The gaming industry has seen a significant rise in the popularity of violent video games over the years. While these games offer entertainment, they also raise concerns about their potential impact on the players’ aggression and societal values.
This article aims to explore the complex relationship between violent video games and the gaming industry, delving into the ethical concerns surrounding video game violence, the potential influence of violent video games on attitudes, norms, and values, and the industry’s responsibilities in addressing these issues.
We will also discuss the changing demographics of video game players, the increasing exposure of children and adolescents to violent video games, and the potential influence of video games on societal values.
The Impact of Video Game Violence
The gaming industry has been a significant part of the entertainment landscape for several decades. However, the controversy surrounding the impact of video game violence on society has been a hot topic. Some argue that violent video games can contribute to real-life violence, while others maintain that the evidence linking the two is insufficient.
In 2015, a report from the American Psychological Association determined that playing violent video games is linked to increased aggression, but it did not find sufficient evidence of a link between the games and increased violence.
The organization reaffirmed this position in 2020, stating that there is a small, reliable association between violent video game use and aggressive outcomes, such as yelling and pushing. However, these research findings are difficult to extend to more violent outcomes.
The Gaming Industry’s Response.
The gaming industry has taken steps to address the concerns raised by researchers and the public. In response to public outcry following the release of violent video games in the 1990s, the industry voluntarily established the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) in 1994 to create a ratings system.
Based on the video game’s content, the ESRB assigns one of the following ratings: “Early Childhood,” “Everyone,” “Everyone 10+,” “Teen,” “Mature,” “Adults Only,” or “Rating Pending” (only for use in advertising for games not yet rated).
In a Pew Research Center 2008 survey, 50% of boys and 14% of girls aged 12-17 listed a game with a “Mature” or “Adults Only” rating in their current top three favorite games. This suggests that the gaming industry has been proactive in providing content that is appropriate for different age groups.
The Economic Impact of the Gaming Industry.
The gaming industry is a major contributor to the global economy. In 2020, the global video game industry was worth $159.3 billion, a 9.3% increase from 2019. Video games accounted for 17% of kids’ entertainment time and 11% of their entertainment spending. The largest gaming companies worldwide had a market capitalization of several billion dollars as of 2023.
The gaming industry is expected to continue growing in the coming years. Video game market revenue worldwide is projected to increase from 2017 to 2027. The video gaming market revenue growth from 2018 to 2027 is also expected to be significant.
In conclusion, while there are valid concerns about the potential impact of video game violence on society, the evidence linking the two is not conclusive. The gaming industry has taken steps to address these concerns and continues to be a major contributor to the global economy.
Youth Exposure and Trends.
Increasing Exposure Among Children and Adolescents
The use of violent video games among children and adolescents has been on the rise over the years. This trend is largely driven by the increasing accessibility and popularity of such games in the digital age.
A study compiled by Chinese scholars and widely used in the field, the Violent Video Game Exposure Questionnaire, rates the degree of exposure to violent video games based on the amount of exposure, which is calculated as the sum of violent content times the frequency of using games divided by three. The higher the score, the more exposure to violent video games 2.
Changing Demographics of Video Game Players
The demographics of video game players are evolving, with a noticeable shift in the gender and age groups that are increasingly drawn to violent video games. Previously, violent video games were often associated with male players, but recent research indicates that both boys and girls are playing these games at increasing rates. This shift could be attributed to a variety of factors, including changing societal attitudes towards gaming and the increasing diversity of game content 2.
Increasing Exposure of Children and Adolescents
The exposure of children and adolescents to violent video games has been on the rise over the years. This trend is largely driven by the increasing accessibility and popularity of such games in the digital age.
A study compiled by Chinese scholars and widely used in the field, the Violent Video Game Exposure Questionnaire, rates the degree of exposure to violent video games based on the amount of exposure, which is calculated as the sum of violent content times the frequency of using games divided by three. The higher the score, the more exposure to violent video games 2.
