People say games encourage killing...

I say they keep me from killing...

from JoeUser Forums
In anticipation of my getting Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for Christmas(Well, at least I'm pretty sure I'll get it) I decided to put the game violence thing into perspective for people that think they encourage violence. As you know society is worrisome, popularity issues, self esteem problems, and assholes inhabit this place we call Earth. Now, if there weren't so many laws, lots of people would be slaughtered by others and most rightfully so, but that lands you some jail and rape time. Now, in video games there are no "real world" consequences for your actions so you can blow the hell out of people for no apparent reason and feel good about the entire annihilation of dozens of people therefore helping to satisfy your bloodthirsty rage at real people. I believe if you blow the shit out of polygons then you'll feel much better and probably won't climb a clocktower with a sniper rifle and start picking off pedestrians.

BOOM! and that's all that I have to say on that topic....

~Zoo
36,630 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
That's very "intreging" Shaun... : P Just kidding, you make a good point.

~Sam
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think the whole thing is silly, I have played every shootem' up and killem' all type game around since the bard's tale on the comodore64 and I haven't killed anyone. It's just a matter of knowing what is real life and what its a game..........
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
They have taken this to it's logical extreme here with Boong-ga Boong-ga! The exciting Japanese game of digital (and I don't mean the computing sort of digital) sodomy! Take out your frustrations in the arcade! Funny I wonder why no one is saying that this causes people to run rampant int he streets jamming fingers up other peoples asses
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have to agree with you, Zoo. If I am really mad, instead of kicking my dog I blow up some polygons in a video game. It actually stops violence.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
I agree too, nowdays people just don't want to be responsible for their actions so they have to blame it on something.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Blowing things up in games instead of real life only works so long as people can tell the difference between the two. When they can't, well then what is to stop them from carrying their violent tendencies from one to the other? Such people need help, yes, but will they get it before they kill someone? Tune in for the eleven o'clock news and find out
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh, this is awesome...I have 6 supporters. It only took like 10 minutes to get'em too. Hmm...I think that's a record for me....I wonder how many I can wrangle up until this article has its run....

Let's fight the good fight, Brothers(and Sisters)!

~Zoo
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
hee....hee. We should hold a rally or something.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
I heard something similar from my grandmother when I was in high school. She had pretty bad dementia (it's like alzheimer's) and couldn't remember one moment to the next. When she was visiting, and I saw how shitty my parents were being to her, I decided to kidnap her for a few days. Took her to movies, parties, the arcade, got her high with my friends, etc. She had no ability to narc on me and seemed to be having the time of her life. Anyway, we were at the arcade and I was teaching her how to play Virtua Cop. She thought it was the greatest thing ever and started insisting that all kids should play it, "You'll never feel the need to shoot a real person again!" So make that 8 supporters, including a doddering old lady.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
In a way the game promoting violence....well it's the persons choice to play the game or watch a person play it. So if they become violent from playing it, that's their own fault. I really don't think the games are purposely trying to promote violence though.

insigtful zoo!

~carebear~
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
The exciting Japanese game of digital (and I don't mean the computing sort of digital) sodomy!
End of quote


There was an Australian rugby league player a few years back who could have used this to get rid of his frustrations....

Link
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think that video games such as Grand Theft Auto definatly promote violence, but people aren't going to stop buying them because they are just too great. so whats the point in fighting? the testerone flow (eh, mostly at least) on this planet is in love with video games, so why bother trying to tell them that they promote violence? they think they control everything anyways. always has been that way and frankly, it probably will always be that way.

but thats life!

(this wasn't meant to be a back stab or anything... I'm just saying. not insults, just my thoughts.)

~Liv
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
So... before Pong was invented, everybody roamed the streets mindlessly slaughtering each other, because they had no safe release for their uncontrollable mudering urges?

You get good at what you practice. If you practice filling your mind with thoughts and images of violence, you'll become an expert at thinking of violence.

You can't tell me that filling a 15 year old's head with GTA will have the same effect on that kid and his commmunity as filling his head with Philosophy.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
There was an article in People magazine recently, describing how a troubled teen who spent a lot of time playing GTA and similar games had gone from stealing a car, being awoken inside by the police, being transported to the station, stealing an officer's gun, to shooting and killing everyone in the building (4 total, I believe).

His attorneys wanted to push the "video game defense" and claim that when was woken in the stolen car, he wasn't thinking clearly and acted on the first thing that came to mind...his extensive knowledge of how things go down in GTA.

There's been no research (to my knowledge) that can definitely link video game violence to real life violence. In fact, studies have shown some of the benefits of gaming to be increased problem solving skills and eye-hand coordination.

Blaming video games for acts of violence is much like blaming guns for acts of violence. Most people would not accept "the gun made me do it" as a defense, and neither should they accept "the video game made me do it."

Violent video games may be in poor taste, but many average working people use them as an outlet to relieve stress and aggression.

In the end, violent people will choose violence. Non-violent people may enjoy the cathartic thrill of a violent game, but in the end, they will not choose violence.

We cannot blame objects for the actions of human beings.