Is There a Link Between Violent Videogames and Real Violence?

This sign leads students who are looking for
a round of "Dance Dance Revolution" or
"Call of Duty" where to go.

Evelyn Demartelaere plays violent videogames. Whenever she gets in the mood, she cuts on her gaming console, loads her fabricated world, and guns people down in high resolution.

More and more college students, like Evelyn, who studies at Winthrop University, are playing videogames. Consequently, the mental image of a small group of old friends huddled inside a dorm room eating nachos and killing each other is integrated into the student stereotype. It’s common for people to seek release from the stress and workload of the real world in the form of videogames, especially as companies such as Nintendo and Microsoft continue to find ways to widen their gaming audiences.

With the tragedy at Sandy Hook, it’s easy to see why extra attention is thrown at the booming gaming industry. It’s no news that videogames and violence are often heard in the same sentence, and these violent games are suspected of making violent children, teens, and adults.

Dayquan Williams (right) and
Evelyn Demartelaere (left) talk gaming
in the Digiorgio Student Center at Winthrop

Is there a link? Studies disagree on the validity of these claims. “There’s a link, but it depends on the game,” says another student, Dayquan Williams. “I know a guy addicted to Call of Duty.” Call of Duty is a violent, well-known game that allows its many players to assume the role of a soldier in the US military. 

Evelyn adds, “I think it depends on mental stability.” Violence, she says, like in the case of Sandy Hook, is mental imbalance for some people. “(Playing videogames) can cause violence, but other times it’s mental stability.” Dayquan agrees: “You can play because it is fun, or you like killing people.”

What do you think? Comment below to share what you know.