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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Video Games: a Controversy

   Do video games make people (especially children) violent? That question has plagued gamers almost since the dawn of video games some 40 years ago. It all started with the release of Death Race in 1976; the objective of the game was to run over goblins to increase your score. Unfortunately not long after the game's release, parents protested and many cabinets were destroyed. Ever since then, video games have come over heavy criticism and many wanted video games banned, at the helm of this argument is Jack Thompson, an anti-video game activist who claimed that some games act as "murder simulators." Thompson has also claimed that games like Grand Theft Auto, Doom, and Max Payne are    "dangerous physical appliances that teach a kids how to efficiently kill and love it." 

Though convincing, Thompson's claims are false; in fact, data showed that the crime and arrest rate for children under 18 decreased by 40 percent in the 90's after video games hit mainstream popularity. That's not all, research has shown that video games can increase the hand-eye coordination and decision-making skills of the player. Though when playing, a player must be aware of the risks of playing too long. Eye strain, headache, and fatigue are common side effects of exposure longer then 12+ hours. 

Video games can be a great stress reliever not only do statistics show this but video games have helped me through the struggles that life has thrown my way. Games like Super Mario Galaxy, Medal of Honor, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl helped me cope with difficult situations in my life. I hope one day video games won't just be scapegoats for violence, and people can come together and figure out a way to minimize violence across the globe.   


-Thomas Brown                   

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