Button-Mashing or Brain-Bashing? The Ups and Downs of Violent Games

The video game world is huge with an audience ranging from children to adults where they can immerse themselves in unique experiences and/or connect with up to millions of people. The video game industry has evolved over the years with technology and creativity. Video games have a variety of genres like exploration, cooking, sports, puzzle, storytelling, etc. However the biggest genre in the industry is action which tends to be mainly violent. Many people argue that violent video games are affecting humans negatively and are concerned about the consequences. The games that are frequently brought up as examples of being excessively violent are Grand Theft Auto, The Call of Duty series and The Mortal Kombat series, these are just three of many. Although many see violent games having bad consequences on human behavior there are some who think quite the opposite. They see them as a good outlet but to a certain extent.

To go in depth with the video games mentioned earlier I will showcase how violent they are. Grand Theft Auto is an open-world action adventure game in which players complete missions and engage in criminal activities such as stealing, physical assault, trespassing etc. all while avoiding getting any repercussions. Some missions involve heists, shootouts, and chases. The Call of Duty series is a first-person shooter game based on military war which features hyper realistic combat scenarios. The game also has the ability for players to speak with each other in games which are often very intense and hostile. Mortal Kombat is a fighting game with a huge roster of characters with every character having a unique set of abilities and combat moves. This game is famous for its very graphic visuals that are very gruesome and gory. Many research studies have shown people who play these types of games tend to have a lot of common negative effects. One of the most widely recognizable ones is an increase of aggression especially after a short period of time. Studies have shown that frequent exposure causes people to heighten their aggressive thoughts, feelings and even behaviors. Studies have also found that gamers who play quite often begin to become desensitized to violence which causes them to be less sensitive to real-world scerinos and/or react more aggressively, normalizing violent behavior. This can also result in lack of empathy for people who might be suffering and be less inclined in helping others, causing them to avoid engagement in cooperative social interactions. Not only does it affect their behavior but also their mental health. Excessive exposure can lead to anxiety, depression and social isolation. A factor that doesn’t help is the disrupted sleep patterns, gamers play for hours and hours on end and this interferes with healthy sleeping cycles which affects their mood, becoming unstable and easily irritated . Those still in school begin to have poor academics and social performance, especially for the younger gamers.

Despite several people’s concerns about the violence in video games there has been research studies that show positive effects. Enhancement of cognitive skills is one key benefit they found. Violent video games put players in complex scenarios in which they are required to think quickly, problem solve and plan strategically to succeed. The rapid decision making and multitasking improve one’s cognitive ability. Those skills can transfer to real life scenarios. A physical trait that can be gained is better hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. These games require precise control and accurate timing if they want to win. These improvements can be applied to other pastimes such as sports. Stress relief is another positive effect research has found when it comes to violent video games. These games provide an outlet for gamers to let out frustration and any sort of built up aggression in the comfort of their own homes creating a safe place to let out their emotions instead of taking it out on someone else or themselves. Gamers who successfully complete missions or challenges increase self-esteem and confidence while reducing stress. Studies have shown that gamers also gain emotional resilience from failure. fast paced environments cause them to face failures repeatedly however they adapt and learn new strategies to overcome obstacles that might arise. Having the ability to learn from your mistakes cultivates a growth mindset that can be used in other aspects of life. They also grasp the concept of never giving up in order to move forward. In some cases another benefit is social connections through online multiplayer mode. Multiplayer mode requires teamwork and communication which can help those who struggle to socialize to form bonds and future friendships.

Ultimately violent video games have both negative and positive effects on humans. Understanding the potentially negative consequences of increased aggression, desensitization to violence, lack of empathy, mental health impact and poor academic/social performance is equally as important in recognizing the positive such as the cognitive benefits, stress relief, social connections, hand eye coordination and fine motor skills. There needs to be a balanced perspective that acknowledges individual experiences because just like any other form of media the effects can vary based on individual and environmental factors. Not every gamer will experience the same thing, the effects mainly depend on the context of the game, player personality, their environment and how frequently they play. Creating responsible gaming habits and having a healthy balance between gaming and other life activities can allow the gamers to enjoy the game while reducing potential negative effects.