Is Violence in Games an Issue?

Well. This is certainly a controversial topic. Some say violence is the end all evil, some say not so much. Well I thought I would state my opinion on this matter. The real reason is the fact that I just bought Saints Row (for 20 bucks). I also have some opinions about GTA.

 

The main thing is people think that violence in games is influencing youth to do bad things, that they would not have if not seen by playing the game. I purchased Saints Row, not to kill people in bad ways, blow up stuff, and to cause rucus, but I purchased it to have fun. Is that not the reason we purchase all our games?

 

The other side of this argument states that video games are not causing youth to do bad things. I agree with this argument naturaly. I use this example. Take a look at Germany. In Germany a game like Gears will be banned due to violence, but a game based on porn would get a E rating. The reason is over in Germany violence is bad, and porn, sex, drugs, are not so much. It is the environment we grow up in, the media. The culture. When we grew up media would always portray death and killing as acceptable forms of entertainment. We were told that that is ok. Over in Germany the same went for them and nudity, it was acceptable.

 

Look at movies like Hostel and Saw. They are seen as acceptable, yet things like GTA are not. Why, people say it is becuase they are interactive, we do them. When I am playing a game I do everything in my power not to kill innocent people. I think that when we play games like shooters, we do not play them becuase our love of killing things, but rather a sense of empowerment. Hown many of you have ever gone in to a game saying "ya, Im a bad mofo, ima kill all these innocent people because I like it" If you ask me, not many.

 

This issue will never end. Why, people do not understand it. Parents do not want responsability for their kids so they blame it on the media. What I find sad is that people say all this is bad and yet there has not been one proven case of a guy or girl freaking out, and killing people for no reason because they saw it in a game. Well thats my opinion, whats yours?