[TheNoiseExplosion]

Why, as gamers do we enjoy killing people in a virtual environment. Of course I'm talking about video game violence and how it affect us. I got into an argument with my dad about if it is right to kill people in video games. I got into an argument with my dad and I need some good arguments against him.


Why do you like killing people in video games?

Does in train us to become killing machines? Why?

Do you think that it is right for us to spend our time playing CoD killing people? Why?

[VerdeFlash]

Killing, or simply just violence, in a virtual setting, provides a very exciting experience in most cases. We all have been sitting somewhere boring at some point and thought "If a robber were to break in here right now I would fight him in the face."

Someone quotable once said that video games should be a break from reality. And so therefore, this is one of the many facets of reality that we can break from. Morality. In most games you play as protagonists. Countless deaths seem justifiable for a good cause. After all, they did capture the princess/take over the world/bomb Pearl Harbor/take the last piece of bacon. And even if it's not justifiable, most stable individuals get the sense of "none of it's real" and therefore just play it for the fun. Even if the aforementioned process is subconcious.

Violence can make many situations more gripping and thrilling, because it gives our mind that little feeling of risk. "What if I get killed?" Says your brain. Because our own self-preservation is our number one instinct, because dying and pain are our number one fears when it boils down.

Why do I like killing in games? You should ask my psychiatrist.

But seriously, I don't know why I personally enjoy it. I could take it or leave it, unless it's vital to the situation. If I'm a survivor in a mall against a horde of zombies/have pinned down the sorcerer that just killed my wife and kids/am being murdered, I'm not going to get the full experience if the game tells me that I have to give the undead/arcane/murderous enemy some hugs and a gift basket.

An important effect that has been hotly debated between psychologists is good ol' catharsis. If you don't already know, catharsis is "letting off steam", when it is extremely boiled down. Removing anger by taking it out on something that can't be hurt, i.e. hitting a punching bag after your friend crashes you car. However, while catharsis is a definite and proven effect, it is still unclear whether or not video games give that psychological effect.

I know I sure do love pwning some n00bs when I'm PO'd. But it could just be my mind getting distracted. Who knows.

Do video games train manhunting Terminators? Yes and no.

Video games will not turn a fine upstanding individual into a granny slayer, no matter how gory, grizzly, and antiestablishment it is. However, if you just got out of Juvi and are already trigger happy and enjoy nihilistic pursuits, violence, and self-betterment, then yes, you just might be tempted to go and "pop" a "cap" in someone's buttocks after a night of outrunning the law in GTA.

Is it right to spend time killing people in CoD?

As long as you're not obsessed, then yes, I suppose so.


Also, as ashamed as I am to admit this, my parents have no idea that I play any violent games whatsoever. Since I can move about with my laptop, they never have to see me in the act of snoiping some poor jarate'd fool.




P.S. ADDENDUM: CRIPES this is more than I've ever put on this forum ever.

Also, my writing this because of .eXeC insulting my maturity in the BS thread is not an example of catharsis. It is an example of me being butthurt.

[.eXeC!]

TheNoiseExplosion, on 20 November 2009 - 02:27 AM, said:

Why do you like killing people in video games?

Does in train us to become killing machines? Why?

Do you think that it is right for us to spend our time playing CoD killing people? Why?

1. Because I want to completely change my faith and reverse everything I have ever learned and be a terrorist when I grow up and kill people because some other guy tells me to without good reason.

2. Yes, because my master says so.

3. Yes, the infidels must die.


Seriously, governments need to chill the fuck out.

[Ethan795]

TheNoiseExplosion, on 20 November 2009 - 02:27 AM, said:

Why do you like killing people in video games?

Does in train us to become killing machines? Why?

Do you think that it is right for us to spend our time playing CoD killing people? Why?

1 - I don't. I don't play games to kill people. Sure a lot of the games I play involve violence, but I'm not aiming to play a game because it's violent...I think Portal is quite a significant game as it got the cliché FPS fanatics away from bullets for once. Some games make you specifically not want to shoot people (airport scene in MW2 for example).

