It’s a long-debated topic filled with controversy and debate, and recent reports have further stoked the fire. Aaron explores the touchy subject of video game violence
Arecent study performed by the American Psychological Association (APA) claimed to have found what it called definitive evidence that violent videogames lead to signs of aggression in players. The study, which found its way onto the internet in August, looked at over 300 different papers dealing with the subject of violent games and their effects on players. These papers were originally published between 2005 and 2015.
The study focused on a number of gamers and tested them in a number of ways, moving from short- to long-term exposure to violent games, after which researchers deduced that the games had a very real effect on aggression levels and overall behaviour.
“The research demonstrates a consistent relation between violent videogame use and increases in aggressive behaviour, aggressive cognitions and aggressive affect and decreases in pro-social behaviour, empathy and sensitivity to aggression,” said the report.
These results were called into question by a number of groups, with pro-gaming representatives and those involved in the industry voicing their concerns. It’s been said that many of those involved in the study are known to be anti-gaming, with definite agendas against gaming, and that evidence and results were picked selectively to lean towards the eventual outcome.
You’re probably reading this and thinking “So, what’s new?” You’d be right, this is an argument that has raged for a long time, and as videogames have become more and more realistic in their depictions of violent acts, the stream of such reports and cases has only grown. What’s the real truth behind this, though? Are violent games fuelling aggression and leading to some of the horrible events we’ve witnessed in recent years, such as Columbine, Sandy Hook and other massacres? Or is the humble videogame simply an easy target, blamed to avoid far more difficult questions?
Same Old, Same Old
A very common argument for videogames is one that’s undeniably very true. That’s that this kind of situation is nothing new, and videogames are just the latest target. Movies, music and even books have long been thought by some to have negative effects on people. Movies in particular have long been called into question regarding violent and distasteful content. Videogames are just the (relatively) new kid on the block, so they’re easy pickings for another wave of blame.
Unlike movies, however, videogames are not one-way entertainment. Players aren’t simply watching the action in a passive manner; here they’re part of the media. They’re often the ones performing such actions and making such decisions. They control the outcome of events and actively indulge in the violent content, even if it is digitally, within the confines of the game. Because of this, even the most stalwart defenders of games must agree that there’s a little more to the argument against violent games than movies. Watching violence is one thing; partaking in it, even in a virtual manner, is another.
The thing is, regardless of how interactive virtual violence is, it’s still just that – virtual – and that’s the distinction most people can make with no effort. It’s a game, and no matter how realistic it may look, the violence on display isn’t real, and as long as the person playing is mature and knows real from make-believe, right from wrong, there’s really nothing to worry about.
Often, violence in games is also very unrealistic and over the top, even in such infamous releases as Mortal Kombat. In games, characters can display feats of superhuman strength and speed; they can emit fireballs from their hands, jump several feet into the air, and they can withstand the kind of punishment that would easily kill in real life. It’s clearly not real, and there are more realistic avenues of violence elsewhere that don’t get the same bad press but which could promote the same feelings people claim games provoke.
Sports, for one, are very real. Even staged sports entertainment, like that seen in the WWE is pretty violent, but there’s nowhere near the fuss about this as there is with gaming. Again, much of this is simply watched on TV, but many sports that people and a lot of children play can be violent too. Parents think nothing of taking their kids to karate lessons, but those same parents may refrain from letting them play a fighting videogame.
Perspective
This is all about perspective and reason, these parents and others would argue. A child may go to self defence lessons for that very reason, to learn how to protect themselves, but in a videogame, there’s no such reason. All they do is kill for fun, and it has no positive outcome.
This is a common argument and one of the most ill-informed. It’s a clear demonstration of ignorance and unwillingness to experience such things first hand before criticising. You see, although there are a few games that blatantly focus on violence with little reason or perspective, such as the recent Hatred, most have plenty of story that frames the actions of the characters, and few heroes are cold-blooded killers with no remorse – just like any movie or other entertainment medium that’s deemed socially acceptable.
Even games all about killing, such as those seen in the Hitman series, don’t simply glamorise violence, and each mission and hit has a reason and back story, with targets usually being very bad individuals. This certainly doesn’t mean killing is right, it never is, but it clearly shows that there’s much more to the title than mindless violence for the sake of it. It’s just another form of escapism and entertainment. This entertainment is also governed by a ratings system.
Gaming, be it violent or not, has also proven to be excellent in terms of mental and physical development, promoting problem solving, manual dexterity and a general rise in intelligence, so it’s far from a waste of time, if planned out and overseen by the most important influence there is: parents.
Parental Control
By far the biggest issue for many in terms of videogame violence is the exposure of this violent content to a younger, under-age audience and the aggression it may seed. This is a very real and understandable concern. Most parents wouldn’t want their children to watch a gory slasher flick or potentially traumatising horror movie, and the same applies to games.
It’s perfectly reasonable for parents to find it unacceptable for their children to play games like GTA, Mortal Kombat, Hatred and other adult titles, and that’s precisely why games are now rated, just like movies. In fact, games like the original Mortal Kombat were directly responsible for this rating system, and without them, we may not have such industry control over content rating.
