Overtime, it is evident the gaming industry has become extremely successful in which people have found themselves immersed within gaming. “In the past 30 years, video games have had a major impact on how people spend their leisure time.” Video games have developed significantly and have become very prevalent especially amongst younger individuals; one of the titles most favoured could be described as Grand Theft Auto. “The title sold a record 609,000 copies on its first day of release, generating an estimated £24.4m ($48.5m)” exhibiting its success.
“Violent video games are popular with male and female children, adolescents, and adults. They have been successfully marketed to youth and are easily obtained regardless of their age.” This infers violent video games are successful amongst younger audiences, as the institutions are able to appeal by effectively promoting through Dumbing down, in order to allow all audiences to comprehend the concept of the game. Therefore this could perhaps cause concern due to the fact all ages are able to understand the content despite the level of violence explored.
Moral panics have also existed throughout the years regarding the extreme violence in video games. In 1999, parents were more concerned than ever as, “the nation was shocked by a school shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado/There had already been some publicity over the amount of violence in video games/ The media emphasized that the Columbine shooters played these games, and society luminaries drew connections between the nature of the shootings and the games.” This led to the issue of violence in video games being expressed as society became horrified by the disastrous consequences of the influences of video games, inevitably creating moral panic.
During the 1970’s Video games were first made available; Pacman was very popular whereby you would consume pills and ghosts in order to collect points. Within modern times this wouldn’t be considered violent, however in the past this was observed as the first game to contain destruction of some sort. Through improvements in technology, the gaming industry has been able to take advantage of resources, which previously were unavailable resulting in simple ideas such as shapes etc. These advancements have led Sony and Nintendo to create increased realism of violence and gore, “It has been estimated that up to 89% of games contain some violent content.” Furthermore, “violence is one of the most popular forms of entertainment” therefore it would be difficult for game companies to ignore this as they are designed in order to fulfil popularity. Games are also becoming increasingly violent as the thirst for blood and gore, “Satisfies some basic human needs. The adrenalin rush, the satisfactions of imagination, fantasy, and vicarious adventure, probably explain why millions of nonviolent people enjoy violent entertainment.” Audiences will continue to desire more and for it to be diverse and this is why game industry continues to make games more violent.
Following the rise in violence depicted through video games such as Grand Theft Auto, concerns have raised regarding the psychological impacts of the game, which could result in individuals more prone and influenced to display violent thoughts and aggressive behaviours. “Studies of children exposed to violence have shown that they can become: “immune” or numb to the horror of violence, imitate the violence they see, and show more aggressive behavior with greater exposure to violence.” This further relates to the increasing violence as the “exposure” causes game players to mimic the actions in reference to the Copycat theory. This could be seen within, “A teenager allegedly killed a taxi driver in a bloody frenzy, re-enacting scenes from the blockbuster video game. /Police who caught the 18-year-old at the scene said he confessed to having planned the attack to find out if robbery was as easy as depicted in the violent game.” This conveys the influences of violent video games, especially GTA which led to this particular crime, which highlights an imitation, causing concern as members of the public have been killed due to the impacts of the game.
However, to some extent video games could be beneficial as they enable young users to gain a variety of skills that could perhaps be implemented within the real world, these include the ability to, “Improve hand-eye co-ordination and fine motor skills.” Through GTA these skills are enhanced within the driving and controlling aspect and would be useful in the long term. In addition, “Video games can stimulate learning of facts and skills such as strategic thinking, creativity, cooperation and innovative thinking, which are important skills in the information society.” This reiterates the diverse skills encouraged through the evolving technology and conceivably contradicts the concern towards violent video games.
Nevertheless, it could be argued violent video games may lead to excessive playing, it was observed, “The average child 8 to 12 plays 13 hours of video games per week, while teens age 13 to 18 year play 14 hours of video games per week.” From this, concern would be highlighted as children and young adults are becoming increasingly consumed by video games, which could inevitably lead to addictions of some sort. Also, as the children become older, the weekly hours begin to increase which could be associated to the fact they begin to understand the violent aspects to greater detail. Severe cases of addiction have caused, “Video game addicts tend to become isolated, dropping out of their social networks and giving up other hobbies.” This reinforces the detrimental aspects of the violence within games like GTA, they have a serious impact on the social lives of individuals as it consumes their lives and withdraws them from their normal interests. Moreover, further worry intensifies as, “Playing a violent video game can increase aggression, and when a player keeps thinking about the game, the potential for aggression can last for as long as 24 hours, according to a study in the current Social Psychological and Personality Science.” Through this it is interpreted the dangers of addiction in which the mind becomes preoccupied and fixated on the game allowing them to be vulnerable to the violence increasing their possible aggression, therefore this is extremely harmful as GTA and other games can affect the psychological state of mind.
