Video Games lead to violence... an EW report - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

MooglePorn · 12-04-2002, 10:50 PM

I'm not going to paste the whole article from Entertainment Weekly here for obvious reasons, but a few quick quotes...

Quote:

...people who play violent games for as little as 20 minutes exhibit aggressive thoughts and actions and less of a willingness to help others

Quote:

...the gaming industry may one day be held liable for marketing violence to youngsters the same way tobacco companies got nailed for Joe Camel.

rolisme · 12-04-2002, 11:38 PM

Do you have a link to read the whole article? Makes for an interesting read

MooglePorn · 12-04-2002, 11:53 PM

I don't see it on their web-site, I read it in the latest issue...

rolisme · 12-05-2002, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MooglePorn
I don't see it on their web-site, I read it in the latest issue...

Darn now I have to go buy it

IKEA_boy · 12-05-2002, 03:31 AM

They've been saying this since Mortal Kombat came out. (Probably before that even. Maybe Doom era?) Since then games just get more violent and more realistic. As for the Gaming Industry / Joe Camel situation... I don't think that'll happen.

First of all, on a personal note, Joe Camel never made me want to smoke.

Second, I think the fact that parents have more control over what games they play than if they smoke. Smoking is something done outside of the house where you won't get caught. Gaming is generally done in the living room with parents walking by every few minutes. Sure some kids play games in the privacy of their bedroom or what not but still, 90% of the time it's the parents who purchase these games. It's their responsibility to be informed.

Another personal note, I believe most kids (and adults) can play violent video games and not feel 'angry' or 'aggresive' or any of these other buzz words to get the public riled up. I also believe kids see more violence on TV (watch the news for five minutes

) and in movies than video games. The fact that you interact with games adds another variable in the mix but IMHO it's a small factor in the big picture.

Ruined · 12-05-2002, 03:42 AM

I wonder if the brilliant people who conducted this study ever thought for a second that those with aggressive thoughts and social ineptness might just use video games as a coping mechanism or escape from reality. Then again, if they stated that, their report wouldn't get much attention in the media.

MooglePorn · 12-05-2002, 04:23 AM

If you read the article it was pretty stupid research anyway... they had kids playing different games, then started an arguement or something to see how they would react... the one's playing violent games supposedly reacted violently in the arguement...

Joe Michaels · 12-05-2002, 04:30 AM

Righhhhttttt.

So, what made Bin Laden, Adolph Hitler, Charles Manson, and John Wayne Gacey to name a few, violent? There were no video games to blame THEIR violent behavior on.

Video Games makes a person commit a violent act as much as it makes people turn into pro athletes overnight.

What about movies, They were violent long before games and movies have ACTUAL people not CGI or pixelated images.

Sue the makers of Lone Ranger and gunsmoke for kids growing up on playing Cowboys and Indians.

BeanBandit · 12-05-2002, 10:24 AM

From a psychological point of view, there have been no studies that have determined a causal link between violent video games and violence in children. There have been many anecdotal reports however (that appear in the mainstream media every few months) that describe a correlation between aggressive kids and teens and videogames, which is statistically insignificant in itself. Correlation does not imply causality.

Quote:

If you read the article it was pretty stupid research anyway... they had kids playing different games, then started an arguement or something to see how they would react... the one's playing violent games supposedly reacted violently in the arguement...

And how did they control for other variables like school, self esteem, parental involvement, etc?

Maybe I'll do my undergrad thesis on this, to dispel the myth once and for all.

Ruined · 12-05-2002, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BeanBandit
Maybe I'll do my undergrad thesis on this, to dispel the myth once and for all.

You better not, I'm doing it for grad!

egman · 12-05-2002, 03:50 PM

Man, I am really getting sick of the media harping on this. The irony of it all is the fact that media itself has some part in perpetuating the aggressive behaviour if indeed there was a connection.

Video games still get add time on the TV and in magazines. Also, the fight for ratings and audiences in the last few years have caused print and visual media to become even more sensational and I find that one could do worse by just sitting their child in front of the TV set. At least with the game the child is not letting his/her mind go waste.

And I really get annoyed when they try to foster these crappy studies on us as evidence. If any of their staff had studied statistics in college, they might realize that there are too many confounding varibles to make a real correalation between violence and video games. I don't want to hear about this again unless the next study that pops up was made with a statiscally signifcant part of the population with well thought out controls to filter out varibles such as predesposition or the natural rush of adrenaline that might come from some exciting game play.

When that happens though, I think a lot of the doom sayers are going to shit themselves when they realize that there is still no strong realtion between violence and games except in those situations where the gamer has issues with mental health.

DVDriven · 12-05-2002, 04:58 PM

I saw this issue on the newsstand yesterday. As soon as I saw an old, recycled image of Mortal Kombat (with pixelated blood spewing) in the article, I knew all credibility was shot to hell.

BTW, loved the gift-giving ideas for the gamer.

IKEA_boy · 12-05-2002, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DVDriven
BTW, loved the gift-giving ideas for the gamer.

Wait a minute... was this the same issue they had GTA:Vice City as the number one game to give this holiday season?

egman · 12-05-2002, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IKEA_boy
Wait a minute... was this the same issue they had GTA:Vice City as the number one game to give this holiday season?

Do you see what I mean? How can they do a study to support the relationship between violence and games, but at the same time promote an obviously adult game like Vice City, even if it's done indirectly?

