Study: violence is not a plus for gamers, challenge is

Video games are a big issue in courts today, with a lot of people under the assumption that gamers play them for the love of violence. This new study disagrees though, saying that gamers play video games for the challenge, and not as a way to simulate murdering people.

Video games are a big issue in courts today, with a lot of people under the assumption that gamers play them for the love of violence.

This new study from the University of Rochester and Immersyve Inc disagrees though, saying that gamers play video games for the challenge, and not as a way to simulate murdering people:

For the vast majority of players, even those who regularly play and enjoy violent games, violence was not a plus. Violent content was only preferred by a small subgroup of people that generally report being more aggressive.

I could have told you that, but then these guys did it the right way and came to that conclusion scientifically. As far as the courts are concerned, my word’s as good as Dr. Nick Riviera. (“Hi, everybody!”) The study can affect the industry in a big, big way. Says Immersyve president Scott Rigby:

Much of the debate about game violence has pitted the assumed commercial value of violence against social concern about the harm it may cause. Our study shows that the violence may not be the real value component, freeing developers to design away from violence while at the same time broadening their market.

The sad thing is, courts will have a hard time taking this seriously if we keep seeing headlines like “kid shoots parents for confiscating his Halo 3.”

• Violent video games make you aggressive
• ECA: recent study on violent video games is wanting
• UK youths blame violent video games and films for rise in knife crimes

Via Game Politics