# Why are so-called "violent" video-games demonized too much? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 25, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910 "2012-04-25T15:07:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Otkakonmiskilic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Otkakonmiskilic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otkakonmiskilic)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/1 "2012-04-25T15:07:37Z")
I have playing these things since I was 5 or 6, for hours in a day, at least 3-4. But I don’t even want to handle a gun, or keep it in my home. And, in the media I often see people (especially experts) accuse these games of encouraging young people to commit violent crimes. I don’t think these games have anything to do with egging on people to shoot around, or massacre around. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/2 "2012-04-25T15:19:34Z")
Violent video games produce violence as much as Monopoly produces real estate millionaires. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/3 "2012-04-25T15:25:03Z")
Because they look violent, and most of the “experts” are of my generation and so did not grow up with them. Violent plus popular with children gives us plenty of Seduction of the Innocent material to view with alarm in the media. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/4 "2012-04-25T15:33:08Z")
> [@Otkakönmiklç](#): > > I often see people (especially experts) accuse these games of encouraging young people to commit violent crimes. I think it’s interesting that this is asserted, given how under-represented crime-themed games are compared with military-themed games. Enlistment statistics must have exploded compared with twenty years ago, right? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/5 "2012-04-25T15:41:33Z")
I have a confession to make: Before I started playing video games it wouldn’t bother me if I passed zombies while walking downtown, but now I carry a sawed-off shotgun and blow their heads off whenever they stroll by. ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/6 "2012-04-25T15:53:28Z")
While I agree with your general point, it’s still worthwhile to point out that anecdote =/= data. Just because you personally don’t feel the urge to go on a murderous rampage that doesn’t mean there’s no connection generally. ETA: “You” meaning the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/7 "2012-04-25T15:57:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I have a confession to make: Before I started playing video games it wouldn’t bother me if I passed zombies while walking downtown, but now I carry a sawed-off shotgun and blow their heads off whenever they stroll by. That’s SO prejudiced! I just carry a really big honkin sword now. ---
**Author:** ![Otkakonmiskilic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Otkakonmiskilic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otkakonmiskilic)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/8 "2012-04-25T16:04:13Z")
> [@Pitchmeister](#): > > Just because you personally don’t feel the urge to go on a murderous rampage that doesn’t mean there’s no connection generally. Verily. But I don’t think that it means that there is a connection . ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/9 "2012-04-25T16:05:03Z")
Are video games really that demonized these days? There’s a few folks who go after them but games don’t seem to inspire a lot of moral panic these days. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/10 "2012-04-25T16:06:05Z")
I recently watched a [TED talk](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2N-5maKZ9Q) by Gabe Zichermann about “gamification,” or ways in which game theory and basic rewards systems are being used, specifically in video game format, for training purposes. As an example, he talks about the dashboard eco-meter on the Prius, which is essentially a small video game that trains you to be more economical driver. About 9 minutes in, he says this: > [@](#): > > Study after study tells you that violent games do not make children violent. We must acknowledge, however, if a child is predisposed to violence, violent games might help make them a better violent child. If [games] train kids to do other things, they will also train that and we need to accept that and start understanding the connection between games as a form of training. We can’t blanket say that they don’t affect kids, it’s not true. It’s the first time I’ve heard someone in the industry give what I’d consider to be an honest assessment of the power of games and the responsibility we need to take for them. Just as it’s ludicrous to say that violent video games will make someone violent, it’s just as ludicrous to say that violent video games won’t have any affect any anyone ever. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/11 "2012-04-25T16:08:09Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Are video games really that demonized these days? There’s a few folks who go after them but games don’t seem to inspire a lot of moral panic these days. There’s a knee-jerk reaction whenever the envelope gets pushed. The last one I remember was Rockstar’s “Bully.” Prior to that, Grand Theft Auto, which is truly a “crime game” as opposed to a “military game,” got a lot of heat from various loudmouths. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/12 "2012-04-25T16:14:07Z")
Latest [scaremongering piece](http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0419/breaking15.html) I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/13 "2012-04-25T16:27:48Z")
This is nothing new. Parents of every generation have always found something to demonize as a gateway to ruination of our youth. In the 40s, it was comic books, and the comic book code was invented. Then it was Elvis and Rock-n-Roll. In the 70s, parents claimed KISS was Satanic and stood for Knights in Satan’s Service, and in the 80’s, we had Tipper Gore going after heavy metal to protect our youth. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/14 "2012-04-25T16:32:28Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **Larry Mudd** : > > I think it’s interesting that this is asserted, given how under-represented crime-themed games are compared with military-themed games. > > Enlistment statistics must have exploded compared with twenty years ago, right? I don’t know how well it works, but the US Army does attempt to use video games as a recruitment tool. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/15 "2012-04-25T19:06:42Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I don’t know how well it works, but the US Army does attempt to use video games as a recruitment tool. I recall downloading America’s Army. I think it must be powerfully dissuasive for any young men who somehow think being in the armed forces is anything like playing military action games. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/16 "2012-04-25T19:12:40Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > This is nothing new. Parents of every generation have always found something to demonize as a gateway to ruination of our youth. _Trouble, oh we got trouble, Right here in River City! With a capital “T” That rhymes with “P” And that stands for Pool! Gotta figure out a way To keep the young ones moral after school!_ ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/17 "2012-04-25T19:38:11Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Because they look violent, and most of the “experts” are of my generation and so did not grow up with them. Violent plus popular with children gives us plenty of Seduction of the Innocent material to view with alarm in the media. I agree. Plus, “violent games lead to violent behavior” has just enough surface plausibility to make a good accusation. > [@Pitchmeister](#): > > While I agree with your general point, it’s still worthwhile to point out that anecdote =/= data. Just because you personally don’t feel the urge to go on a murderous rampage that doesn’t mean there’s no connection generally. Yeah, but as said already, the data _does_ show no correlation between video games and violence. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/18 "2012-04-25T20:10:02Z")
I dunno, there was that day I felt compelled to hurl barrels at Italians… ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/19 "2012-04-25T20:24:32Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I have a confession to make: Before I started playing video games it wouldn’t bother me if I passed zombies while walking downtown, but now I carry a sawed-off shotgun and blow their heads off whenever they stroll by. You loathsome liveist. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910/20 "2012-04-25T21:08:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I have a confession to make: Before I started playing video games it wouldn’t bother me if I passed zombies while walking downtown, but now I carry a sawed-off shotgun and blow their heads off whenever they stroll by. Personally, I always just jump from the third story landing of my apartment building rather than taking the stairs. As long as I tuck and roll, I only lose 38% of my health and I can just sit down and eat the roast pheasant I keep in my backpack at all times to get it back. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-called-violent-video-games-demonized-too-much/619910.md?page=2)