Videogames Don’t Kill People, Idiots Do: Why Games Are a Scapegoat

by Dan Landis on December 20, 2007 at 6:54 pm

Exhibits A and B: Idiots

The recent story we reported about the kids supposedly using Mortal Kombat moves to kill a seven year old girl has got me thinking: How do people go about linking videogames to real-world violence?

I read today about a woman picked up for stealing videogame merchandise from a Wal-Mart in Cocoa, Florida. The article also mentions that the 23-year-old woman was previously in trouble with the law for neglecting her son to the point where he wandered off and was found dead in a ditch.

Obviously the woman was charged with manslaughter on top of the neglect, but the case was thrown out of court due to “insufficient evidence”.

So here we have one individual that was involved in two totally unrelated crimes spaced almost four years apart. How easy would it be to associate one behavior with the other?

People like Jack Thompson and Dr. Phil love to search the history of people involved in violent acts and automatically associate their videogame activities with their real-world actions.

Exhibit C: Douchebag

It is my opinion that the aforementioned “Mortal Kombat” killers are associated with the videogames for three reasons:

1. They’re young. Thirty years ago it would have been Black Sabbath instead of Mortal Kombat.

2. The young man used videogames as his alibi, stating he wasn’t involved.

3. Money. The gaming industry is larger than Hollywood, and lawyers want a piece of that pie.

At this point in my life, I’ve read significantly more stories about violent crimes not associated with anything than I have about violence associated with rap music, heavy metal, videogames, or cartoons.

The bottom line is that I do think videogames can be “inspirational” for deeply disturbed people to do deeply disturbed things. Violent people are naturally drawn to violence, even if it’s only digital.

I also submit to the idea that videogames increase aggression, but no more so than any other competitive activity like football or even bowling, and it’s not a permanent effect.

A Fine Example of Pleasant Conversation

A normal kid is not going to kill his parents because he spent 8 hours straight pushing buttons on a controller. If anything, I think it’s quite the opposite.

I personally find videogames to be therapeutic. Whenever I may get the urge to kill people, I can take out that aggression on digital characters without the real-world consequences of guilt, jail time, physical harm to myself, or blood on my new pants.

If someone happens to do something violent and happens to also play videogames, that does NOT mean that videogames actually cause any violence.

This is a clear case of simple stereotyping, and we all know that’s a no-no. So I say to all you stereotypers out there: stop being dicks, or I will kill you.

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Tags: black_sabbath, dr_phil, gaming_industry, insufficient_evidence, jack_thompson, manslaughter, mortal_kombat_moves, trouble_with_the_law, unrelated_crimes, videogames, violent_acts, violent_crimes

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Comments »

TruthHurtz
on December 20, 2007 8:38 pm

Um what? You can’t be serious.

Although i believe that video game violence is not the sole cause of some violent acts but to deny its part in it all is ignorant.
Dan Landis
on December 20, 2007 9:11 pm

Maybe you should re-read what I wrote. I think videogames can inspire people to act violently, but those people are already disturbed. NORMAL people do not watch something on TV or shoot someone in a videogame and think that it is SOOOO FUCKING COOL that they have to go do it in real life. Videogames don’t CAUSE violence. If you honestly think a 16-year-old and 17 year-old can’t make a conscious decision whether or not to beat a little girl to death, that Mortal Kombat somehow “made” them do it, then perhaps you should go to law school. It’s my belief that most people are in control of their own actions, and if they’re not, then it’s called a mental disorder. Anyone who says they don’t have control over themselves needs to be locked up, one way or another. You can’t fault the videogames themselves for the violence they may inspire. If you feel otherwise, then by your logic, religion is the cause of the most violence in history. Unless you think reading the Bible or the Koran actually forces people to go on murderous rampages, then I don’t think that’s a road you want to travel.

Anyone that does or sees anything, anywhere is obviously affected by it in however small of a way. Unless you live in an impossible dream world void of any stimulation of any sort, you are affected by your environment. Normal, sane people know right from wrong. Parents are supposed to make sure their kids understand this concept. It’s their job to put what little Jimmy sees into context so that he doesn’t grow up to be a murderous asshole. Blaming anything other than yourself for the actions you make is just plain being a pussy.

