The Video Game Dispute Essay Example

My topic’s conflict began around the year 1975, at this point many people believed that video games at this point were becoming too “violent”. “Death Race” a slightly more complicated version of Pong, which was a game similar to table tennis but in a 2-dimensional form was forced to be removed from the market due to public outcry. Another question is does gaming have a negative effect on the developing brain? We would all be stumbling around in dark rooms and eating pills, listening to repetitive electronic music if Pac-Man had affected us as kids (Brigstock). These people cite the belief that video games negatively affect the developing brain ignore the fact video games are a viable source of entertainment and learning

The issue presented with video games is how they affect the developing brain. There are different types of games, and each type can have benefits or detriments depending on how one looks at it (Dr. Hummer). The problem with talking about video games is that the topic is much larger than it seems. Videos games have hundreds of genres; action is just one of these genres. However, action also has sub-genres which are platformers (Mario), fighting games (streetfighter), survival (Minecraft), and many more. Streetfighter is a game that will help the player achieve better hand-eye coordination. Minecraft is a game that enhances the players' strategy and creativity in a way that wouldn’t be achievable in real life. Specifically, adolescents and teens don't have mature frontal lobes, so they can't weigh the negative consequences that come with a video game addiction (Amy Paturel). Too much of anything is bad, if a person their blood will begin to thin. Too much protein can cause dehydration. Playing video games for too long may indicate that a person does not look after themselves. Like anything in life, you need to take it in moderation. Too much of anything can ruin somebody’s life. It has been proven by child behavior expert and pediatrician Jenny Radesky, that video games have a more positive effect when used in moderation. It is recommended that everyone who plays video games take breaks and engage in other activities like anything game playing can be abused. However, the specific way video games affect the development of the brain isn’t the only issue people are concerned about.

Over the past 45 years, video games have been the subject of public outcry. Some games were pulled from the shelves due to their violent content. Such actions led to the creation of a group called the Entertainment Software Rating Board which regulated the content rating of games. This organization is involved in the process of deciding whether a game is rated M for Mature or T for Teen. These ratings led to multiple government officials attempting to introduce bills that would ultimately reduce the number of video games available to the general public. “The city ordinance would have forbidden any operator of five or more video-game machines in one place from allowing a minor unaccompanied by a parent, guardian, or other custodians to use an amusement machine that is harmful to minors” (National Coalition Against Censorship). Video games were now limited in terms of the audience they could reach. Some parents viewed this as a good thing because they did not want their children playing violent games. “US Representative Joe Baca (D-Calif.) introduced a bill that would make selling or renting video games to minors a federal crime. The bill is aptly named the Protect Children from Video Game Sex and Violence Act of 2003. Washington State introduced a similar law, which would fine retailers about $500 for selling violent games to minors.” (National Coalition Against Censorship).  There are so many issues with this bill created, if there are rules set in place for children to not do something they will just want to do it more. I remember one day I decided I was going to head over to GameStop to buy a game called Fallout 4, I’ve played the game before and was excited to get my hands on it. When I placed the game in front of the cashier, he asked for my ID I laughed as he had seen me park my car just a minute prior. I handed over my ID to be greeted with something along the lines of “you’re not old enough to get this game”. I thought he was joking but he explained that he would lose his job, I remember getting angry and just walking out of the store. I drove home and gave my older brother the money. He went to the store and got the game for me within the hour. The moral of my story is that if children are not able to buy a certain game, they will find a way around it as I did.

People accuse video games of causing violence when they are ignoring other factors present. In the year 2003, a game known as Grand Theft Auto Vice City was under fire after a scene in the game suggests the act of murdering Haitians. Someone who played this game ended up starting a mass shooting, imitating the game. “Two Tennessee families sue the maker of Grand Theft Auto and other video game companies after a shooting in which the killer claimed he was imitating GTAIII. ----- Later the same year, NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg pressured the game company to remove the line “Kill the Haitians” from GTA: Vice City following a wave of protests by Haitian-American interest groups over the discriminatory content.” (National Coalition Against Censorship). It is unfair that people begin to blame video games as the main cause of this shooting. There are many other potential sources of such ideas in addition to video games. Anyone who commits these kinds of crimes is not of sound mind. Lawyer Jack Thompson was one of many lawyers who launched a so-called war on video games, he believes that video games are to blame for violent acts committed by teens (Brock Wilbur). Once again video games are immediately blamed for the underlying cause of violence. I understand that video games introduce many people to violent acts. However, many forms of entertainment expose their viewers to violence. Movies and TV shows often include violence in them whether it be a simple fight scene or murder. It is a double standard because almost 96 percent of Americans own televisions. 57 percent of television shows contain violence ranging from verbal abuse to crimes such as murder. The way in which is portrayed is not important. Whether it is video games or television show it does not matter. If one is being used as a scapegoat for violence, then so should the other.

There is proof that video games positively affect children and their abilities to learn. “A study from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Charité University Medicine St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus has revealed that playing real-time strategy games, such as Super Mario 64, can increase the brain's gray matter.” (Joseph K.) The variety and volume of video games make them popular. Children can play the games they prefer. This is a clever way to trick children into learning! The child would be irritated if he or she had to study math all day. When learning one thing continuously, it is difficult for children to concentrate. If a child has a choice between video games and classwork, it's most likely they'll choose video games. Video games have been shown to improve test scores in classrooms that use them. (Jane Parent). Playing a game or solving a puzzle provides an opportunity to teach math. It seems as if video games, and school coexist in a grey area. No matter what children are learning a brand-new concept which they can apply later. This idea has advanced exponentially over the past decade. A lot of video games teach kids delegation skills, teamwork skills, and prioritization skills. Playing online games with real-life friends often requires collaboration and organization to complete a level.