Video Game Violence Essay -- Social Issues

It seems like everything coming out about video games is bad. A student tried to kill his fellow classmates, and he was an avid Call of Duty player. A study has been released that proves that playing video games will turn you into a criminal. The many benefits of games and gaming, such as their possible applications to education and their ability to tell more complex stories than other forms of media, are almost universally ignored. I know better, though. Between the lifetime I’ve spent playing and loving video games, and the articles I’ve found, I can tell you that video games do not cause violent behavior or thoughts. First of all, to assess the opposite claim: video games, especially popular ones, tend to be violent, using fighting as a tool to provide a player with challenges. This typically involves shooting opponents to death, though many games set in different times allow the player to use swords, bows, and a variety of different medieval weapons. Such violent games are also often portrayed in the first person, in order to increase the immersion of the game world. With all this in mind, it’s argued, there certainly must be some sort of effect on the people playing these games. Being exposed to violence in such a personal and increasingly realistic manner has to make people more violent and aggressive.(Bickham) The only problem is that’s not the case. Studies have tested this theory extensively, and overall, the verdict is that we’re not sure. Studies have been released that both defended and refuted the â€Å"video games cause violence† argument. However, it’s interesting to note some things regarding the studies. One, the metric used to gauge the aggression of the participants is unreliable at best; a person punching a Boz... ...whole, including engaging and interesting stories and opportunities to better educate students. Works Cited Bickham, David S. "Testimony before Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Property Rights." (2006). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Web. 7 Mar. 2006. Ferguson, Christopher J. "Video Games: The Latest Scapegoat for Violence." Chronicle of Higher Education 53 (2007). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Web. 7 Mar. 2012. Kushner, David. "Off Target." Electronic Gaming Monthly Aug. 2007: 12-16. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Web. 7 Mar. 2012. Portnow, James, Daniel Floyd, and Allison Theus. "Extra Credits." - PATV. Penny Arcade, Inc. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. Wilson, Lee. "Getting It Wrong: Slaying Myths about Video Games." Technology and Learning 15 Sept. 2007. Opposing Viewpoints. Web. 7 Mar. 2012.