Violent Video Games:
Aggression formed from Entertainment

The future of entertainment revolves around technology. Video games have become more and more realistic. The main consumers for violent video games are teens. These games encourage killing and fighting enemies. More ways of playing violent video games are created each year, but most of us have this question in mind. Do violent video games influence young people to act aggressively? I've played violent video games since I was 15 years old. I've seen all the blood, gore and many violent actions through the gameplay. Overplaying video games can have many disastrous effects on teens, although limiting the gameplay can have multiple positive effects on their futures.
Overplaying can incite young players to act violently. Repetitive killing can train them to act aggressively. Most video games are just killing if the player does these actions too often he can subconsciously learn those actions and become violent himself. Playing too much violent video games can make the player think violence is fun. Violence seen in “video game play is active whereas watching TV is passive” truly sums up the basis of how influential one playthrough can have on teens. (Bushman) When the game is played the teen can associates violence with entertainment. Also for performing violent acts the player always gets a reward. If the person plays the game too much they can develop the habit of being aggressive for fun. In some way if the game is played to much the boundaries between violence and fun in the game and violent in real life can be crossed. Most games have blood, many weapons such as explosives or rifles to lay waste to any person, building or other obstacle in the way . Being exposed to those behaviors in the game, dead bodies and blood can make the players insensitive to violence. Overplaying will make the players familiar with images of violent acts and if the player does it continuously it will seem like a normal thing to him.
Video games can be very addictive if abused. In the game the players is constantly being rewarded for numerous actions taken. They could just do the same actions over and over again in order to succeed and be rewarded as much as possible throughout the game. As well one thing that keeps the players "Hooked up" is most video games have many objectives that take time to achieve. Most games have levels that are for prestige, armor parts or power ups. People are constantly in a state of competition and want to be the highest and the first to achieve all those objectives in the games, but the problem is that they take days and days of game play. In a game that I play it would take 12 days of non-stop of playing to reach the highest level sometimes more. On top of this all games have achievement which are medals usually rewarded for an incredible action in the game, they are only there for bragging and fun. People keep on playing violent video games for countless hours because of competition. Groups and alliance in the games also incite players to invest more time they have meeting and ask players to log on in a specific hour of the day. Even though there is not scientific proof why people are addicted to video games many people believe it has to do with most of those things, rehab centers have been created just for video game addiction.
Limiting the gameplay of violent video games for young people can have many positive effects on their futures. The player can decompress from daily stress. If the players had a rough day instead of being aggressive and maybe hurting something or someone, he can take out his anger on a virtual enemy in the video games instead of causing damage. As Annette stated “It was therapeutic.” (209) Video games are great to release repressed emotions. Yet, allowing extended period of time to relieve these emotions could present future harm to the player or possibly other people. Players instead of being aggressive to people if they are angry can decompress in the game. It is like a punching bag at the gym but virtually. Also video game can be good for a quick pastime if the player is waiting thirty minutes for something, it is good to occupy for a short period of time. Some video games can make young players learn facts and consequences. For example, capitals of countries can be learned as well as the locations on a map. Consequences of acting recklessly can be learned when the players gets killed or arrested.
Ratings in video games and age restrictions should be more strictly applied. Rating inform the buyer to know what kind of game is being bought and what is in it, violence, drugs, sexual actions and many more. The parents should accompany their kids and look at the rating to see if it is appropriate for the teen to play it. This would help buyers to see if the game is suitable for a certain range of age. Video games store should refuse to sell violent video game with over 18 rating to minors. Grand Theft Auto, one of the biggest violent, gang influenced, manipulation and adult content games to have been allowed in the hands of kids under its restrictions. Most video game clerks in stores do not check if the buyer is age appropriate for them or if the game is suitable for them. A minor client might not be mature enough for the game. Accidents like assault of police officers, shootings and horrific aggressive actions on others can happen if age limits are not respected or if there is not parental control over these issues. As well an I.D. should be required to buy the game to double check. Many incidents like shootings could be avoided.
To conclude over playing video games has many negative effects such as addiction, obesity, poor social skills, aggressive behavior and sleep deprivation. But if the right actions are taken by limiting the game play many negative consequence can be avoided and positive things can happen. For example, setting limits of time played on the console and checking the ratings that show the content of the game. Making the proper decisions when allowing the use of games to underage kids would allow for a healthier future for themselves and others throughout their life.

Works Cited

Bushman, Brad J. "The Effects of Violent Video Games. Do They Affect Our Behavior?" The Effects of Violent Video Games on Behavior. International Human Press, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://www.ithp.org/articles/violentvideogames.html>.

John-Hall, Annette. “Using Video Games to Reduce Violence.” America Now. Ed. Robert Atwan. Boston: New York, 2013. 208-211.