Question of the Day, July 15, 2010

[The Escapist Staff]

Question of the Day, July 15, 2010



Researchers have found that playing violent videogames relieves stress and depression. What do you think?

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[Lenny Magic]

Sometimes but not always...

 

[Shockolate]

I noticed a long time ago that when I was left to my own devices with nothing to distract me (IE video games) I'm at my worst.

I feel sad, miserable, depressed, weak, and overall a failure (Which I kind of am).

But then I start playing Team Fortress 2 and kill all the leetle babies and all is well.

 

[Celtic_Kerr]

Videogames make me focus on something and not my own issues.

Plus, ya know... Having Fun = Not Terribly Depressed

 

[Jaranja]

Oh yes, definitely. That's one of the main reasons I play them.

 

[Sojoez]

Not always, but there have been times where playing a game would lighten my mood.

Examples:
1) While being a little depressed I once started Unreal Tournament 2004. After scoring a few kills with the flak cannon, I was too excited to feel sad!
2) After getting dumped by a girl I felt like destroying something. So I did! I launched Supreme Commander and choose for the 4 island setup VS 1 easy enemy. I made a few air factories and made a total of 200 tier 1 bombers. The carnage was AWESOME! Still felt shit afterwards, but it did ease the pain a bit!

 

[Hithlain]

I still remember putting in Harvest Moon 64 on 9/11 because the news was getting too much for me. Granted, I was in Jr. High.

But most definitely, I play video games in order to relax, escape, or laugh.

 

[ultimateownage]

I demand the option 'Yes, but I have too much stress/ depression for it to be entirely removed by video games.'

*EDIT* Also, I want the option 'Yes, but not has much has the escapist.'

 

[Hiphophippo]

Almost exclusively. It might not be why I started playing them but it's certainly why I do now. Only people that do or have done it can ever understand the burden of stress and responsibility that raising a child and maintaining a roof for them is.

If I didn't have my games I'd probably asplode.

 

[WrongSprite]

Yep, obviously. Videogames are fun. Fun relieves stress. T'aint rocket science chaps.

 

[razer17]

No option for "I don't get stressed or depressed"?

I picked yes, since gaming lightens my mood. I therefore assume that if I were depressed it might help.

 

[dark_taint92]

I voted yes because games allow me to murder people in fun and imaginative ways . Also helps with break up's to god I love videogames

 

[Jared]

Generally, if I am playing them, and in a bad mood. Ill just get into the game and forget anything else...so yeah

 

[Aedes]

Amn, yes, obviously.
Why else would I play them?

 

[Riobux]

Mostly it doesn't fix with my depression since I usually feel too depressed to play games, but in terms of stress, I'd say it does. At least when I was growing up and dealing with problems with other kids, I could go home and deal with my stress by playing video games. Especially more violent games where I could be the guy making other people hurt, as opposed to real life when it was other people that was making sure I got hurt. As I managed to get out of that hole and the amount of stressed induced by other people have decreased, My once strictly-violent game collection has expanded into other games. Sure I still love being able to kill people, but I'm also happy and I also enjoy other games like more RPG-like games and, well, other games that can't really be considered violent (e.g. Heavy Rain).

 

[liamwazhere]

I play mario kart, So no

 

[Grayjack]

Depends. If it's an online game, they tend to increase stress.

 

[Kermi]

I don't suffer depression, but video games are definitely great stress release.

 

[Julianking93]

I typically forget about my problems when brutally murdering someone virtually, so yeah I agree, totally.