***1138*** · 12-05-2002, 07:10 PM

brian · 12-05-2002, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1138

Look everyone! 1138 is bored by reality, because he spends too much time playing fantasy videogames!

MooglePorn · 12-05-2002, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Wait a minute... was this the same issue they had GTA:Vice City as the number one game to give this holiday season?

Yes indeedy... but they also have Spider-Man at number 5 or so, so they obviosly weren't paying much attention to it... "hey intern guy, pick ten games off the top of your head, I need a new piece for the big com-putter game article!"

IKEA_boy · 12-05-2002, 11:05 PM

Here's another:

NFL reviewing excessive violence in video games

An excert:

Quote:

One of the most flagrant games is "NFL Blitz 2003," a cross between football and wrestling, produced by Midway Games. In "Blitz," gamers can end every play by body slamming or kicking the groin of their already-tackled opponents. The NFL is in on-going discussions with the game maker, Holtzman said.

MooglePorn · 12-06-2002, 12:21 AM

That's the NFL protecting it's image, not parents outrage, but it's still stupid...

12-04-2002, 11:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
rolisme Actor Join Date: Feb 2002	Do you have a link to read the whole article? Makes for an interesting read __________________ If you don't like my opinion, don't ask the question. If you never asked the question, just ignore my post. "A gift consists not in what is done or given, but in the intention of the giver or doer." - Seneca 55 BC-39 AD

12-05-2002, 03:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	I wonder if the brilliant people who conducted this study ever thought for a second that those with aggressive thoughts and social ineptness might just use video games as a coping mechanism or escape from reality. Then again, if they stated that, their report wouldn't get much attention in the media. __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

12-05-2002, 04:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
DVDriven Actor Join Date: May 2001 Location: 1020 Palm Drive, Cocoa Beach, FL	I saw this issue on the newsstand yesterday. As soon as I saw an old, recycled image of Mortal Kombat (with pixelated blood spewing) in the article, I knew all credibility was shot to hell. BTW, loved the gift-giving ideas for the gamer. __________________ "The only ism Hollywood believes in is plagiarism." - Dorothy Parker

12-05-2002, 07:10 PM	#15 (permalink)
*1138* Producer/Admin Careful, or I'll ban myself... Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	__________________ Administrator I got a rock and roll band. I got a rock and roll life. I got a rock and roll girlfriend. And another ex-wife.

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12-04-2002, 11:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	I don't see it on their web-site, I read it in the latest issue...

12-05-2002, 03:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
IKEA_boy Director Emeritus ~~Persista~~ Persistent Student Join Date: Oct 2001	They've been saying this since Mortal Kombat came out. (Probably before that even. Maybe Doom era?) Since then games just get more violent and more realistic. As for the Gaming Industry / Joe Camel situation... I don't think that'll happen. First of all, on a personal note, Joe Camel never made me want to smoke. Second, I think the fact that parents have more control over what games they play than if they smoke. Smoking is something done outside of the house where you won't get caught. Gaming is generally done in the living room with parents walking by every few minutes. Sure some kids play games in the privacy of their bedroom or what not but still, 90% of the time it's the parents who purchase these games. It's their responsibility to be informed. Another personal note, I believe most kids (and adults) can play violent video games and not feel 'angry' or 'aggresive' or any of these other buzz words to get the public riled up. I also believe kids see more violence on TV (watch the news for five minutes ) and in movies than video games. The fact that you interact with games adds another variable in the mix but IMHO it's a small factor in the big picture.

12-05-2002, 04:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	If you read the article it was pretty stupid research anyway... they had kids playing different games, then started an arguement or something to see how they would react... the one's playing violent games supposedly reacted violently in the arguement...

12-05-2002, 04:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
Joe Michaels Join Date: Jun 2000	Righhhhttttt. So, what made Bin Laden, Adolph Hitler, Charles Manson, and John Wayne Gacey to name a few, violent? There were no video games to blame THEIR violent behavior on. Video Games makes a person commit a violent act as much as it makes people turn into pro athletes overnight. What about movies, They were violent long before games and movies have ACTUAL people not CGI or pixelated images. Sue the makers of Lone Ranger and gunsmoke for kids growing up on playing Cowboys and Indians.

12-05-2002, 03:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
egman Actor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Lawrenceville, GA	Man, I am really getting sick of the media harping on this. The irony of it all is the fact that media itself has some part in perpetuating the aggressive behaviour if indeed there was a connection. Video games still get add time on the TV and in magazines. Also, the fight for ratings and audiences in the last few years have caused print and visual media to become even more sensational and I find that one could do worse by just sitting their child in front of the TV set. At least with the game the child is not letting his/her mind go waste. And I really get annoyed when they try to foster these crappy studies on us as evidence. If any of their staff had studied statistics in college, they might realize that there are too many confounding varibles to make a real correalation between violence and video games. I don't want to hear about this again unless the next study that pops up was made with a statiscally signifcant part of the population with well thought out controls to filter out varibles such as predesposition or the natural rush of adrenaline that might come from some exciting game play. When that happens though, I think a lot of the doom sayers are going to shit themselves when they realize that there is still no strong realtion between violence and games except in those situations where the gamer has issues with mental health.

12-06-2002, 12:21 AM	#19 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	That's the NFL protecting it's image, not parents outrage, but it's still stupid...