Poll: Are violent videogames healthy?

[Panken]

Yesterday I was playing RE 5 and my girlfriend commented on how she thinks violent videogames are healthy for a society. Having an out where you can hurt, kill, and relieve stress without actually causing any harm to anyone is a good thing. I personally think that violent video games are good for a person. Also, at what age do you think its ok to let someone play the violent video games (GTA, GoW, COD)?

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

Hulk smash pixels or Hulk smash peoples. I know what's best.

Also, at what age do you think its ok to let someone play the violent video games (GTA, GoW, COD)?

Probably what the Age Rating says?

 

[HT_Black]

Yes, honestly-- it's perhaps the greatest way to blow off steam ever invented by man. and in response to your other question-- as soon as they figure out how to lie on those youtube age-gate things.

 

[Merteg]

Why would you ask a question like that on the Escapist?

If anyone votes "no" they'll probably just be trying to be ironic.

 

[El Poncho]

Yea it does depends on what age they are my brother whos 9 go his hands on my sts row 2 and the next day him and his friends wer pretending to shoot each other n swearing(they swore b4 but not the ones tht are considered really bad)

 

[UltimatheChosen]

Actually, if I remember correctly, the whole idea of "blowing off steam" is a load of crap. Unleashing anger just makes you more prone to do it again. Bottling up anger dissipates it, usually. It's grief and sadness that's unhealthy to contain.

At least, that's what I've heard.

 

[Willwillwritehiswill]

People going on killing sprees because they saw it in a game are stupid. i played grand theft auto when i was 8 or 9. It's easy to differentiate between game fantasy and dull reality.

 

[Panken]

Yea it does depends on what age they are my brother whos 9 go his hands on my sts row 2 and the next day him and his friends wer pretending to shoot each other n swearing(they swore b4 but not the ones tht are considered really bad)

Spell check, bud.

 

[hagaya]

Yes, honestly-- it's perhaps the greatest way to blow off steam ever invented by man. and in response to your other question-- as soon as they figure out how to lie on those youtube age-gate things.

I concur. offing random people is a good way to blow off steam, and its best if it happens in a game. The gaming industry now thrives on violence, and its part of the success. I sometimes want to shoot shit, and its better if nothing dies.

 

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

yes, simple as that. Its fun, especially blowing things up when full of civilians. I keep looking for a bus full of nuns and orphans on gta4 but no luck yet

 

[Kif]

I think it entirely depends on the person playing them. For most people there's no problem at all and it works as a good stress relief.

 

[Andy_Panthro]

Is it healthy? Not really.

Is it harmful? Not for most people.

 

[Trendkill6]

Yes, I've actually used video games as a crutch for my rage "issues".
Although Mass Effect's save system made want to kill....

As for age it all depends on the person some kids can handle violent content others can't.
But i think age 7 is a good age to let kids play violeny video games.

 

[goatzilla8463]

Well, I don't have much anger in me. If I am angery, I'll release it straight away.

 

[dmase]

I geuss its healthy if you are already a healthy mentally stable person that doesn't have a god complex, severe god complex is more accurate.

 

[El Poncho]

I don't bother much with spelling when typing but I will in future

 

[Captain Pancake]

I think it's a great way to relieve stress, and it's a much better idea to PRETEND that every locust you kill ingears of war is that smartass maths teacher that gave you detention, rather than taking a knife to his gut. And in my own situation, I'm fifteen, and i'm okay with eighteens, the violence doesn't phase me or influence me in any way. But then again, i'm awfully mature for my age.

 

[duckfi8]

Yesterday I was playing RE 5 and my girlfriend commented on how she thinks violent videogames are healthy for a society. Having an out where you can hurt, kill, and relieve stress without actually causing any harm to anyone is a good thing. I personally think that violent video games are good for a person. Also, at what age do you think its ok to let someone play the violent video games (GTA, GoW, COD)?

my gf says that all the time i just say yeah OK and proceed to blow someone elses head up in vats go fallout 3

 

[Hazy]

I don't bother much with spelling when typing but I will in future

Uhh, do it now.
It makes you look intelligent, and gives others a good impression of you as a kid.

 

[Anachronism]

I suppose, on balance, they're healthy. They're a great way to relieve stress, and as much as I'd like to chainsaw someone in half in the real world, that sort of thing tends to be frowned upon.

There's certainly no evidence to suggest they're unhealthy. People claim they're "murder simulators", but they're only a problem if the people playing them have pre-existing mental health problems. This is usually conveniently overlooked by the media. So, they don't necessarily cause problems, but in a minority of people they could, I suppose, make them worse.

That doesn't change the fact that the vast majority of people playing these games will not have severe mental health problems, and as such, for the most part, violent videogames are definitely not unhealthy.