So to answer your question, TruthHurtz: Yes, I’m serious.
Fords
on December 20, 2007 10:00 pm

I’m in agreement with you Dan. People are far too quick to place the blame somewhere else these days. How the hell can any sensible person justify doing such horrible things to a seven year old, drunk or not? It’s sick and it’s cowardly, especially now they’re trying to blame a bloody videogame. I don’t remember any part of MK that tells you to practice your moves on people in real life for a start…
Leon
on December 20, 2007 10:04 pm

You know, it amazes me every time I see an article like this. How many times over the decades, with something new being a scapegoat, does this have to be explained before it becomes common sense? Is it just the American culture that is constantly wanting to blame something other than the parents? Or is it just our media that is always wanting to sensationalize everything that we have to hear about such stretches to the imagination that find a link to violence and videogames(currently)? I don’t even think that the majority of the population even agrees with the way that these “news stories” are being portrayed. It has been seen too many times over the last few decades that it is either the media and their need for more numbers or the politicians and their need for recognition for never really doing anything. The only ones who could possibly be swayed by such complete crap are the completely uninformed.
pswi60
on December 20, 2007 11:06 pm

so you post this sensationalist crap all over the net, and then follow it up with a soapbox editorial.

why don’t you research the topic “websites that do anything for hits and the idiots that read them”?

thats the last time ripten gets me coming and going
Evan Clapham
on December 21, 2007 12:39 am

So fucken true man. It seems that these days nobody is responsible for thier own actions, it always seems to be someone elses fault. ‘Video games made me do it’ or ‘Heavy metal made me do it’ or whatever the fuck. And all these PC losers lap it up. Society was fucked up well before video games ever existed. Funny how third world countries that don’t have video games seem to have the most violence. Was Osama Bin Laden playing xbox when he thought of comitting mass murder? Think about it you idiots.
Dan
on December 21, 2007 2:33 am

The people that are blaming video games for violence are not even taken seriously by intelligent people. Liars like Jack Thompson try to gain attention and feed their sickly egos by demonizing video games or whatever means necessary. You will find that the people that demonize games are usually liars, or unintelligent individuals. If you do a google search for “Jack Thompson liar” you will find plenty of things to back up my claim. As for video games and violence. THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE PLAYING VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES EVERY DAY THAT WOULD NOT HURT A FLY AND HAVE CLEAN CRIMINAL RECORDS. UNEQUIVOCAL PROOF THAT VIDEO GAMES DO NOT KILL PEOPLE :]
Pasi Puskala
on December 21, 2007 10:32 am

To think these irresponsible morons who don’t watch at all what their little children are playing might actually fuck everything up for the rest of us.

It’s already happened to some extent in Germany. Wouldn’t it be fine to see all the great games getting sensored or even banned for good?

There is no blame to be put on the video games. However I do think that for a 14 year-old it might be damaging to play adult-rated games such as GTA for example.

Take your responsibility parents!!!
Wolf26pack
on December 22, 2007 12:23 am

This Article is speaks the Words of Common Sense. It is the responsibility of Parents to teach there children the difference between right and wrong. The difference between Reality & Virtual Reality. If you as a Parent see or hear your kid playing Grand Theft Auto & all he is doing is Killing Hookers & running over Pedestrians and never really playing the game,maybe you should take away the game. I once knew of a kid who played GTA and all he did was talk about the different types of gun’s in the game. He knew every Model,Brand & Make it was really Scary!!! He even had pictures of guns in his wallet and he was like 14 maybe 15. I told his mom about this but weather she talked to him or took away the game I don’t know. People like that need to stay away from GTA,Manhunt & such.

As for myself my parents taught me the difference between reality & virtual reality so I can play GTA,Ninja Gaiden,Devil May Cry etc etc etc…. Without it affecting my judgement. Also if you look at my library of games I have games that range from Sly Cooper to Ninja Gaiden. IMHO Parents should really watch what there kids are playing and what they do in these games. If your child has nothing but violent games maybe you should have a talk with him.
Dennis
on December 22, 2007 2:02 pm

Jiolence in video games has nothing to do with the violence in my soul. Do yo9u know haow many times i’ve jumped up kicked and screamed at Catan, or Hexic. Hm. Entirely non-violent games, yet, violent action ensues! Terribly interesting, no?

Great point Dan! Keep up the good work!
Sputnik
on December 22, 2007 11:05 pm

Love the article, we have anumber of talking points in common. I blogged my thoughts here:
http://youseemii.com/2007/12/20/blame-video-games-its-easier/

I’m always glad to see people who are passionate about this subject, it’s a shame so many are quick to place blame.
Dan Landis
on December 24, 2007 3:59 pm

It’s amazing that I find so much support on this videogame-related website! Thanks, everyone!

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