2 - Sure. Hypothetically someone could be influenced by the ideas in a video game and want to kill people...just like they could be influenced by a book, a film, a speech, a website, TV program, a conversation, or anything at all. The medium in which the message is potrayed isn't that important.

3 - No. Go do something constructive with your time. I don't think video games, as much as I like them, have had a very good impact on this world. They've given people jobs, and entertained people sure, but I feel they should be used to potray more positive messages in general.

"The deaf ears are the winnersthe listeners are the lames"

Suggested reading materials: www.GamePolitics.com

Also, linking isn't working?

[TheNoiseExplosion]

Thanks for the responses guys, I really appreciate it.

[iggle]

VerdeFlash, on 19 November 2009 - 11:16 PM, said:

Killing, or simply just violence, in a virtual setting, provides a very exciting experience in most cases. We all have been sitting somewhere boring at some point and thought "If a robber were to break in here right now I would fight him in the face."

Someone quotable once said that video games should be a break from reality. And so therefore, this is one of the many facets of reality that we can break from. Morality. In most games you play as protagonists. Countless deaths seem justifiable for a good cause. After all, they did capture the princess/take over the world/bomb Pearl Harbor/take the last piece of bacon. And even if it's not justifiable, most stable individuals get the sense of "none of it's real" and therefore just play it for the fun. Even if the aforementioned process is subconcious.

Violence can make many situations more gripping and thrilling, because it gives our mind that little feeling of risk. "What if I get killed?" Says your brain. Because our own self-preservation is our number one instinct, because dying and pain are our number one fears when it boils down.

Why do I like killing in games? You should ask my psychiatrist.

But seriously, I don't know why I personally enjoy it. I could take it or leave it, unless it's vital to the situation. If I'm a survivor in a mall against a horde of zombies/have pinned down the sorcerer that just killed my wife and kids/am being murdered, I'm not going to get the full experience if the game tells me that I have to give the undead/arcane/murderous enemy some hugs and a gift basket.

An important effect that has been hotly debated between psychologists is good ol' catharsis. If you don't already know, catharsis is "letting off steam", when it is extremely boiled down. Removing anger by taking it out on something that can't be hurt, i.e. hitting a punching bag after your friend crashes you car. However, while catharsis is a definite and proven effect, it is still unclear whether or not video games give that psychological effect.

I know I sure do love pwning some n00bs when I'm PO'd. But it could just be my mind getting distracted. Who knows.

Do video games train manhunting Terminators? Yes and no.

Video games will not turn a fine upstanding individual into a granny slayer, no matter how gory, grizzly, and antiestablishment it is. However, if you just got out of Juvi and are already trigger happy and enjoy nihilistic pursuits, violence, and self-betterment, then yes, you just might be tempted to go and "pop" a "cap" in someone's buttocks after a night of outrunning the law in GTA.

Is it right to spend time killing people in CoD?

As long as you're not obsessed, then yes, I suppose so.


Also, as ashamed as I am to admit this, my parents have no idea that I play any violent games whatsoever. Since I can move about with my laptop, they never have to see me in the act of snoiping some poor jarate'd fool.




P.S. ADDENDUM: CRIPES this is more than I've ever put on this forum ever.

Also, my writing this because of .eXeC insulting my maturity in the BS thread is not an example of catharsis. It is an example of me being butthurt.

ditto

[D3N1ZFTW]

TheNoiseExplosion, on 20 November 2009 - 02:27 AM, said:

Why do you like killing people in video games?

Does in train us to become killing machines? Why?

Do you think that it is right for us to spend our time playing CoD killing people? Why?

1 I dont really like killing people in game and in real-life
2 at point it does make us killin' machines ?why? i saw a newspaper where a kid killed his father for NOT buying Halo 3
3 only if we done our homeworks

in other words :you have a point