Poll: So do you actually like "violent video games"?

[Lullabye]

Um, Im going to go ahead and say that the realistic violence is the best. If executed well, it gives a great sense and experience to the game/player. Excessive blood and gore is okay but it has the same effect as the cartoony violence honestly.
Stylized violence is better for most games( see DMC3) but for games like heavy rain the more realistic is better.

 

[Hides His Eyes]

Totally agree with Lilani. Also, I think the most important thing to realise is that the vast, vast majority of violence in games is altruistic. Games like GTA where you even have the option, let alone are encouraged, to commit violence against helpless people for no particular reason, are extremely rare. It's all about wish fulfillment: saving the world from evil forces, taking on the role of a total badass and enjoying it.

Nowadays I just try to ignore the ignoramuses who say violent games cause real life violence.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

It largely depends upon the game I suppose. Most video game genres I like deal with violence by their very nature. Sure, there are RPGs out there where I never have to end the life of another thing but they never catch my attention for myriad reasons. RTS games almost elusively deal with large scale murder and mayhem. FPS games are, with rare exception, games built around the application of violent force. Sure, I play some games that have no violence to them, but these are largely simulation and even then violence is often implied. Fate of the World lets me play cards that imply violence and repression for example. Racing games generally involve wrecks, and I am not above pulling incredibly cheap maneuvers in an attempt to force other vehicles into a situation I hope leads to their crashing.