I guess we're all different)

#3 It's up to parents to properly educate kids about tv and game violence. Banning content will simply make
an underground with even more violence and subversion.

#4 @Mattias, that's fine and all, but there's no evidence that it causes people to be violent when not playing games. Aggressiveness towards game objects, yes, violence when not playing? No. And regardless, human society in general is *FAR* less violent than it ever has been in the past, and the levels of violence continue to drop, contrary to what self-horn-tooting psychologists constant blather on about without bothering to present even the barest glimmer of evidence.

#5 You say there's no evidence that games makes people violent. But there's no evidence that it doesn't either.

My point is, that we all have an individual responsibility as well. I know it wouldn't feel nice if a guy would cut someones head off after playing, for hours on end, a game I'd done where you cut peoples heads off. It would feel terrible, and even though I can't be held responsible for it, I would still feel really bad.

And I'm saying that if something like that would make you feel bad, you shouldn't work on those types of games in the first place. If you couldn't care less if something like that happened, then ok, go on and make the games, there sure is a market for them :P

#6 Vashner is absolutely right.

I don't think you need the evidence of a 6 year study to come to your own obvious conclusion that handing your 4 year old a violent video game is bad news for his future. The X Box is not a freaking babysitter.

The real threat to society is the lack of good parenting, period.

Let's try and get beyond this age old stupid discussion and start being better parents. Violent games are not for young children and neither are MMORPG games where the whole point is wealth and power. It's just so obvious.

#7 Obviously, children shouldn't be playing games meant for adults.

But I don't think we should use as much excessive violence in videogames for adults either.

#8 Who are you to say. What's next? Film? Theatre, music? What about art? I guess you are entitled to your opinion but I do not agree with it because I think it's rediculous.

#9 Why is it that so many people get so defensive about excessive violence? Is it really that important? Can't we make fun games without it?

I'm not saying it should be forbidden or there should be laws against it. I have a strong dislike for that type of censorship.

But why would it be wrong of me to urge people to make their games less violent? Why is it ridiculous for me to voice my opinion that game developers should reduce the violence in the games they make? Is the excessive violence really that precious to you?

#10

Quote:You say there's no evidence that games makes people violent. But there's no evidence that it doesn't either.

Lack of evidence is not a resonable arguement.

That's like saying I am GOD and you can't prove that I'm not, so I must be.

I agree that I think the violence issue is overblown and that too many people feel that they need excessive violence in their games to make their points, but at the same time I just have soooo much fun shooting people in the face and cutting heads off that I ignore my own opinions.

Games can be made that are fun and non-violent. Look at most of the casual gaming market. Mainly non-violent games.

At the same time I feel that it is not my place to tell anyone how they should do anything. If they want gore and carnage then let them have it.

If you don't like gore and carnage then stay away from those types of games.

Just a few of my thoughts on the subject.

*edit: Fixed Mainlu to Mainly

#11 "If you don't like something - Ignore it" ?

Sorry, that doesn't sit well with me :)

"If you don't like something, try to change it for the better",
now that's more like it :D

I'll tell anyone I want to, how I think they should do things. They can choose to listen or they can choose not to listen, but they can't choose what I say or don't say.

And note that I'm not against violence in games. I'm arguing against the overuse of excessive violence within the games industry.

#12 I didn't say it you don't like it - Ignore it

I said If you don't like gore and carnage then stay away from those types of games.

Please don't twist my words to fit your message.

#13 So, I suppose that if there were to be a modern remake of A Christmas Story that Ralphy would be begging his parents for Halo3?

"Sorry kid. You'll shoot your school up."

"You'll shoot your school up. You'll shoot your school up."

"I played Doom when I was a kid." "ooooh, I don't know. I still think video games are dangerous."

"Be careful Ralphy. Don't shoot your school up."

"All right, Blackbart11. Now you'll get yours."

#14 How on earth was that twisting your words :D

I didn't quote you, I stated MY interpretation of what had been said (with a question mark at the end, no less)...

but still... you do say If I don't like gore and carnage I should stay away from those types of games...

but you're saying that doesn't mean If I don't like them I should ignore them? What does it mean then? I should concern myself with the games AND stay away from them at the same time? :-)

#15 LOL.