They vary in different worldwide regions, but almost all countries now have a rating system for games, with clear distinctions between age ranges and which titles are suitable for younger players. GTA and its ilk have clear adult ratings, so these should obvioulsy not be sold to or played by minors, just as 18-rated movies are not to be shown to those under that age.
It’s here where a lot of the problems lie. In many stories involving violent and aggressive acts by children, stories that accuse videogames of being a catalyst, the games involved are almost always adult in nature. These games should never have been played by those involved, meaning there was no parental/guardian control involved. Even if the game was directly responsible (which we’re certainly not saying is true), it could have been avoided by heeding the clear age ratings on the title, just as people (should) do with movies.
Of course, it’s highly possible children find a way to play such games without the parents’ knowledge, meaning parental control isn’t as much of an issue, but this is no different to kids secretly watching adult movies or partaking in any other activity they shouldn’t really be doing. Does this mean that we shouldn’t make adult movies and games? No, of course not, and the industry is doing what it can to make people aware of such content and taking steps it can to curtail its availability to those who shouldn’t have it, but every child can’t be watched all the time.
Mental Distinction
This is obviously an area for those with far more medical and psychological knowledge, but you don’t need to be an expert to know that people who are so easily influenced by videogames or any other type of depicted violence clearly have deeper rooted issues than whatever their pastimes happen to be. This is something that’s often ignored, with the blame being aimed squarely at games or another form of entertainment. They’re easy targets for such blame.
It takes a very distorted view of the world and an unstable mind to play a game of GTA V and to then go out and re-enact in-game events in the real world, and this isn’t something an age rating or other censorship is going to stop. If a person is predisposed to commit such acts, they’ll do so regardless of playing videogames or not. The seed is there, in their psyche, and any number of things could make it grow. Aggression or aggressive acts stemming from playing a game could very well be replicated in myriad of other ways. At the end of the day, the potential for aggressive behaviour is there, regardless of how it’s brought out.
Yes, games could arguably contribute to the eventual manifestation of this imbalance, but no more so than other external input. A poor upbringing and personal life experiences will shape this kind of behaviour far more and contribute to the overall psychological state of an individual.
Don’t Make Me Angry?
The studies we opened with looked at the increase in aggression generated by playing videogames, and while this is often linked to the horrible incidents of violence we see in the news, which more often than not overshadows any legitimate research, the general change in people’s moods is a real side-effect of gaming that can’t be denied. The things is, so are many other things we do each and every day – things that don’t come onto the radar of researchers, the media and consumer groups.
Do games cause people to get angry or demonstrate more aggressive emotions? Yes, of course they do. Whether it’s a really difficult game that causes people to yell in frustration or a competitive shooter in which fierce competition prompts aggression, all games are a form of stimulation and will act accordingly on the player. This is similar to the aggression players feel when playing football or rugby or the feeling of euphoria one gets after exercise or winning a game. It’s all in our make-up, and we’re a very emotional species. Anything and everything can change our moods and cause all sorts of reactions. This doesn’t make these external influences evil; they just prompt a change, that’s all. Then again, there’s something to be said for moderation.
The phrase, ‘You can have too much of a good thing’ is very true, and games are no exception. Prolonged exposure to games will have a negative effect, be it physically or mentally, so limiting time with them is important. If you’re the kind of person who has a temper, then games will undoubtedly make you angry and may even lead to excessive aggression. Luckily, most of us can control this, and while we may have a bit of a tantrum, after a few minutes, you remember it’s just a game and it’s not all that important. If this isn’t the case and you struggle to control your aggression, then maybe some help is needed.
As for a general feeling of sustained anger that may be prompted by playing violent games, then yes, some people may experience this, but again, would they also experience the same from playing sports or having a bad day at work? This is the fair question that should be asked and addressed, and simply focusing on one particular medium is short-sighted.
Raging On
The debate about violence in games and their impact on people isn’t going away. As long as games continue to be one of the most prominent forms of entertainment, there will always be cause for concern in the minds of many. What we need to remember is that games don’t make a person and like any other form of stimulation, they simply affect a persons’ existing nature. Are you irritable and prone to anger? Games will probably make you angry. Simple.
Why So Angry?
As we’ve said, games can surely promote anger, which simply can’t be argued against. The key is how and why this happens. Simply put, it’s because games try to stop people doing what they want to do, and this kind of barrier is a very common trigger in promoting irritation and aggression, within a game or in our lives in general.
When someone plays a game, they want to win and/or proceed to the next level or along in the story. That’s usually the whole point. Most games, however, take steps to prevent this, such as enemies that try to kill you, puzzles that hinder your progress and other gameplay mechanics. This is what we play the game for, to be challenged and tested, but naturally, being stopped or prevented from achieving goals is upsetting. This is what we overcome when be face any challenge, be it a game, a task at work or even playing the lottery.
By their very nature, games don’t want you to win, otherwise there’d be no challenge. We play games to be challenged, so we can overcome problems and prove our skill. Without this challenge and the possible frustration that comes with it, what would be the point? You may as well simply watch a movie. So bring on the difficulty and let’s embrace a bit of anger and aggression; it’s a healthy outlet. Just keep it confined to the couch.