Violent computer games (e.g. GTA)

[Metroland]

I would say, the people that find guns, violence, drug taking, etc cool and attractive are not from the outset influenced by films/TV/games, they are attracted to these things anyway for the most part. Level headed people *should* be able to watch/see this stuff, without it changing their behaviour, though I do think society as a whole is more tolerant of it.

But I would say this type of material, normalises the behaviour, with *some* people that are attracted. And banning such material would make it more 'cool' in the eyes of the people that think it's glamorous in the first place.

 

[AlterEgo]

Why should I be at all interested in such matters, when there are more pressing matters to concern myself with such as the conditions in which the refugees from the Horn of Africa are having to live at this present time or the conditions that the survivors of the Japanese tsunami are still having to live in.

There are enough real-life matters going on in this world, without the need to immerse myself in trivia. Perhaps when you have had enough experiance of life in the real world, brought up a family with good values being taught to your children both at home and at school and have attained my age of approaching 70 years having retired from business life, but still finding time to help charities without the need to charge for my time but for the help that my experiance of life can bring to others, you may well see matters in a somewhat different light.

I'd like to interject at this point that I too am a charitable soul. Doesn't stop me enjoying GTA though.

It's entertainment and should be taken as such.

Football is a trivial matter but I do indulge in this twice a week in lieu of helping refugees...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

No matter when anything likes this happen some one always will go to instantly ban games or saying they are evil. Thats not the problem it's the parents responsibilty

From what you have gleaned from seeing matters in the media, listening to young people being interviewed and from the comments so far on this forum , do you think that the young people care for a single moment what their parents might think or do?

Conversely, as some politicians of all parties have stated, do the parents actually know or care what their children are doing at any hour of the day?

 

[90019]

Why should I be at all interested in such matters, when there are more pressing matters to concern myself with such as the conditions in which the refugees from the Horn of Africa are having to live at this present time or the conditions that the survivors of the Japanese tsunami are still having to live in.

I assume that you don't watch any tv other than the news, never watch movies or read books either so you can focus on things going on elsewhere in the world?
And why are you reading this forum if you could be concerning yourself with conditions of refugees?

 

[chris89]

From what you have gleaned from seeing matters in the media, listening to young people being interviewed and from the comments so far on this forum , do you think that the young people care for a single moment what their parents might think or do?

Conversely, as some politicians of all parties have stated, do the parents actually know or care what their children are doing at any hour of the day?

Of course not as everyone is an indiviadale most will listern or take advice from their parents and seems like a lot do not actually know what is going on.

But when there is sub 14 year olds out as well part-taking in these riots parenting i would have thought comes into serious questioning. Although i can't really question that since i do not have any childern and do not even plan to for a while as still young and want to experience the world and so on.

 

[Metroland]

I'm not an expert so I googled this. Here is one study, there may be others to say differently, but it appears my opinion it 'normalises' behaviour seems to be true.

Watching violent video games, films and TV shows really can make children more aggressive, scientists believe.

And the more violent the scenes and the longer they last, the more normal the behaviour seems.

In the most comprehensive study to date looking at the link between on screen and real life violence, scientists got a group of boys aged 14 to 17 to watch a series of video clips while using scans to study their brain activity.

The results were striking. The longer the youths watched the brutality, which included football hooliganism and street brawls, the less their brains lit up. 'Sweat tests' showed that they also became less excited by the action over time.

Writing in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, they concluded: 'We propose that exposure to aggressive media results in a blunting of emotional responses, which in turn may prevent the connection of consequences of aggression with an appropriate emotional response, and therefore may increase the likelihood that aggression is seen as acceptable behaviour.'

Previous research has shown that even cartoon violence can affect children's behaviour and last year, the father of murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor called on the Government to impose high taxes on violent video games that can inspire street attacks.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...o-games-TV-shows-DO-make-boys-aggressive.html

 

[AlterEgo]

Sorry, had to chuckle there as a Daily Mail article about science was used as a source.

Does GTA cause cancer too?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I'd like to interject at this point that I too am a charitable soul. Doesn't stop me enjoying GTA though. It's entertainment and should be taken as such.

Thank you for pointing out a very relevant point and for the other members who have explained what GTA is about.

You say that this is entertainment. Most of the people who watch this game and have commented on it and concur with you, are from a generation that have become inured to violence for violence's sake and say that it has an entertainment factor.

I am from two generations above most of you and was not subjected to contant media pressure to accept such products, nor had we ever felt the need for them, having matters such as sport, hobbies, working for a living and families of our own to keep us occupied.

 

[SS4]

I'm not an expert so I googled this. Here is one study, there may be others to say differently, but it appears my opinion it 'normalises' behaviour seems to be true.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...o-games-TV-shows-DO-make-boys-aggressive.html

I'm not an expert either but I know better than to trust the Daily Mail. I'm surprised they're yet to say black people cause cancer :roll:. It would be better to post the google search page

Thank you for your input...you read my mind well, as to the products that I was referring to.

