Video Game Violence: An AC Experiment and Discussion on Validity

Video games often get a bad reputation. They are often seen as violent, unintelligent, and degrading to many people and values. Anti-video game advocates, like Jack Thompson, see video games as aggressive, racist, sexist, and perverted. Movies no longer have this negative stigma attached to it. Movies like Die Hard and Rambo, which used to be subject to ridicule due to their violence, are now considered not only safe, but many critics of the movies when they first came out are now fans of them. While talking to people about violence and other depravity in video games, I've found that there are a few common themes in people's choices.

1. Younger men I've talked to (Age 29 and below)...

-Tend to believe that violence in video games have no effect on people's lives, neither causing similar tendencies in real life, or causing any other negative effects.

-Tend to believe that anyone that thinks that there are effects are either unintelligent, or have an ulterior motive.

-Play video games, or at least appreciate video games for their entertainment and artistic values.

-Tend to play the violent games which are subject to ridicule.

2. Younger women I've talked to (Age 29 and below)...

-Tend to believe that certain people, especially those whom have other violent or otherwise negative experiences in life, can have negative reactions to video games.

-Tend to believe that there needs to be more research on the subject before any decisions of censorship are made.

-Tend to play video games, but more in a social setting, or only if a male friend has a video console system.

-Tend to occasionally play games subject to ridicule, but more often play puzzle or simulation games.

3. Older men I've talked to (Age 30+)

-Tend to be divided between people who have played video games (or still do play video games) regularly, and people who do not play video games.

-Tend to believe that negative tendencies are because children are susceptible to suggestion, and see no repercussions in video games.

-Tend to want some sort way to allow adults to play adult themed games, and let children play children themed games.