Don't make me get my rubber bat.

This is a free world and you can do whatever you like ... which I guess is the point.

When it comes to any kind of entertainment, it is up to the person to decide what is right for him/her.

Protesting something because you don't like it is fine, sometimes. But trying to blame entertainment (music/games/movies) for the actions of people is insane.

The bottom line is we are human and we are violent. Removing violent content will not effect that in any way.

#16 My cats, Speedy and Tiger, used to be perfectly civil until they started playing video games. Now they are obsessed with killing. The video games twisted them. They even... oh god... they toy with their 'prey' before they... oh my goodness... they kill and EAT it!! The poor spiders never had a chance.

I've put Speedy and Tiger on a strict diet of watching religous TV, but, I don't know, it may be too late. I only hope that the donations I send in to help God pay for new cars and vacations for the ministers will be enough to get his attention to save my cats.

Why? Why didn't I buy them the Bibleman dvds instead of an XBox 360 for Jesus' birthday last year? WHYYYYYY!!!????!!!!!

#17 Your cats played Prey?

#18 What about the Megadeth singer when he got heard about a kid have shoot peoples in a school i think,
because of of his song? i don't remember when i have heard this but it happends? He said he was a shame
and his song not about that!

Or when rock and roll appears, preachers they said you will go all in hell for that!

or when Jim Morrison have sing Babe light my fire in this years.....?

This is called Evolution and this is perfectly normal. BUREAUCRATS try to find solutions THAT most of them,
don't know the subjects. (most of them i'm sure, don't even play video games)

You have to deal with emotions and certain peoples don't have the potential to control themself.

I'm 29 now, and all my childwood got problems with my father (yelling each other and battles all the time)
I was really hate him for not taking care of me ... He was not paying attention to me and he was always
listening his F*** tv. And when i was in school and i guy trying to piss me off again battle so....

After all that, video games was my redemption. My only peaceful place who i can abbadon myself to
pure joy. I've i have learn from my mistakes and now my father and I started to speak each others right now after all this years...... and now it is ok but can i see my point here? really...

Kids don't shoot peoples because of a video game
THEY SHOOT peoples BECAUSE other poeples piss them off THAT's IT and can't control theyre emotions!

Parent out there, listen to me it's very important.
If your kid wanna talk, even its a super football game or wtv PUT mute or shut the tv off for at least
15min - 1hour and talk to him/her! What's they're problems, what they like? ect

Take time to talk to them, it's really important...
So what i have learn all this years....? Patience

Control my emotions and be diplomatic for the most part of my life have i real turn in my life.
Now i ill be father soon and i will remember that, that my father have never done to me
TALK AND LISTEN TO ME!

Your children is suppose to be the most important thing in your life, not your TV or anything else!

TALK and LISTEN thoses are 2 powerful words and can change a people life forever in a good way!
Violence will always exist, but you can change peoples mind That you can...

I have to tell you this because i'm very angry when peoples said violence it's because of the video games
this was my redemption, remember?

Poeples emotions are the real factor here >>> LOVE and to be LOVED
you want less violence in the world simple give love:) Now i understand more the before and it's great!

peace everyone! sorry for my english and please don't take this personal or wtv. it was just an opinion!

#19

Quote:You say there's no evidence that games makes people violent. But there's no evidence that it doesn't either.

I think your friends and the people around you should be evidence enough. I'm sure you know someone who's played games like Manhunt and GTA. Have they become bloodthirsty killers?

In my opinion, it's not video games that make teenagers more aggressive and violent. It's exactly the opposite. Violent teenagers are attracted to violent video games.

#20

Quote:You say there's no evidence that games makes people violent. But there's no evidence that it doesn't either.

...Didn't you see the part that said as the violent media increases, the crimes of teens decrease? I am not sure but, I think that seems like proof.

Quote:That's like saying I am GOD and you can't prove that I'm not, so I must be.

I'm god?