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Since the early days of digital entertainment, video games have been both celebrated and vilified. Among the most persistent and controversial claims is the idea that violent video games—particularly titles like Grand Theft Auto (GTA), Call of Duty (COD), and Doom—promote real-world violence. This belief has fueled political debates, media panic, and even policy proposals. But what does the science actually say?
This post explores the origins of the myth, the evidence for and against it, and how decades of peer-reviewed research have largely debunked the idea that violent video games cause violent behavior.
The Origins of the Myth
The fear that media can corrupt youth is not new. In the 1950s, comic books were blamed for juvenile delinquency. In the 1980s, heavy metal music was accused of promoting Satanism and suicide. By the 1990s, video games became the new scapegoat.
The controversy intensified in 1993 with the release of Mortal Kombat, a fighting game known for its graphic “fatalities.” That same year, Doom—a first-person shooter with pixelated gore—was released and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The panic reached a fever pitch after the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, when it was revealed that the shooters were fans of Doom. Politicians and pundits quickly pointed fingers at video games as a root cause of the tragedy.
This moral panic was further fueled by congressional hearings, sensationalist media coverage, and public statements from figures like Senator Joe Lieberman and Hillary Clinton, who called for stricter regulation of violent games.
The Case For the Link: Early Studies and Misinterpretations
Some early psychological studies appeared to support the idea that violent video games could increase aggression. These studies often used laboratory settings where participants played a violent or non-violent game and were then asked to perform tasks that measured aggression—such as blasting an opponent with noise or assigning them unpleasant tasks.
A 2001 meta-analysis by Anderson and Bushman concluded that violent video games increased aggressive thoughts and behaviors. However, these findings were criticized for methodological flaws, including:
- Short-term focus: Most studies measured aggression minutes after gameplay, not long-term behavior.
- Artificial settings: Lab-based aggression tasks don’t reflect real-world violence.
- Publication bias: Studies showing a link were more likely to be published than those showing no effect.
The Case Against the Link: Modern Research and Meta-Analyses
As research methods improved, the narrative began to shift. Larger, longitudinal studies and meta-analyses began to challenge the early findings.
🔬 Oxford Internet Institute (2019)
A study of over 2,000 adolescents found no evidence that playing violent video games led to increased aggression. The researchers emphasized that earlier studies may have overstated the effects due to poor methodology.
📊 Royal Society Open Science (2020)
This study analyzed data from more than 1,000 UK teens and found no significant relationship between violent video game play and aggressive behavior. The authors noted that earlier studies may have suffered from publication bias.
🧠 American Psychological Association (APA) Task Force (2019)
While the APA acknowledged a small correlation between violent games and short-term aggression, they clarified that this does not translate into criminal violence. They explicitly warned against using their findings to justify policy or moral panic.
🧪 City University of London (2021)
Economist Dr. Agne Suziedelyte found no evidence that violent video games increase real-world violence among boys aged 8–18. In fact, she suggested that games might have an “incapacitation effect”—keeping kids indoors and away from trouble.
Case Studies: GTA, COD, and Doom
🎮 Grand Theft Auto (GTA)
Often cited as the poster child for video game violence, GTA allows players to engage in criminal acts. Yet despite its popularity, there is no empirical evidence linking GTA to increased crime rates. In fact, a 2019 study published in Psychological Science found that even when players engaged in violent acts in GTA, it did not increase aggression in controlled experiments.
🎖️ Call of Duty (COD)
As a military shooter, COD features realistic combat scenarios. However, studies have shown that context matters—players often distinguish between fantasy violence and real-world morality. Cooperative gameplay in COD has even been shown to reduce aggression in some cases.
👹 Doom
Blamed for Columbine, Doom became a symbol of the supposed link between games and violence. Yet, no causal connection was ever established. The FBI and Secret Service concluded that the shooters’ psychological profiles and social environments were far more relevant than their gaming habits.
Why the Myth Persists
Despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary, the myth that video games cause violence persists. Why?
1. Moral Panic and Media Sensationalism
News outlets often seek simple explanations for complex tragedies. Video games are an easy target—especially when perpetrators happen to be gamers (as most young people are).
2. Political Theater
Blaming video games allows politicians to appear proactive without addressing deeper issues like gun control, mental health, or socioeconomic inequality.
