(Newswire.net May 26, 2013) Mexico D.F. — Mexico City based UK video games marketer David Simmons in his latest article for wisebuyvideogames.com has brought into view once again the controversial topic of video games and violence highlighting the uncertain speculation in regards to the question of video games violence and their influence on real world acts of violence.
After a series of global mass shooting crimes there has been no lack of critics in accusing video games, specifically those containing extreme amounts of graphically portrayed violence, of being the primary influence on the perpetrators of these horrendous acts.
There are to date no actual studies or research which confirms that playing violent video games causes real world violence.
“Official 2010 records at the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and Office of Justice Programs show that violent crime rates have declined dramatically since the early 1990s in the USA, among both juveniles and adults. This decrease occurred despite an explosion in sales of violent video games and increases in graphically violent content during the same period. According to Dr. Craig A. Anderson, video game violence is not the primary contributor to societal violence, however, as there are many other factors at play.”
Although classified as violent media, Manhunt, Resident Evil, Dead Rising and Grand Theft Auto do have important positive aspects related to them. Many have aided handicapped people in overcoming their social problems and helped in the development of stronger mental agilities especially in autistic children. In older people stroke surviving game players have made remarkable improvements in hand and arm co-ordination giving rise to better all-round motor skills.
In summing up the benefits of video games David Simmons says, “So if the media decides to thrust an inculpatory image upon playing games and the exposure to video games violence, it must also view the other side of the coin, and give credit to the many helpful benefits that abound within this controversial topic.” http://wisebuyvideogames.com/video-games-violence-wrongly-accused
Those that criticise and point at video games violence as a stimulation of aggressive and antisocial behaviours, most probably have other concerns that need to be addressed. The gaming industry most certainly is accountable for endless hours of stress relief, escapism from personal matters, and innumerable years of fun and entertainment.
Sources
http://www.wisebuyvideogames.com/video-games-violence-wrongly-accused http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_controversies
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