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Last week it was revealed that Donald Trump and select members of the game industry would meet to talk about how violent video games are corrupting the nation's youth. Today, that meeting took place.In addition to Trump, others in attendance included Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Representative Vicky Hartzier (R-Missouri), and Representative Martha Roby (R-Alabama). Those from the gaming industry in attendance were Strauss Zelnick (Take-Two), Brent Bozell (Rockstar Games), Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (Media Research Center), Patricia Vance (author of On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society), Mike Gallagher (ESA), Robert Altman (ZeniMax), Melissa Henson (a mother from the Parents Television Council).
A statement released by the ESA noted that they "discussed the numerous scientific studies establishing that there is no connection between video games and violence, First Amendment protection of video games, and how our industry’s rating system effectively helps parents make informed entertainment choices." The meeting also included a short video showcasing violent scenes in games that are rated M (17+) by the ESRB. The clips were shown entirely without any context.
This is the "Violence in Video Games" video that Trump and those in attendance were shown. Clips include part of the "No Russian" mission from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, various Fallout clips, various Wolfenstein clips (Editor's Note: I would like to believe these made Trump particularly uncomfortable), and clips from games like Dead by Daylight, The Evil Within, and the Sniper Elite franchise.
While the video played, Trump reportedly remarked about how violent the scenes were. Melissa Henson said that she was unable to identify any of the games in the clips. Henson did release a prepared statement that said the following.
“What I heard in today’s meeting is that the entertainment industry is still fighting to maintain the status quo and is not ready or willing to confront the impact that media violence has on our children.”
That's a very bold stance to take when these games are available around the world yet it's only the United States that seems to have an issue with gun violence. I wonder why that is. It is also important to note here that the Parents Television Council ranked violent media (games, movies, and TV) behind guns and mental health as leading contributors to gun violence.
But no, let's focus on the games.
The topic where violent games might be an issue is exposing mentally unstable people to violent imagery, someone will want to translate that imagery to the real world, i've no doubt that can and has happened but that goes for any violent fiction. If a disturbed person is seeking out violent imagery and they can't find it in games they'll look to movies, if they can't find it in movies they'll go to videos, pictures, comics, books, if you start down that path i don't think you stop until you start censoring free speech.
Better taking care of mentally unwell people sounds like a better start to me, but there are plenty of people who are sound of mind who are simply evil and their favourite forms of entertainment will be of the mature variety, so someone's always going to point that out when real world violence occurs. For them i have no answer or response, all i can do is think aloud.
Maybe we shouldn't highlight negative news more than good, there are plenty of prevented murders which get close to no coverage.
Maybe the current generation of parents and grandparents in power are so harsh on games because they don't understand them, and that future generations will have better ideas when tackling real world violence.
Those are just some half thoughts, simply adding to the discussion.
People want to blame everything but themselves. Put the blame on an object and somehow that's supposed to fix everything.
Violent video games certainly desensitize me, and certain dark humor makes me laugh at the cost of virtual characters perishing in awkward ways (like flinging a toilet at an opponent in HL2), but to have any desires to see a real human life suffer that fate? That's beyond horrible. Don't they realize adult gamers who play violent video games also enjoy cat videos at the other end of the spectrum?
Increased aggression? Maybe if it's something frustrating that can cause a ragequit. But to continue raging and going around causing harm? Um... No, not really. Those are very isolated cases and few and far between thank God. And I don't mean myself, I am referring to world news talking about gamers committing acts of harm towards themselves and others.
...Heck somebody show them Child's Play Charity.