Do games make you do bad things?
Private_Snoball
Dover AFB, DE, USA
Hello there,
I'm doing a project in my senior year of high school that is researching the correlation between video games and violence. My current stance and the stance of many others is that there is no correlation between the two. I've talked to some psychologists who agree it does not, but if a person wants to kill, they may mimic the actions of a game they have played.
I might even try to contact Jack Thompson...maybe.
This is where you come in, I'd like to be able to use you guys as a source for my project. If there are any gamers out there or anyone will to respond, please answer some questions for me.
1. Do you play video games?
2. What is your favorite genre?
3. How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)?
4. What are your 3 favorite games?
5. Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....)
6. Do games you play involve violence of any kind?
7. Do you consider yourself a violent person?
8. What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games?
9. How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California?
10. What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine?
All information you place in here will be confidential, obviously I don't know your names, but if I see something I would like to use as far as quotes go, I'll PM and ask for your permission.
I'm doing a project in my senior year of high school that is researching the correlation between video games and violence. My current stance and the stance of many others is that there is no correlation between the two. I've talked to some psychologists who agree it does not, but if a person wants to kill, they may mimic the actions of a game they have played.
I might even try to contact Jack Thompson...maybe.
This is where you come in, I'd like to be able to use you guys as a source for my project. If there are any gamers out there or anyone will to respond, please answer some questions for me.
1. Do you play video games?
2. What is your favorite genre?
3. How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)?
4. What are your 3 favorite games?
5. Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....)
6. Do games you play involve violence of any kind?
7. Do you consider yourself a violent person?
8. What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games?
9. How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California?
10. What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine?
All information you place in here will be confidential, obviously I don't know your names, but if I see something I would like to use as far as quotes go, I'll PM and ask for your permission.
0
Comments
I play far to many Video Games
2. What is your favorite genre?
RTS
3. How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)?
T, M
4. What are your 3 favorite games?
BF2, BFME, AOE series
5. Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....)
No not really
6. Do games you play involve violence of any kind?
Yes
7. Do you consider yourself a violent person?
NO
8. What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games?
I believe there are a few games out there that do push the line, as PC/ Console gaming is now bigger than movies, I would say it does cause a huge impact on the younger community, with violence, killing, etc....
9. How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California?
I believe it is a step in the right direction, I mean you don't see 10 year olds buying Playboy
10. What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine?
Just plain stupid! You cannot just claim 1 game, as TV, Gaming etc all are sources of getting ideas of killing...
FPS
M
1.Half-life 2
2.Half-life
3.Deus Ex
Sort of In deus ex you can chose how to be.
Yes
Nope
There a great form of entertainment. (Theres nothing better then owning your friends in a good friendly game of counter strike).
Edit: I misread this I agree this is a good thing.
Hes an idiot.... or a politician.
Humm they should invent a rating system..
Indubitably
2. What is your favorite genre?
FPS, RTS, Turnbased stratigy
3. How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)?
M
4. What are your 3 favorite games?
System Shock 2
Heroes of Might and Magic 3
Half Life
5. Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....)
No
6. Do games you play involve violence of any kind?
OH YEA!
7. Do you consider yourself a violent person?
...mmm define violent... no
8. What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games?
Exagerated facts of life
9. How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California?
to minors? a good thing, its like that in VA, i got carded buying Diablo 2
10. What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine?
absurd. just plain absurd.
Video games are no more violent than blockbuster movies in theatres. Furthermore, anyone who is already violent enough to hurt or kill someone has just as much of a chance and opportunity to mimick a movie as they do a video game.
The problem is, more people watch movies than those who play video games, so the latter gets labled as a meathod for creating violence out of thin air.
I don't believe 4 year olds should be playing GTA 3, but It's not my right to tell others how they should raise their kids. The fact is, 8 year old kids don't have access to the money needed to buy a video game or game console/computer, without a parent/legal guardian's intervention required somewhere along the line. If the parents don't want their kids playing these games, they should either stop buying them for their kids, or learn to raise their own children and monitor how they spend their time, rather than forcing Joe Schmoe down at the local Blockbuster store to raise them for you.
I have never met a minor who was able to buy a Playstation 2, let alone a violent video game, without their parents either:
A: Giving the kid the money to make such a purchase.
B: Driving the kid to the store to buy the system.
C: Helping the kid hook up the system to a TV to enable him or her to use the console to play games.
D: Allowing the kid to use the system in their homes.
Any parent willing to do any of the above ought to be willing to monitor what their own child does with the system in question. If I don't have the right to just walk into their home and eat food from their fridge, then I don't have the right to tell them or their children how to live.
[/QUOTE] He's a polotician and likes mindless crowds of people to empower him, and is willing to tell them anything they want to hear in order to keep them listening and rally behind him.
2. What is your favorite genre? FPS, RTS too.
3. How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)? E-M.
4. What are your 3 favorite games? Command and Conquer Generals, Battlefield 2, GTA series.
5. Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....). Not required to win.