Games have had the impact whereby the“Gamers also report that they play games to escape things like family or personal problems.” Therefore the game allows the gamers a sense of identification and escapism relating to the theory of Blumber and Katz. In which the media theory is uses and gratifications therefore highlighting the theory within the context of the game. This is perhaps why video games are so popular,as it permits young people to escape the real world and become another character, forgetting about their lives.However this has a negative consequence, as “There is a mechanism, usually called ‘identification’, which makes viewers of ‘violence’ vulnerable to it – such that it thereby becomes a ‘message’ by which they are invaded and persuaded.” This therefore reinforces the idea that video games are harmful to the human mind and this is then controlling their ideas regarding violence.
Conversely, we should be concerned as the violence in GTA could be defined as threatening and brutal, the large amount of exposure causes reactions within users such that,“Kids become attracted to it and more numb to its consequence.” The regularity of playing GTA would cause game players to become desensitized to the horror of actual violence as it is consistently referred to within the game, therefore doesn’t seem extraordinary or shocking. Furthermore, this desensitization could cause confusion of virtual reality, as players may be unable to distinguish between fantasy andreality, as there are aspects of normality within the game. Studies highlight, “the boundary between fantasy and reality violence, which is a clear line for most adults, can become very blurred for vulnerable children. Kids steeped in the culture of violence do become desensitized to it and more capable of committing it themselves.” From this it could be construed, violence depicted through video games have a worse effect on younger players as it has the ability to alter their thoughts. Thus allowing them to be desensitized to the violence and possibly more able to proceed within the violent behaviour as it is considered normal.
Some may argue that games are played in order to release frustration, therefore are used as a means of stress relief. This would be considered extremely suitable as the video games act as a substitute to really displaying anger. “People who are likely to commit violent crimes might be able to get their violence "fix" by playing video games instead of committing crimes.” The positive aspects of video games are identified in this as the new technology has the ability to reduce the violent behaviours conducted by young adults, which could decrease crime to some extent. The use of “fix” connotes a reference to perhaps addiction, which signifies it is difficult to inhibit the perseverance of violent manner, yet the video game has the ability to control this, reducing the effects on others or society.
In comparison,“Video games had a corrupting influence on the youth of the day. Video games were accused of glorifying violence and encouraging anti-social behaviour.” There is considerably a rising concern towards the negative ideologies and values being taught through the ever-growing video game industry. This could refer to the hypodermic syringe theory, which indicatesthe power of the media, being able to influences the views, in this case, of game players through the use of violence. In regards to GTA, the negative ideologies presented would be the way in which dangerous actions are rewarded, such as obtaining money for committing crimes or participating in violent tasks involving murder, drugs and other illegal conduct. To add, "If you shoot somebody in one of these games, you don't go to jail, you don't get penalized in some way — you get extra points!"… But they do use more aggressive language, they do use more aggressive images.” The use of “shoot” highlight the extent to which violence is observed and is not punished, the fact “extra points” are given may entice game players to begin to associate violence with pleasure, issuing concern. Additionally, “Women are often portrayed as weaker characters that are helpless or sexually provocative.” This can be implied within GTA as women are depicted as undignified through their jobs and clothing, which connote their degrading behavior. This would be damaging to game players minds as their views and opinions of women may begin to alter as they unhelpfully objectify women through games.
There is a concerning issues surrounding the violence of video games. The audiences are in favour of playing more violent and realistic video games. Furthermore the gamer is absorbed in realistic conditions and are further rewarded for their behaviours. This suggests that gamers become used to the idea of killing people and is perpetuated and enforces these values, which make people react differently in contrast to how they would react without playing violent video games. The other issues involve parents who are less likely to actively participate in video game playing results in them being relatively unaware of the kind of images seen in these games. Therefore children are able to play games which are inappropriate for them which conclude of sex and violence. And many views and opinions have been in regards to the negativity the games bring and do not take into consideration the benefits it has. There is little evidence between the relationship of violent video games and behaviour therefore suggesting there is no need for the audience to panic. However the media overstress how violent video games are bad and this creates aggression, which then worries parents. The benefits that video games bring such as better hand eye co ordination. Other skills gained from the game such as team work can be applied in real life situations and is an important to acquire in your life therefore by playing games you are enhancing valuable qualities which would be beneficial in the long run. Furthermore it allows players to think strategically which are important skills within society.
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