Video games are fun. Millions of people from all age groups play games regularly. From Facebook moms playing Feeding Frenzy to professional eSports players participating in multi-million dollar tournaments like Dota 2’s The International, gaming has become a huge part of our society.
For years, however, video games have also been at the center of numerous discussions. From in-game mechanics being compared to gambling, to countries imposing laws to limit playtime for minors, all the way to games being linked to murders: There certainly is a lot of controversy surrounding video games and their effects on people. One of the longest-running topics of debate, though, is the correlation between gaming and violent behavior.
Video Games and Violence
While the discussion about video games and violence first arose around the 1970s arcade era, the first major controversy came in 1992: Mortal Kombat was released into arcades in North America. The game depicted violence in a way never seen before, with gore and (for the time) detailed animations showing characters killing each other in gruesome ways. It did not take long for politicians and the press to take notice.
As a result of growing concerns of media outlets and parents alike, US senator Joe Lieberman went to congress to discuss video games and violence. This ultimately led to the foundation of the ESRB, the control board that classifies games into age groups (and does so to this very day). And while Mortal Kombat was not banned from shelves and arcades, it certainly sparked the conversation about video games and violence: Since then, politicians, newspapers, and experts have tried to blame mass shootings and gruesome murders on video games.
But, as research indicates, video games are not the sole cause of violent tendencies. Nevertheless, there certainly seems to be a link between gaming and aggressive behavior. If you have ever lost a match in a competitive game like Madden, NBA, or FIFA in the very last seconds, you know the kind of rage that unfolds after that.
Gaming as a Social Experience
Back in the day, if you wanted to play video games, you either had to go to an arcade or own a home console. Arcades, especially, were a sacred place for gamers, a place to meet up with your friends and play a few rounds of Pacman, Space Invaders, or Donkey Kong. If you were lucky enough to have one of the first major home consoles, such as the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), you were bound to make some new friends at the playground.
However, gaming is no longer bound to arcades or home console owners. Instead, many people play games on their phones and tablets. In addition, websites make it possible to play slot machines, poker, and blackjack online for money. Trustworthy gaming sites like this allow users to play for fun while connecting socially with other players – something that has proved important over the past 12 months in particular.
With video games becoming more accessible, the entry bar for new gamers gets significantly lower. And with the diversity in games today, there sure is something for everyone, from the smallest kid to the most-seasoned centenarian. In addition, as mentioned, gaming has become a social experience. About 20 years ago, most games were single-player focused. Sure, you had your LAN party favorites like DOOM, Quake, or the original Counter-Strike 1.6. But for most gamers, playing with other people meant sharing a split-screen in Mario Kart on a small tube TV.
Since then, the video game industry has constantly been evolving, and so did the landscape for online multiplayer. Millions of players have found their way into online gaming with the rise of Xbox Live, Facebook Games, and PlayStation Network. As a result, some games are being released as multiplayer-only titles, such as Fortnite, Fall Guys, or Warzone, Call of Duty’s spin on the battle royale genre.
The stigma of the nerd playing video games alone in his room for hours upon hours will probably continue to stick for a while. But when the first lockdowns came into effect last year, many people started to turn to games to connect with their friends. This indicates that video games can be a fun and effective way to communicate with your friends. This way, you can keep your social relationships alive, even though you are physically separated from the other person.
Video Games and Mental Health
While there may not be a direct link between video games and violence, there is some evidence that gaming can have a negative impact on people prone to addiction. And even though video game addiction has not been officially classified as an addictive disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it certainly has caught the attention of researchers and scientists.
Over the last few years, we have seen extreme cases of video game addiction. Stories about players going temporarily blind or even dying as a result of playing video games for multiple days without breaks have made headlines. As a result, countries like China and Japan have imposed laws limiting the number of hours minors can play video games to counteract addiction.
And what about people that make a living playing video games? Professional eSports players and streamers have stressed time and time again that becoming a pro gamer is not always the dream job many envision it to be. Just like running a successful YouTube channel, playing video games for 10+ hours every day certainly is no cakewalk.
A lot of people start streaming because they enjoy playing video games. They want to share their experiences with an audience, often with no monetary incentive in mind. However, as their channel grows in popularity, they soon realize that they have to stream even more to increase their subscriber count. Suddenly, what once started as a hobby has become a job requiring you to be online for more than 10 hours every day. Factor in the constant exposure to an audience of thousands that watch your every move, and you got a recipe for potential disaster.
Time and time again, we have seen some of the biggest streamers take time off or outright quit. Many of them cite mental health as one of the main reasons for their temporary or permanent departure. And, to be honest, who can blame them? Playing video games professionally might sound like the perfect job description. Still, it can turn into a nightmare that will drain your mental resources very quickly.
Video gaming has, without a doubt, become a big part of our lives. From the casual gamer to the professional eSports player, millions of people enjoy escaping into the digital world. However, topics such as addiction and mental health in gaming should not be swept under the rug. Like anything good in life, you have to know how much is too much.