6. Do games you play involve violence of any kind? Yes
7. Do you consider yourself a violent person? Not usually, but push me the wrong way...
8. What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games? I think video game violence is acceptable.
9. How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California? It has a very valid purpose. Aren't there similar laws across the US? Really its up to the sales staff, and the parents to enforce.
10. What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine? Completely rediculous. Why Doom and not Rambo or any other violent movies? Jack Thompson is a MORON. So is Hilery Clinton.
If you're going to call someone a moron, spelling their name right will probably help your cause
Yes
First person shooters
I have no idea what any of those ratings mean (I'm from the UK) but I would imagine most of the games I play are 18+
Morrowind, battlefield 2, Unreal Tournament
No
yes
Not really, I think anyone is capable of violence, but I'm also capable of understanding the moral and legal consequences of violence.
Violence is a part of human nature, since video games are an art form (just like films or books) they're nothing more than a reflection of human nature and the violence contained therein. Video games don't make us more violent, we're already violent and video games just offer us a glimpse into our darker nature. If you have no trouble discerning reality from fiction then video games are nothing more than entertainment. If you do have a problem with reality then films are just as likely to become an inspiration for a violent act as video games.
It's a good thing. Video games should have the same restrictions placed on them as films.
Yes
What is your favorite genre?
RTS, FPS and Simulations
How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)?
T, M, Ao
What are your 3 favorite games?
GTA, NBA Live, Battlefield (1942, Vietnam and 2)
Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....)
Some (more than 1 or 2)
Do games you play involve violence of any kind?
Yes
Do you consider yourself a violent person?
A bit short tempered but not violent.
What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games?
I'm perfectly fine with it.
How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California?
Bad decision with good intentions
What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine?
Ridiculous.
Does anyone ever think that some people that commit violence "cause of games", were generally ****ed up to begin with?
Yes.
2. What is your favorite genre?
Action/Adventure/Strategy.
3. How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)?
Erm, 15 or 18 normally, lots are U though.
4. What are your 3 favorite games?
Operation Flashpoint, Virtual Sex Girl, Morrowind, SWAT 4.
5. Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....)
Nope.
6. Do games you play involve violence of any kind?
Yep.
7. Do you consider yourself a violent person?
No.
8. What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games?
It would seem cheesy without it depending on the genre.
9. How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California?
Minors? That would be 21 and under in the US wouldn't it? I think it's more accurate here in the UK with a 15 rating.
10. What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine?
I think he's one spinter short of a plank. I think I'm with most people on this that these were violent people to start with, it's just more people trying to shift the blame to anyone but themselves.
All information you place in here will be confidential, obviously I don't know your names, but if I see something I would like to use as far as quotes go, I'll PM and ask for your permission.
To be honest, going from things I have seen from this "Jack Thompson" person, he seems like he is utterly senile so I wouldn't waste any time with him, heh.
Yes.
2. What is your favorite genre?
Fantasy/MMO and First Person Shooter.
3. How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)?
T/M.
4. What are your 3 favorite games?
Half-Life 2, Quake 2, World of Warcraft.
5. Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....)
Yes, if I'm playing GTA.
6. Do games you play involve violence of any kind?
Plenty.
7. Do you consider yourself a violent person?
Not in the slightest.
8. What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games?
Proper parenting and good communication amidst the tender developmental years of a child can, early on, teach them to separate the media from real life. From that point on, it becomes a staple of relaxation, and an outlet for frustrations rather than an impetus for destruction.
9. How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California?
I think it should be up to the parents to decide what their children can and cannot own and watch. I do not think there should be any laws legislating parenting in this fashion.
10. What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine?
I'd say he's a bit of a loon.. Excuse me while I go train to load, arm and use a Plasma Rifle to decimate my alma mater.
Yes.
2. What is your favorite genre?
No particular favorite.
3. How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)?
M
4. What are your 3 favorite games?
Half-Life 2, Morrowind, Age of Mythology
5. Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....)
Many of my favorite games allow that capability.
6. Do games you play involve violence of any kind?
Yes.
7. Do you consider yourself a violent person?
No.
8. What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games?
I find that violence in video games is often times critical to the plot or to the game's verisimilitude.
9. How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California?
I feel that it is an unnecessary law and a waste of Kalifornia taxpayer dollars, as the video game industry already self-regulates with the ESRB rating system.
10. What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine?
I think that this is a ridiculous assumption. In my opinion, the deviant spark has to already exist in a person in order for such acts to be committed. I feel that video games are much more valuable as a way for normal people to relax and enjoy themselves, as well as to flex their imaginations. I think that Jack Thompson is misguided and ill-informed on the topic - and I believe that Tack Jhompson and those who agree with him are confusing correlation with causality.
Was I right? Or was I right?
Yes.
2. What is your favorite genre?
FPS/RTS, though FPS gives me motion sickness now :bawling:
3. How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)?
T/M
4. What are your 3 favorite games?
Command and Conquer Generals, Battlefield 1942, Call of Duty
5. Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....)
Nope.
6. Do games you play involve violence of any kind?
Yep.
