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Video Game Violence - Why We Kill


Star Fox Runner

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I just got finished reading this article that investigates why video games are so violent and why we seem to enjoy them so much, and it brought up some pretty good points on that subject.

One explanation, (and I had personally thought of this before I read the article) was that it hearkens back to the primordial instincts our ancestors had, basically that even though it's been buried deep down and we abhor violence nowadays, we're almost hardwired to kill because it's a natural survival instinct.

Here's the article: http://www.next-gen.biz/features/why-we-kill

What do you all think of this?

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That idea isn't a new one and is like the first people think of when wondering why people kill. Not just in video games, but hunting, in movies, etc.

But there's also a sense of morality in it, I think. Because though in games you ARE killing people, they're supposed to be "bad guys", often worse than the character you yourself play. So it's not just that you're murdering some dudes, it's that by doing so, you're defending others, or somehow ridding the world of villainy. Obviously this doesn't apply to all games. This guy says it best:

“Rarely in my research do people enjoy watching violence just for the sake of violence, but people do enjoy conflict, suspense and action, all things that tend to be easily captured in violent scenes. In the case of games, there’s some evidence that much of the violence, in Super Mario Bros for example, isn’t really even perceived as a violent act. It’s just a task, something that has to be accomplished.â€
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In all honesty, not much. I could try and be clever, or offer some sort of in depth explaination, but it all comes back to 1 thing. It's not real.

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I complete agree with Sabre. It's damn pixels man!

On a more serious note, the instinct point might not be exactly right. Breathing is an instinct, eating too, and nothing's more boring that "breathing" in games or even frustrating than seeing players eating food when you're hungry yourself! :P

Killing is part of our deep instincts, that's a fact, but it's survival, utility in a way. That's not an instinctive hobby I mean.

Even for a fair part of killers, the kill in itself is barely a concrete casualty after doing what they enjoy.

As a matter of fact, when you frag nazis in CoD (the early ones huh!), what is enjoyable is to evade ambushes, find the weak spot in enemy defenses, being on your guard and being able to flawlessly position yourself and aim. This "kills"? Oh well, too bad (for them)! ^_^

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Now, see i might be diffrent, i don't enjoy violence in a eye poping blood shooting way. i don't enjoy killing or disebowling just to kill. I only enjoy killing in games because it shows who is undenyiably the dominet person. I am competitve that way. But ina game like assainsins creed or somthing i don't enjoy killing unsuspecting or unsecary civilens. i'd rather let them go free.

Infact, i often choose the deffencive class/team/role in any game because i beilive deffending yourself is one of the few just reasons for killing

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I have to agree with Dras about the conflict and suspense, but there is one thing I found interesting. How in most games it's about ridding the world of villainy and evil. I personally love video games, and not many people like myself who share my interest in the more violent games could go too long without at least hearing about the Grand Theft Auto series. This is one of those few games that deals with violence just for the sake of violence. Sure, there's a story where you kill rival gang members that supposedly are worse than the stock character you play, or have wronged him in some way shape or form. However, not many people who have played GTA can honestly say that they haven't from time to time just went on a rampage, running over civilians, shooting people with shotguns or assault rifles, assassinating random targets with sniper rifles, getting into fist fights with random people, stealing cars, planes, bikes, motorcycles, all that stuff. And was it fun? 4 out of 5 people will say yes, it was very fun.

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This is interesting.

I believe this could be the answer to why I enjoy Violent video Games and dislike games under the crating of "T"

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Well its a bit obvious, and most of you have already said it. But yes, it goes back to Primevil times Like runner said, and its inbedded within everyone, even if they deny it. Its a source of entertainment of a sorts, even if it is sickening or not. Its a figth for survival, to come out on top. We may also use it to progress and feel stronger, mabye even discover new things to help the killing be more....efficent or quicker (war for example). Its just there.

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Do I like video game violence? I think to a certain extent, video games have become violent! The reason I play video games is for the plotline, the story, not the violence. And every good story, it would seem, has a certain level of violence. But, I think humanity or just males perhaps, like violence in video games because it is a release. It is this very "break from reality" that allows us as individuals in society not to go postal, and become terrorists lol. That is not to say video games are the only release or "break," i have other releases such as reading, sports, or the interwebs. Just a thought.

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  • 3 months later...

In privemeval times, mans urge for vionet entertainment expressed itself in unhealthier ways. In ancient Rome, they had beast fighting and gladiators. In middle ages they had joustings and tourneys. Perhaps because of videogames, man has helped mellow himself out. On different note, I believe modern people are the best kind of people, morally and intellectually superior to our midieval ancestors in every way.

Now big quesiton is does violent Vgames lead to Columbine? Probably not. They just played those games to express their rage. If they did not exist, they would have expressed their ragei nother ways, such as hunting animals before their big show...

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It's not real....simple as that. It takes something that gets you in major trouble(for example) if done in rl, and makes it freely possible.

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The ultamite reality is we can all clearly say "I would do it in game, but not IRL."

Even if we scoff at the Roman Gladiatorial fights, they could say the same thing. "im not doing the killing, those people who signed up for it are"

I say its healthy expression of Cataclismic Violence that is highly Cathartic and probably the best thing since sliced Bread.

Also, Expressions of Violence dont lead to Columbine. Sick f#cks lead to Columbine.

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Word. One slight difference with gladiatorial fights, i.e in video games real people werent getting killed. Then again Romans did not value life as much as we do.

That isnt to say of course that isolation and overexposure to violent vidoegames wont have negative effects. They say that isolation from opposite sex and overexposure to porn helps create sex offenders..

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