Being an "old-timer", can someone tell me what "Grand Theft Auto" is supposed to convey in its game playing. I have seen much advertising for this product and its follow-up product in print and on television.

Escapism.

 

[Hydro]

I am from two generations above most of you and was not subjected to contant media pressure to accept such products, nor had we ever felt the need for them, having matters such as sport, hobbies, working for a living and families of our own to keep us occupied.

...and most people are still in the same boat, of course enjoying games and doing all of the above are not mutually exclusive. I do not feel under any media pressure to enjoy such games, it's a conscious choice on my part to do so.

 

[Oswyntail]

Whether it is computer games, films, or X-Factor, the common thread seems to be that those of the rioters who have been interviewed do not (unlike ourselves) seem to have the ability to separate the imaginary from the real. The answer is not to ban, or control, the imaginary. But i'm blowed if I know how to teach 31-year-olds the psychological lessons that are part of the developmental stage of toddlers.
I also do not believe it is right to make the discussion a left/right wing Conservative/good guys one. There are many, many people in the country who have as hard a time as the rioters, and they are not rioting; it is not an urban issue, and it is not a London issue. No one has yet answered the question why are THESE people (and not others) rioting NOW and not earlier. I suspect society needs to take a long look into some nasty places before it finds teh answer to that .

 

[thefab444]

There are enough real-life matters going on in this world, without the need to immerse myself in trivia. Perhaps when you have had enough experiance of life in the real world, brought up a family with good values being taught to your children both at home and at school and have attained my age of approaching 70 years having retired from business life, but still finding time to help charities without the need to charge for my time but for the help that my experiance of life can bring to others, you may well see matters in a somewhat different light...

I guess I forgot - I'm not of the hallowed older generation "we was evacuated don't you know", and do not devoutly follow a religious faith, so my views don't matter.

As 90019 said, if you're so busy with high level moral activities, how come you find so much time to inhabit this forum at all hours of the day and night?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

...and most people are still in the same boat, of course enjoying games and doing all of the above are not mutually exclusive. I do not feel under any media pressure to enjoy such games, it's a conscious choice on my part to do so.

Pretty much my sentiments.

 

[Metroland]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101018211820.htm

Okay then, try science daily or numerous other sources.

I'm not saying TV/film/games are the primary cause of some of this behaviour, but these things are part of our society.

Nor am I saying ban them, but clearly these things do influence people to some degree, and perhaps a little more positive role models might push them in the right direction?

 

[All Line Rover]

May I ask a very simple question, please?

Even if the majority of people who play these games don't go out and repeat the same things in real life, what is the actual point of having these games? I don't see a single benefit.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I assume that you don't watch any tv other than the news, never watch movies or read books either so you can focus on things going on elsewhere in the world?

Your assumption is totally wrong. How do you know what books I have read and what movies I have ever watched. What do you think that I was doing from 1000 to 1200 today in central Manchester at a conference on recent civil unrest that was conceived at 2200 last night by a multi-ethic focus group in which I was invited to attend this morning.

I lead a very full life now that I am retired. How do you know if I am a JP or not..I am not on this forum all the time.

Always be very careful about pre-judging people that you do not know and be even more careful about voicing such beliefs in print without having the true and full facts of the case in your possession.

 

[DarloRich]

Thank you for pointing out a very relevant point and for the other members who have explained what GTA is about.

You say that this is entertainment. Most of the people who watch this game and have commented on it and concur with you, are from a generation that have become inured to violence for violence's sake and say that it has an entertainment factor.

I am from two generations above most of you and was not subjected to contant media pressure to accept such products, nor had we ever felt the need for them, having matters such as sport, hobbies, working for a living and families of our own to keep us occupied.

but it isn’t real is it - it is a make believe world. Is it any different to say, reading J R R Tolkien?

But you will have had constant pressure to smoke, say, Capstan Full Strength becuase they are good for your throat.

 

[Metroland]

but it isn’t real is it - it is a make believe world. .

So is advertising, to a degree, but it's a proven fact it makes people go out and buy certain products.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I have occasionally seen the pile of applications for certain jobs, and it is downright shocking how many of them have spelling errors. Spell correctly and you've instantly improved your chances of being successful!

By the way, I already see a spelling mistake in your post.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


May I ask a very simple question, please?

Even if the majority of people who play these games don't go out and repeat the same things in real life, what is the actual point of having these games? I don't see a single benefit.

Escapism. Also, the detail and reality in the games is excellent. RDR is exactly what the Old West was like, and gives an insight into what it was like.

 

[SS4]

I guess I forgot - I'm not of the hallowed older generation "we was evacuated don't you know", and do not devoutly follow a religious faith, so my views don't matter.

As 90019 said, if you're so busy with high level moral activities, how come you find so much time to inhabit this forum at all hours of the day and night?

