video game violence, is this a problem?

www.foxnews.com...

"Active Shooter," a video game that allows players to simulate a school shooting, prompted outrage in the wake of multiple mass shootings at American schools. The game is set to be released on June 6 and will be available on Steam, a digital distribution platform developed by Valve. Players are given the option to either be a SWAT team member or the shooter while simulating a shooting in a school environment.

In the discussion over what makes some kids in the US shoot their piers in school, many things were mentioned as possible causes. And just as strongly as the gun crowd defends the position that guns aren't the sole cause and all existed long before this kind of tragedy started to become somewhat regular, the video game crowd is just as protective of their spot.

But here we have a game were you can be a school shooter, shoot others in a school environment. I'd have to say that this is a bit sick. And it kind of makes a case for those who wish to blame video games as a possible part of the issues here. I know that while guns have existed for quite some time, blood and guts video games are about as new as the school shooting epidemic itself.

And just to save an argument, I am aware that video games are all over the world, and the school shooting thing is primarily a US thing. I am only bringing this particular game to the attention of ATS for discussion. And Sweden is full of guns, with little to no school shootings.

No

Just No

Well... If I'm seriously a mental case and I shouldn't be around bugs bunny cartoons, fireworks, lighters, or anything that I could use to harm you with... then maybe?


Man, it all boils down to just having to be one sick #@$% to kill someone in real life. That person would have no soul and I don't mean like James Brown. Nothing has anything to do with any of it. The only factors that would ever under any circumstance:

- Metal state
- Family values
- Prone to bullying


period

a reply to: network dude

Let's call it a contributing factor.
Along with participation trophies.
Lack of discipline.
Anti depressant drugs.
And the pressure to decide your entire future employment during your freshman year.

a reply to: network dude

I should point out...


How many of us have only now learned of this game and was curious enough to go look at it... then think "hmm... I'd play that".

Be honest!

*Raises Hand*


Am I a sick #$@%? No... Just a little twisted. I like midget porn too.


Now how many of us will actually decide to wake up one day and attempt to live out that game?

..Yeah... I have midget... errrr Little people porn to watch.

a reply to: network dude

It's been researched to death....

gizmodo.com...


www.center4research.org...

with no definitive conclusions..but I don't think gamers are violent in the RW.

Why do young white males kill their peers en mass? It's complicated....but perhaps we should ask some of those YWM and ask them what would drive them to mass murder.

a reply to: network dude

Remember back in the day when rock and roll was to blame for everything?

a reply to: network dude

I’ve been playing video games since the 80s.

Not once did I think I was a hedgehog collecting rings, an Italian plumber jumping on mushrooms, a hacker, member of a SWAT team, a person who can steal and drive/fly anything, a member of the mob, a female ancient artefact collector or a wizard/mage.

The “video games cause violence” has been around for a long long time and, imo, it’s just stupid.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: network dude

Remember back in the day when rock and roll was to blame for everything?

I admit is was a contributing factor in my wild and crazy life style for many years. Plenty of scars on that old strat and me as well.

a reply to: network dude

I don't think a "school shooter" video game would contribute to someone participating in a school shooting if they didn't all ready have the ability to do it; but the fact that someone made the video game at all is pretty disgusting and telling of the problems we face as a society.
Once upon a time we set our kids up to work, taught them to support themselves, read a damn book, go outside and learn to interact with their peers and the world; now we're fine if they're in their rooms beating hookers, shooting people, or getting lost in intangible relationships... as long as they're quiet.

No, I have been playing violent video games, violent pen and paper RPG's for 30+ years and never considered shooting people.

I would say look into the families, how many were raised in good homes, broken homes, abusive homes,or work aholic parent homes.

originally posted by: network dude
www.foxnews.com...

"Active Shooter," a video game that allows players to simulate a school shooting, prompted outrage in the wake of multiple mass shootings at American schools. The game is set to be released on June 6 and will be available on Steam, a digital distribution platform developed by Valve. Players are given the option to either be a SWAT team member or the shooter while simulating a shooting in a school environment.

In the discussion over what makes some kids in the US shoot their piers in school, many things were mentioned as possible causes. And just as strongly as the gun crowd defends the position that guns aren't the sole cause and all existed long before this kind of tragedy started to become somewhat regular, the video game crowd is just as protective of their spot.

But here we have a game were you can be a school shooter, shoot others in a school environment. I'd have to say that this is a bit sick. And it kind of makes a case for those who wish to blame video games as a possible part of the issues here. I know that while guns have existed for quite some time, blood and guts video games are about as new as the school shooting epidemic itself.

And just to save an argument, I am aware that video games are all over the world, and the school shooting thing is primarily a US thing. I am only bringing this particular game to the attention of ATS for discussion. And Sweden is full of guns, with little to no school shootings.

I think violent first person shooters are a contributing factor. Games are more realistic than ever and it has to desensitize some people.

I don't believe the games should be banned or anything like that as we are talking about them affecting an infinitesimally small amount of weirdos and nut jobs.