3. Confirmation Bias
People tend to remember stories that confirm their beliefs. If someone already believes games are harmful, they’re more likely to notice headlines that support that view.
The Broader Picture: Context, Personality, and Environment
Modern psychology emphasizes that aggression is multi-causal. Factors like family environment, mental health, peer influence, and socioeconomic status play far larger roles in shaping behavior than media consumption.
Moreover, individual differences matter. A person predisposed to aggression may be drawn to violent games—but that doesn’t mean the games caused their behavior. Correlation is not causation.
The Positive Side of Gaming
It’s also worth noting that video games can have positive effects:
- Cognitive benefits: Improved spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and multitasking.
- Social connection: Online games foster teamwork and communication.
- Emotional regulation: Games can serve as a safe outlet for stress and frustration.
Some researchers even argue that violent games can provide a form of catharsis, allowing players to process emotions in a controlled environment.
My Own Experience
I am a huge gamer. One of my favorite games to play is called Diablo II for the PC. It was a 90s game that was on Battlenet for a long while. It is considered an Action Role-Play Game (ARPG) with hack and slash elements. Back in the day, it supported up to 8 players through Battlenet online, but Blizzard has since removed the game from Battlenet, making it an offline, single player experience these days.
I have struggled at times with adulting and socializing. I get frustrated easily when dealing with other people, and for me, when I have those days, I would boot up Diablo II and take out that rage on pixelized monsters. It was the answer to being violent with someone else. I could take out my aggression on something in a legal and undamaging way, so in a way, it wasn’t the video game causing violence, but moreso the video game allowing an environment that I could release the violence onto. A reverse of reverse, as YuGiOh would put it.
Conclusion
The belief that violent video games cause real-world violence is a myth rooted in fear, not fact. While early studies raised concerns, decades of peer-reviewed research have failed to establish a causal link. Games like GTA, COD, and Doom may be provocative, but they are not predictors of criminal behavior.
As with any form of media, context, moderation, and individual differences matter. But the science is clear: video games are not to blame for society’s violence. It’s time to move beyond the scapegoating and focus on real solutions to real problems.
References
- Violence and Video Games – Wikipedia
- Video Games and Aggression – Simply Put Psych
- Eight Myths About Video Games – PBS
- Study Finds No Evidence That More Violent, Difficult Video Games Spur Aggression – APS
- Just a Game? Study Shows No Evidence That Violent Video Games Lead to Real-Life Violence – ScienceDaily
- Effects of Violent Video Games – JSTOR
- Violent Video Games: Content, Attitudes, and Norms – Springer
- APA Task Force Report on Violent Video Games (2019)
- Violence, Hate Speech, and Discrimination in Video Games – Social Inclusion
🎮 For the Pixel-Worn & Battle-Weary: Cathartic Gaming Picks
If you’re like me and find catharsis in unleashing digital fury on demonic sprites or rogue AI, here are some indie gems and game soundtracks worth exploring—legal aggression, leveled up.
Hades: A roguelike ARPG with satisfying combat and mythic storytelling. This game has won Playstation 5 Game of 2021 and Xbox Series X Game of 2021 on Metacritic along with 50 Game of the Year Awards. Currently available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox X.
Slay the Spire: A deckbuilding game for the Switch with roguelike elements, players climb the spire while navigating layout changes, accessing different paths, enemies, cards, relics and bosses. A cerebral strategy game where cards must be chosen wisely to be victorious.
Doom Eternal OST: Available on CD, Amazon Prime Music, mp3 and even vinyl, this soundtrack is epic for all those adrenaline junkies who want a soundtrack to rage to.
Listen to Doom Eternal on Amazon
Hallow Knight Building Set: Based on the indie video game “Hallow Knight” for Switch, this LEGO-compatible building set features our friend with scenery befitting the Hallow Knight franchise. It brings the aesthetic of the epic game right to your fingertips as you assemble the hero, the bench and the lamp post with 329 pieces of fun. Compatible with LED lights, this set makes the perfect display gift for those loving the Hallow Knight game.
And my list would not be complete without something Legend of Zelda, so here goes:
Breath of the Wild Korok Plushies: This set of 4 Korok plush set measures 3.9 inches each and is the perfect gift for any Legend of Zelda fan! They are so cute and soft and make great display pieces for anyone who loves Koroks as much as I do.