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

By: Dan Landis

Dan Landis — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:59:16 +0000

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

By: Sputnik

Sputnik — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 03:05:12 +0000

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.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:02:09 +0000

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!

By: Wolf26pack

Wolf26pack — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:23:40 +0000

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.

By: Pasi Puskala

Pasi Puskala — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:32:11 +0000

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!!!

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:33:16 +0000

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 :]

By: Evan Clapham

Evan Clapham — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:39:21 +0000

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.

By: pswi60

pswi60 — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 03:06:59 +0000

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

By: Leon

Leon — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:04:49 +0000

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.

By: Fords

Fords — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:00:03 +0000

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…

By: Dan Landis

Dan Landis — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:11:50 +0000

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.

By: TruthHurtz

TruthHurtz — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:38:50 +0000

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.