Video Game Violence. Is It Game Over?

Art by Reuben Buchanan | VOX Staff

By Georgia Conroe | VOX Staff

Grand Theft Auto” is one of the best-selling games in the video game industry today. Players go on missions to gain money and respect. You can do almost anything in the game, such as fly helicopters, street race and much more. But some people just think of it as a violent game because you can kill people who are part of the story plot.

“Some of the games can be violent,” posted a visitor to “Gamers,” a video game chat room on Mocospace who identified herself as Elizabeth Swann, 14. “But they are fun to play.”

“Video game creators are trying to get down to our level as teens, where we like action and violence,” posted another “Gamers” visitor who went by Jamalia Garlington, 16.

Although video games may seem violent to some people, it doesn’t mean that people are going to do violent things once they turn off the game.

“I don’t think about it like that,” said Joshua Lindsay, a 17 year old at Towers High.

“I like killing people in the game, but I don’t want to kill them in real life,” posted a “Gamers” visitor who identified herself as Ada Wong, 14.

Red Flags
You have to be careful even when you play. The number one person you don’t want to kill in “Grand Theft Auto” is the police officer, because the more you kill, the more officers will come after you. You don’t really want to kill anybody because there are consequences to your actions in the game, like going to jail or getting the death penalty, which try to mirror consequences to your actions in real life.

Three North Fulton County teens were arrested in early August for firebombing cars in Milton, which is between Alpharetta and Cumming. The boys told police they got the idea to make Molotov cocktails after playing “Grand Theft Auto,” reported WSB-TV.

Those teens are very unusual because most gamers know better, and the gaming industry gives lots of warnings, like ratings.

“As long as the game has a mature rating on it, I don’t see a problem,” posted a “Gamers” visitor who only went by Paul, 17. You have to be 18 or older to buy a video game rated M for Mature.

“Movies can show things they want. So why can’t games?” posted Paul.

Games take safety to another level by showing public service announcements (PSA) before the game starts. You don’t get those same warnings at the movie theater. For example, “The Need for Speed” games always give a PSA saying: “The actual speed of the cars is not accurate. When driving in a real car please wear a seat belt and drive according to the speed limit.” Although individual players may ignore PSAs, they are meant to help you in the real world.

Keeping It Real
Gamers know the difference between the real world and the video game world. In the video game world you drive nice cars you can’t afford, live in big houses you can’t afford and walk around in huge cities you would love to live in one day. But when you turn off the game you don’t have those fabulous things anymore.

“Once the game ends, I come back to reality,” said Lebron Logan, a 15 year old at North Atlanta High.
His 18-year-old brother, Lee Logan said he never lets the game get to his head. “When I’m playing the game, I’m still in reality.”

Back in the real world, you have to think about the consequences of violent actions.

Life is not a game. Once it’s game over there’s no coming back to life.

Georgio, a junior at McNair High, is a Leo who likes long walks on the beach.