ECA: recent study on violent video games is wanting

Studies on violent video games can be very fickle. One minute violent video games are a healthy way of releasing pent up energy, and the next minute they’re murder simulators. Sometimes you just have to wonder if the studies are actually credible.

According to the ECA, the latest one – the one that says violent video games make you more aggressive – is one such example of a study whose credibility is questionable. Right on.

Studies on violent video games can be very fickle. One minute violent video games are a healthy way of releasing pent up energy, and the next minute they’re murder simulators.

Sometimes you just have to wonder if the studies are actually credible.

According to the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA), the latest study by the Iowa State University – the one that says violent video games make you more aggressive – is one such example of a study whose credibility is questionable.

The ECA is a US-based non-profit organization who “serves the needs of those who play computer and video games,” an advocacy group for the rights of the gaming public. Their statement against the study suggests that its agenda is questionable, with a tendency for sensationalism:

For the better part of the past decade we – game consumers, makers, sellers and creators – have been waiting for the results of an unbiased, longitudinal and comprehensive study to be done which will inform us about the potential harmful effects of entertainment products on our children.

Unfortunately, with the report published in the latest issue of Pediatrics, we remain wanting,” said Hal Halpin, president of the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA).

[…] One of the ways in which our stance is likely very different from others in the discussion on the subject is that the ECA would encourage more and better research on the matter.

The problem has been, and apparently continues to be, that the agenda of the researchers supersedes our want and need for inclusiveness of all media… not just games – for the overtly sensationalistic spin that will inevitably be employed – to the exclusion of music and movies. We remain optimistic that longitudinal research that is truly comprehensive, objective and inclusive will be performed and shared, but sadly that day has not yet come.

Right on, ECA. Any chance that the study had something to do with California‘s attempt to revive the violent video game law?

Via GamePolitics