Video games have made messy scenes in news and media. However, for every negative story there are dozens of positive stories that are never be reported. The media tends to focus on the negative and sensationalist alleged impact of gaming.
Obviously, we all know the real truth not shown on Fox News: games can inspire violence in certain individuals just as it can create happiness and tranquility.
I remember the days when music was blamed for all the evils in the world. We live in an age where a person can blame their troubles on a video game because video games have reached mainstream attention. Like the media, many among us are quick to lay blame on external influences in our society rather than looking at ourselves as the source for our own trouble.
A circus of media and Internet publications will swarm down on the video game industry if a single deranged individual points their violent tendencies on a recently played game. If a person feels the urge to hurt another individual, chances are they've already made that decision far before they’ve played the next Grand Theft Auto. We don't live in a perfect society and we can’t stop our TV, Music and Movies from displaying acts of extreme violence. Many people feel the need to blame something or someone for their own negative actions.
I asked other random gamers on three unique Internet forums to point out positive influences in video games and weighted those against known negative influences. These are a few of their responses (some shortened to the point):
I went on to ask the same people, “If the games can yield positive results why can’t games have a negative impact such as violent tendencies?”
Does a video game truly make you violent or does it make a violent person more creative? If a young person is raised on violent games to teach them life lessons in place of correct parental guidance, who really is to blame?
Younger children are highly influenced by those around them and this includes video games. A responsible parental figure should recommend against children playing violent video games until they are old enough to understand the realities of violence. This is why ESRB rating board was invented. I enjoy video games (I'm working on a First Person Shooter) so don’t get me wrong when I label them as violent as they are.
That said, I also believe it is important to vocalize that games do cause happiness, tranquility and a distraction from everyday life when everyone points to games as the root of all evil. If a game can promote a positive feeling then the opposite can also be true. For every game that makes an individual feel happy there is a good chance a game exists which can make an individual become violent.
So, please do me a favor: When you’re playing a video game and you win or achieve a locked mission ... go high-five someone. Hug a loved one. Help an old lady across the street. When someone stops you and ask "Why you are in a great mood?" tell them that video games make you do nice things.
Unfortunately, the media will never cover that story.
I remember the days when music was blamed for all the evils in the world. We live in an age where a person can blame their troubles on a video game because video games have reached mainstream attention. Like the media, many among us are quick to lay blame on external influences in our society rather than looking at ourselves as the source for our own trouble.
A circus of media and Internet publications will swarm down on the video game industry if a single deranged individual points their violent tendencies on a recently played game. If a person feels the urge to hurt another individual, chances are they've already made that decision far before they’ve played the next Grand Theft Auto. We don't live in a perfect society and we can’t stop our TV, Music and Movies from displaying acts of extreme violence. Many people feel the need to blame something or someone for their own negative actions.
I asked other random gamers on three unique Internet forums to point out positive influences in video games and weighted those against known negative influences. These are a few of their responses (some shortened to the point):
Kurisu7885: “The Sims, especially, can teach you money and time management, and can teach a good amount of interior design and home design.”
Hannah: “My arms and shoulders are still hurting from playing Wii Sports with my boyfriend over the weekend. I tend to exaggerate the motions, so it's definitely a workout.”
Garrett: “Some RPG's teach you math and organization. Although, newer ones make it easier on you, it wouldn't be unusual or a bad idea to have a notebook next to you to write important details down. In my early days of playing Wasteland, I had no less then a dozen pages filled with stats, locations, characters and puzzles.”
::Idiot:: “I think games are simply a new age in media. Not that it is going to overthrow moving pictures or books, but it is a new mass media. It does give you an experience that you can't achieve from books or movies or TV or radio. It's taken us a little while to get here, but there are quite a few game in our day that really show how we can be taken into exotic landscapes and epic adventuress in a way that isn't the same as reading a book. Not to say that games can only do it differently one way, but in many ways.”
Karuto: “It gives you something to do when you're bored. At this point in the stage, it's become an effective medium to keep occupied. If we get more games like with the Wii and Dance Revolution, it'll definitely be right up there with Recess as the best recreational activity.
I went on to ask the same people, “If the games can yield positive results why can’t games have a negative impact such as violent tendencies?”
Garrett: “If I play a game with a gun, did I just learn how to properly handle the gun after playing the game? The answer, according to the U.S. Army, is no. After creating the game America's Army, a FAQ was posted indicating that very question. There's no way that a present game can give you the recoil, the exact amount of pressure needed, maintenance, etc., needed for you to become some kind of professional, or even an amateur shooter.
Koroshiya_Ichi: “I think (as is the case with all creative and entertainment mediums) it's greatly down to context. People argue all the time 'the artist was trying to say this, the artist was trying to say that, you're interpreting it wrong THIS is what this 'art' is about' which I find is utterly irrelevant crack. Art of all forms is 99% interpretation; once it's been completed it becomes the audiences to do with what they wish. An artist can express themselves or certain ideas, but at the end of the day you cannot control how someone is going to perceive or react to anything. This is the beauty of art but is also (in terms of large scale society) its downfall. The context within which something is interpreted can greatly affect the way it is processed, and its effects expressed.
There are always going to be people whose experience with certain films, games, music whatever pushes their mental state over the edge. It's not one single things fault, the dynamic of human emotion is far too complex for anyone with half a brain cell to even entertain such a concept, but it as equal an ingredient as everything else.”
::Idiot:: “It does promote violence. Pretty much the same way Catcher in the Rye inspired that guy to kill John Lennon. We can get violent from playing games. But not all games are violent; I actually like to keep away from gore."
JoeX11: “Whether or not a video game can make a child violent is almost irrelevant. Many studies have been conducted and the best answer anyone can come up with is 'Inconclusive.' The more pressing issue is not whether these kids are being made violent by what they play, but how they are able to get their hands on games not meant for them.
Does a video game truly make you violent or does it make a violent person more creative? If a young person is raised on violent games to teach them life lessons in place of correct parental guidance, who really is to blame?
Younger children are highly influenced by those around them and this includes video games. A responsible parental figure should recommend against children playing violent video games until they are old enough to understand the realities of violence. This is why ESRB rating board was invented. I enjoy video games (I'm working on a First Person Shooter) so don’t get me wrong when I label them as violent as they are.
That said, I also believe it is important to vocalize that games do cause happiness, tranquility and a distraction from everyday life when everyone points to games as the root of all evil. If a game can promote a positive feeling then the opposite can also be true. For every game that makes an individual feel happy there is a good chance a game exists which can make an individual become violent.
So, please do me a favor: When you’re playing a video game and you win or achieve a locked mission ... go high-five someone. Hug a loved one. Help an old lady across the street. When someone stops you and ask "Why you are in a great mood?" tell them that video games make you do nice things.
Unfortunately, the media will never cover that story.
