Warning: video games can make you insecure

A study says that playing sexy video game characters can make gamers (both guys and gals) feel insecure about their body-image. I assume this is the same brain fart that Shigeru Miyamoto got to inspire him to make the Wii.

A study says that playing sexy video game characters can make gamers (both guys and gals) feel insecure about their body-image.

I assume this is the same brain fart that Shigeru Miyamoto got to inspire him to make the Wii.

The study showed that after playing video game characters with “extreme” body-types (muscular men, very thin women) for only 15 minutes, gamers have a negative impact on their looks and body.

The study had guys playing WWF Wrestemania 2000, while girls played a beach volleyball game. If guys can get insecure over beefy 64-bit dudes, I’d hate to imagine what the girls were feeling (especially if they were playing Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball).

Questionable methodology aside, I find this study… how should I say this… useless. Whether or not their findings are accurate, the same argument can be said about other forms of media. Porn pretty much has the same effect.

• Wii Fit caused insecurity in ten year-old girl?
• National Obesity Forum slams Wii Fit, Nintendo not budging

Via Kansas