Sounds about right.

I have occasionally seen the pile of applications for certain jobs, and it is downright shocking how many of them have spelling errors. Spell correctly and you've instantly improved your chances of being successful!

In a professional capacity I hope

By the way, I already see a spelling mistake in your post.

I can't moan at them since it improves my chances of getting a job

May I ask a very simple question, please?

Even if the majority of people who play these games don't go out and repeat the same things in real life, what is the actual point of having these games? I don't see a single benefit.

Escapism, people know they can't do it in real life but it certainly relieves stress being able to shoot people in a video game

 

[Hydro]

Even if the majority of people who play these games don't go out and repeat the same things in real life, what is the actual point of having these games? I don't see a single benefit.

Because it's like playing a good film in many cases.


Does it need a benefit? It's FUN.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

As 90019 said, if you're so busy with high level moral activities, how come you find so much time to inhabit this forum at all hours of the day and night?

Read what I have said on my posting # 427. It may help your perception of other people of whom you have no knowledge. It may help you to see matters in a different light rather than to speak from an inherant pre-set hidebound idea set.

I have managed to stimulate a debate on the video games industry without any difficulty whatsoever and find all the comments quite amusing to read.

 

[AlterEgo]

Always be very careful about pre-judging people that you do not know and be even more careful about voicing such beliefs in print without having the true and full facts of the case in your possession.

With respect Paul, nobody cares if you're older than most, a JP, sit on committees, or contribute time to charity.

You don't know me, and I don't know you, but I suspect you have preconceived notions about people my age. It is entirely possible to like violent films, art, video games and so on and live a blameless existence.

This isn't, I hope, a willy-waving contest about who contributes more to society. I like to think I do more than my fair share. I have a girlfriend (no family yet!), a well-paid job, pay tax, do not claim from the State, drive a car, contribute time to good causes and have healthy hobbies, such as playing and watching football, current affairs, rail enthusiasm, hiking, and powered paragliding.

I still like blasting the heads off people for the hour or two a week I play GTA. It's a very good game.

I would be interested to know if you drink alcohol, Paul?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Can I suggest the GTA discussion is split into a new thread and the rest is deleted?

 

[passmore]

Whether it is computer games, films, or X-Factor, the common thread seems to be that those of the rioters who have been interviewed do not (unlike ourselves) seem to have the ability to separate the imaginary from the real. The answer is not to ban, or control, the imaginary. But i'm blowed if I know how to teach 31-year-olds the psychological lessons that are part of the developmental stage of toddlers.

Sorry but I disagree. I know many young people who play horribly violent games such as Grand Theft Auto or whatever it's called and lead perfectly normal lives. Besides, it's the parent's responsibility to ensure that what their child sees in front of a screen does not get replicated in real life.
It may be associated with the recent riots but the cause is plainly clear: there's an underclass, or a section, of society that feels that they are answerable to no-one because, as we've all seen, the police are too ineffectual.

 

[yorkie]

Can I suggest the GTA discussion is split into a new thread and the rest is deleted?

Done (on this occasion) - but this takes ages, and we don't always get time to do it. Also can I ask that any requests for moderators be sent in a PM (or, for serious posts, the report post button used) as we do not read all posts/topics

Anyway, I played GTA, Quake III, etc and I absolutely deplore the ludicrous looting and rioting that is going on. Also not sure if stragegy games like C&C Red Alert 2 count as 'violent' but we played those too!

No, playing computer games that involves blowing people up does not cause these sort of actions. It is possible that, for some people, violent computer games may not help or may cause them issues, but for the vast majority of people, no they will not have such an effect.

I hope the OP trusts my word on that from personal experience!

 

[imagination]

People who play computer games a lot aren't out rioting. They're far too busy playing said games.

 

[Greenback]

Obviously playing computer games does not in itself cause people to riot, but they are another strand in the tapestry of life, that can help to influence the weak minded.

 

[valenta]

Obviously playing computer games does not in itself cause people to riot, but they are another strand in the tapestry of life, that can help to influence the weak minded.

Would agree with that.
In relation to the topic I think that violent games can sometimes impact people (particularly children.) Parents have a very fine line to tread when deciding what is acceptable for their children to play, and a good start is not buying kids games that are vastly overage.
There needs to be more awareness of the content that can be found in some games, the impact may not be apparent immediately but I think game makers need to be sure that they do not cross the line between a game which is fun and a game which is inaproppriate.

 

[Aictos]

I've played every GTA that was released on the PC, PS1, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 as well as other titles such as Sniper, Burnout, WWE titles but have never felt the urge to shoot people with a sniper's rifle, nick cars and ram other cars off the road or break someone's leg by copying a wrestling hold as it's just pixels and not real life.

The petty argument stating video games are to blame is void as it's the responsbility of the end user or their parents to ensure they take responsibity for playing these games.