I also believe hip hop glorifying violence and dysfunctional also contributes to violence in urban communities.

I love the gratiutious violence in FPS games and even trap hip hop. However, I cannot ignore that some people who might not be able to distinguish between reality and fantasy could be negatively affected.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: network dude

Remember back in the day when rock and roll was to blame for everything?

You mean it isn't?

a reply to: network dude

The article is about a FPS game where you can play a school shooter or SWAT officer, and a future content release will allow you to play a civilian trying to survive. Sure, the game is in poor taste but the article isn't saying video games are the problem with US mass school shootings. You are.

One great thing about Steam is that small time developers can make and distribute their games but the downside is you can get a lot garbage and very distasteful games. Chances are the game won't be very popular, especially if it's just another generic FPS and that goes double if the game play is garbage/buggy.

Just searched for this game via Steam, I doubt anyone will play this game and it will die out in the not too distant future.

The only four comments so far via Steams curator page.

"Steam Curators are individuals or organizations that make recommendations to help others discover interesting games in the Steam catalog."

Apparently no one knows about this game or doesn't give a damn about it so maybe Fox News should stop giving it attention?

- "at least it isn't another Hentai game"

- "Halo announcer voice": Active Shooter"

- "the developer of this trash is not only an asset flopping fake developer, they are despicable human garbage"

- "yet another shock game that shouldn't exist. Sure other games might be more horrific, however, this game is made based on a hollow foundation for attention and money, judging from their others"

A message from the Developers.

"Please do not take any of this seriously. This is only meant to be the simulation and nothing else. If you feel like hurting someone or people around you, please seek help from local psychiatrists or dial 911 (or applicable). Thank you "

For more from the Dev team and over 400 comments click here.

Notable comments;

- "Can't wait to buy this game, just to piss off the triggered crazy libs. Would pay for beta / alpha access ! "

- "Why are liberals on here on the first place? "

- "If you remove the shooter role because of SJW's = I will not buy "

- "The American left and cuckservatives can die in a fire. In fact, put that in too."

- "BTW, these salty tears of SJWs are delicious!"

- "Finally we can make a list of all the incels that download this and Trump can round them all up and send them to the gulags."

- "Video games are protected by free speech, do not let some overly sensitive virtue signalers stop you from releasing the full entire game.

You would be doing the world a disservice by allowing these voices to control your release. "

Gotta love free speech.

originally posted by: Irishhaf
No, I have been playing violent video games, violent pen and paper RPG's for 30+ years and never considered shooting people.

I would say look into the families, how many were raised in good homes, broken homes, abusive homes,or work aholic parent homes.

Just because you haven't considered it doesn't mean others won't...

99.99% of people can play these games and not be influenced. However, there are mentally unstable people who very well may be unduly influenced.

As someone who has been blowing gory holes in avatars for most of my now longish life, I can vigorously attest to the fact there is no relation. I am happy goring it up in games and flicks, but have zero violent inclinations in the "real" world ... well, I do find most humans to be a general nuisance, but still don't want any harm to come to them.

I'd say the problems come from socioeconomic directions, rather than violence in media... which may be a symptom, but not a cause. We are more detached due to automation and the resultant isolation from physical presence, with its missing scent and other sensory cues ... while parents have to work all the time, now, rather than parent... and economic uncertainty breeds fear, fostering hopelessness, etc.

As always, the problems are more complex than the more... er, simplistic folks think they are. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if laws were enacted making all game characters required to sit in church a 3rd of the time.

a reply to: DBCowboy

My point!

Don't listen to Sabbath... They sing about the devil.
- Curiosity peaked. Now a sabbath fan

Don't play D&D... It's all demons.
- Curiosity peaked. Now a level 12 nerd

Don't listen to Iron Maden. They talk about the antichrist.
- Curiosity peaked... Now a level 20 Metal Head






Now here is something... Is everyone thinking "NOOOOO!!! This game is SICK!"?

If anyone actually looked into it... There are no children in this game. It's all adults vs adults with only adult women running around as hostages. It really is on the poor side of game making.

So no... The only thing that has people up in arms is the name and that the fighting is taking place in a school. God forbid if there were actually showing kids in the manner that went into our minds when we heard about the game.

I do wonder these days to be honest. Back in the day when I played FPS (doom and Solider of Fortune), the graphics were nothing like todays. Parents seem to have no idea that the number on the corner means an age limit, I still game occasionally and am amazed at the sound of what seem like screaming Valkyrie otherwise known as children playing Call of Duty, Battlefield or GTA type games, calling the person that killed then every curse word under the sun. Children have these consoles in the bedrooms now and spend all there spare time desensitising themselves to killing, whilst their parents are just happy they are quiet.

a reply to: TerryDon79

Maybe possible they should consider that in this day and age, it's a good thing to have Call of Duty


Lives are now saved, sir!

a reply to: TerryDon79

Maybe possible they should consider that in this day and age, it's a good thing to have Call of Duty


Lives are now saved, sir!