What effect does "virtual violence" have on real life? In my opinion, very little. First of all, the majority of video gamers are in the late teens to 20's, most in their 20's, therefore I don't see how it can affect on kids when they don't play it. The age group of gamers is also the reason why there are a lot of mature game titles. Its because the manufactures are listening to the market demands, not because they are trying to push an agenda. There are plenty of games that are made for younger players. When you compare violent video games to television, movies and music, video games are nothing. I think movies are much more violent and realistic. Many movies have wanton and gratuitous violence, in music a lot of rap songs promote violence and denigration of women, yet the media, (the same media that complains about video games) either says nothing, or in most cases actually promotes it. I think that is hippocratic horseshit. While graphics are getting better on video games, movies are real people acting on film, and are viewed by a much larger audience. I think some of the war games might make younger people appreciate their parents and/or grandparents who are veterans, because they can virtually experience what their parents and/or grandparents experienced in real life. While stories are great, virtual experience gives you a better perspective than words alone. Violent crime has been around much longer than video games. Some people blame games because they don't want to accept personal responsibility or the fact that some people are just plain evil. As someone stated in class,"Did the game Frogger make people go play in traffic?"
I love video games, I've played them all my life, from the Atari to Nintendo to Playstation 2. Violent video games did not yet exist when I was a kid, so my parents did not have that concern. I would not let a kid play a some of the games I play until they are more mature. Video games are just that, a game. It is a fun fantasy that can improve hand/eye coordination relieve stress and have fun. I wonder how many people who complain about video games actually played or viewed them, so they actually know what they are talking about.