7. Do you consider yourself a violent person?
No.
8. What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games?
What kind of game would Doom3 be without violence? "lets sit on the rug with the demon and talk this out? lets see if we give you mars will you go away?" thats um.. sorta lame
9. How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California?
Its good. People who havent formed a concrete personality yet shouldnt be playing games that may give them "ideas"
10. What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine?
'tard. Doom1 was what... when i was in.. grade 2? those kids were younger than me. so that would have put them in kindergarten or grade1. Since when did grade 1-2 kids play FPS? I didnt start until grade 6 =/
A) You probably shouldn't state your position at the head of the survey - it may cause people who disagree with your stance to feel that their opinion may be discarded.
B) I think you're confusing correlation with causality just like Jack Thompson does. Correlation simply means in this case that people who kill have played a video game - causality would mean that they killed because of the video game.
C) You probably don't want to contact Jack Thompson and tell him you disagree - he may try to get you arrested or threaten to sue you (judging by the experiences of others who have disagreed). If you do want to contact him, you'd probably be better off simply asking for his opinion - though there are certainly plenty of quotes by him floating around in the media.
this is the start of a very slippery slope. it makes me think back to the days of book burnings in which many great books were banned b/c someone believed the world would be better off without them. j.d salinger's "catcher in the rye" is a prime example as it was targeted as being full of filthy language and sexual content. the problem is that this book is considered to be one of the best works of american literature, and people were burning it mindlessly instead of reading it. where will all of this stop? will the next best video game go unrecognized because it is stuck in the back of the store in the violent adults only section? video games are a type of media, an art form if you will, and they shouldn't be censored or seperated they should be celebrated. i mean there aren't "violence" or "nudity" sections at museums.
cali's violent video game law is another case of over-regulation and tax payer's dollars spent needlessly. the current ESRB system is all that is needed in conjunction with pro-active parents.
I believe you are correct, I sure did. After examining the two defenitions and looking at the overall focus of my project, I am much more interested in the causality, not correlation. Thanks for the clear up. The reason I posted my original stance was in hopes that someone who did disagree with what I have said can defend there own views on the subject matter and maybe point me to where they have found the information. I do understand what you have said, and if I could go back, I would probably leave that out.
Thanks,
Alex
I agree with you on all points.
2. What is your favorite genre? Shooter, Battle
3. How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)? T, M
4. What are your 3 favorite games? CS:S, Battlefield 2, NBA Live 2005
5. Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....). No
6. Do games you play involve violence of any kind? Yes
7. Do you consider yourself a violent person? No
8. What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games? Just an excuse for people making bad decisions.
9. How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California? Doesn't make a bit of difference really to those minors - they'll play the games anyways.
10. What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine? Games have nothing to do with it. Even if it did affect them, its they're responsible for their actions. Blaming that on video games is just a way of shifting the blame to someone else and trying to make money by suing companies.
yup
2. What is your favorite genre?
Real Time Strategy
3. How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)?
T for Teen
4. What are your 3 favorite games?
Starcraft
Command & Conquer (choose any game out of the series)
Super Mario World
5. Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....)
not really
6. Do games you play involve violence of any kind?
Yes
7. Do you consider yourself a violent person?
No
8. What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games?
Well, I think there needs to be less. I dont mind violent games, but if developers go overboard, i think they need a slap in the face (good examples of overboard are: GTA Series, Postal Series, God of War, etc.) the reason why i think this is because kids start thinking that violence is fun, some even go as far as thinking that its fun in the real world as well.... ive seen these effects on my young cousins (their parents dont care what they play)
9. How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California?
I think its a good law, Most parents are too stupid to watch what their kids play so i think the government stepping in is an okay thing. As long as they dont go overboard with the laws.
10. What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine?
Well, thats a huge opinion that i kind of have mixed thoughts on. Those kids at colombine difenitly had mental issues so a video game could defenitly influence what they did. BUT on the other hand.. it is a bit silly... i have many thoughts on this issue but you know...
Yes
2. What is your favorite genre?
FPS and RPGs
3. How are most of your games rated (E, E10+, T, M, Ao)?
Mature
4. What are your 3 favorite games?
Half-Life, Ultima Online (old school UO), and Eve Online
5. Do your favorite games involve violence against innocent civilians or good people? (Cops, firefighters etc....)
Nope
6. Do games you play involve violence of any kind?
Yes
7. Do you consider yourself a violent person?
Nope
8. What are your personal thoughts on violence in video games?
I dont think violence in video games is a 'bad' thing
9. How do you feel about the current law banning the sale of violent video games to minors in California?
I think it's good because this will keep people from being able to complain about kids playing violent video games.
10. What are your personal thoughts on some people (Jack Thompson) claiming that Doom I trained the kids to kill in Columbine?
I think it's stupid to say the least. Video games don't kill people and they don't train people to kill people. I can go and play a hunting game for hours on end each day, but when you go into the real life to go hunting, it's completely different. It's just a game it's a mean of entertainment, it's not made to be a 'training machine for killing people'.