Poll: Do Video Games Cause Negative Effects In The People Who Play Them?

[haaxist]

Sorry, I had to change my ISU topic from Horror to Games in general. I want to know our thoughts on this topic. People are bombarded from all sides with the "facts" that ALL video games cause negative side effects in ALL the people who play them, i.e. they get more aggressive, they become addicted, they start to mistake fantasy for real life, their behaviour becomes unpredictable, etc. What I want to hear is your opinion on this. I want to hear from EVERYBODY, no matter what your opinion on this topic is. And, please, don't quote somebody and insult them unles you have a clear and concise argument that you can use to tell why you thought their points are invalid, in your opinion.

 

[oliveira8]

Are Video Games Harmful?Yes they are. In the hands of stupid people. Can we do something about stupid people? Yes we can. What? Kill the stupid people...or keep the stupid people from playing games. I like the first option better.

 

[Azulito]

I LOVE violent games. I happily took part in the MW2 airport mission, I play games like Postal 2 which are simply brutal.

I'm also a first aider, I do alot of charity work, I help people who need it and I sacrifice my happiness for the happiness of others.

In short, no. I've played violent games from a young age and they never affected me.

 

[GodsAndFishes]

Games are like knives. Most people look at a knife and say "I can cut my food up with this", but theres always some stupid people who look at it and say "I could stab someone with this. Awesome!".

 

[Grounogeos]

The only people it hurts are those with medical conditions that video games can trigger (in which case it's not the game, but the dumbass that played it despite their condition (assuming they know about their condition)) and those who are not taught that video games are different from reality (in which case it's the fault of whoever didn't bother to teach them the difference).

Getting strangled with controller cords doesn't count; you can strangle people with any kind of cord.

 

[Makon]

Are Video Games Harmful?Yes they are. In the hands of stupid/insane people. Can we do something about stupid people? Yes we can. What? Kill the stupid people...or keep the stupid people from playing games. I like the first option better.

One slight change, and we have my exact feelings on the subject.

 

[haaxist]

Sorry, forgot to add something. Do you find games therepeutic? Have you ever picked up your controller and popped in a violent game in an effort to calm yourself down? Or have you ever played any game, but most often a violent game, and felt relaxed and calmer after your gaming experience?

 

[Slash Dementia]

Only if they already have problems.
I've been playing violent video games (and games in general) since I was 3. Of course I have more violent (sometimes overly-violent) thoughts, but those thoughts are just thoughts. I would never bring them to any more than that.

The addiction is there...I can say that much, but it's controllable. Sometimes the games relieve stress or get me calm. Games have been helpful in some way or another to me.

People just have to control themselves or if that isn't the case, then the parents should watch over them a little more.

 

[NIHILHATE]

I also started when I was 3 with Soulblade, then moved up to Resident Evil when I was 7 (stopping for a short while at 5 to get the shit scared out of me by Silent Hill) and my family has a history of mental problems, most of which I've gained myself, but games have done nothing but good. Apart from when I punched some shop dude in the face when he wouldn't give me a refund for POTC: The legend of Jack Sparrow. Anywho, they've improved my mind, reflexes and imagination.

 

[Jaranja]

Depends how strong your throwing arm is.

 

[Gigaguy64]

Are Video Games Harmful?Yes they are. In the hands of stupid people. Can we do something about stupid people? Yes we can. What? Kill the stupid people...or keep the stupid people from playing games. I like the first option better.

Me likey you...

Also yes, have you seen 2/3 of the population of this site? I would say thats pretty damn harmful. Go get some fresh air you dateless....ill stop there to be kind...

Same.
Games dont hurt people, stupid people hurt people and then use games as a "The Devil made me do it" excuse.
Sigh.

 

[ryai458]

Asking if video games are harful on a gaming site will get you some pretty biased answers, unless you have the same poll on FOX and are going to get an average of the two.

 

[JourneyThroughHell]

Yes, they are harmful, they caused Virgnia Tech and massive suicide.
Come no, people, is this topic serious? Isn't this, like, Jack Thompson territory?

 

[SantoUno]

Sorry, forgot to add something. Do you find games therepeutic? Have you ever picked up your controller and popped in a violent game in an effort to calm yourself down? Or have you ever played any game, but most often a violent game, and felt relaxed and calmer after your gaming experience?

A few times, games can definitely relieve stress if you have just been arguing or yelled at.

No, it's stupid, video games don't harm people, gamers' decisions do. If they hurt someone else, are not more social, or neglect friends and family because of a video game, it's THEIR fault, not the video game's.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

The Bible desensitised me to horrific violence long before games ever had a chance.

Playing Fallout 3 is literally therapy for me after a bad day.

 

[Kiefer13]

Where's the "No, they're beneficial." option?

 

[Enzeru92]

Games are never harmful its the messed up people that play them that are harmful to society.

 

[Kollega]

Any harm that video games (or TV, or Holy Bible for that matter) can possibly cause is due to pre-existing stupidity or insanity of people who play them. And yes, games can be addictive - but it's not cocaine. It's only a psychological dependance, not full-scale neurochemical mess-up.

 

[Hippobatman]

People who are subjected to violent impulses from video games clearly have issues. Therapy would be the best course of action in their case.

What hurt us gamers as a group are the stereotypes, poor coverage/research in the media and ignorant authorities. Ignorance is what really gets my goat, especially officials who are paid to know what they're talking about, but jump to rash conclusions and make huge generalisations. Let's get some perspective: Video gaming is culture. Therefore, a lot of people play video games. There's also a lot of criminals and violent crimes in society due to several factors. Chances are high some of these overlap eachother, and thus the media, who witness a murder (not entirely rare, sadly) jump to the conclusion that the criminal played Call of Duty or GTA which made him snap.

This is the sad truth in many cases. Enlightenment is needed amongst the rest of the public, and I will send a journalist a cookie if he'd write a comprehensive article on this matter.