Furthermore, the study found that violent video games can affect the social interaction of children and adolescents, thereby increasing their problem behaviors, and this effect has gender and age differences.
In terms of gender, although boys generally show more exposure to violent video games in their daily lives, their immersion is more susceptible to peer influence, while girls are the opposite. In terms of age, the influence of peers presents different characteristics in different age groups.
The immersion of primary school students is more susceptible to deviant peer affiliation, while the exposure of high school students is more susceptible to deviant peer affiliation.
In conclusion, while there is an increasing trend of youth exposure to violent video games, the demographics of video game players are also evolving, with both boys and girls playing these games at increasing rates. This shift is influenced by various factors, including changing societal attitudes and the increasing diversity of game content.
In conclusion, while there is an increasing trend of youth exposure to violent video games, the demographics of video game players are also evolving, with both boys and girls playing these games at increasing rates. This shift is influenced by various factors, including changing societal attitudes and the increasing diversity of game content.
Psychological and Societal Implications.
Complex Social Problem of Violence
Violence is a complex social problem that cannot be addressed solely by focusing on video game use. It involves a multitude of factors, including societal structures, cultural norms, and individual attitudes and behaviors. Violence in video games is often depicted in a way that can normalize aggressive behavior, which can potentially influence the attitudes and behaviors of players.
Influence of Violent Video Games on Attitudes, Norms, and Values
Violent video games can have a significant influence on attitudes, norms, and values. The depiction of violence in these games can shape players’ understanding of aggression and its acceptability. According to Bandura’s social cognitive theory, violent video games can initiate adolescents’ observational learning.
Not only can they imitate the aggressive behavior of the model, but also their understanding and acceptability about aggression may change. Therefore, normative beliefs about aggression can also be a mediator between violent video games and adolescent aggression.
Studies have shown that normative beliefs about aggression are directly related to aggression. First, self-reported aggression is significantly correlated to normative beliefs about aggression. General normative beliefs about aggression can predict young people’s physical, verbal, and indirect aggression.
Retaliatory normative beliefs about aggression can anticipate adolescent retaliation behavior after 1 year. There is a longitudinal temporal association of normative beliefs about aggression with aggression. Normative beliefs about aggression are significantly positively related to online aggressive behavior, which is the most important determining factor of adolescent cyberbullying.
In conclusion, while video games can influence attitudes, norms, and values, it is crucial to consider multiple factors beyond video game use when addressing the complex social problem of violence.
Ethical Concerns and Industry Responsibility.
Exploring the Ethical Concerns Surrounding Video Game Violence
Video game violence raises a number of ethical concerns. One of the primary concerns is the potential for violent video games to generate or perpetuate morally objectionable norms of appropriate violence. This means that while the content of the game may be violent, the way it is presented and the actions that the game encourages can also be objectionable.
For instance, the internal logic of a game can express, encourage, and legitimate objectionable attitudes and norms of appropriate violence. This means that the way a game is structured and the choices it presents to the player can shape their understanding and acceptance of violence. Games can also express attitudes of hatred and prejudice by targeting specific groups in its gameplay.
The Responsibilities of the Gaming Industry.
The gaming industry has a responsibility to address these ethical concerns. The industry should strive to create games that do not normalize violence or perpetuate objectionable norms. This involves not only the content of the game but also the way it is structured and the choices it presents to the player.
Furthermore, the industry should also consider the potential influence of video games on societal values. Video games can have a significant influence on the values and norms of society. This is particularly true for violent video games, which can normalize aggressive behavior and reinforce harmful stereotypes.
In conclusion, the gaming industry has a responsibility to address the ethical concerns surrounding video game violence. This involves not only the content of the games but also the way they are structured and the choices they present to the player.
The industry should also consider the potential influence of video games on societal values and strive to create games that do not normalize violence or perpetuate objectionable norms. Consider reading another article i wrote about >>>> Video Game Violence and Esports to learn more.
