The Hidden Side of Violent Games

Games have affected our lives in one way or another, ranging from the game of tag that you played when you were young, to the friendly game of billiards you had with Joe. As the games developed, the favorite amongst all ages, particularly teen is ‘Role Playing games’ (more commonly referred to as RPGs). RPGs can range from the classics of ‘Mario’ and ‘Galaga’ all the way to the modern day favorites such as the Call of duty franchise. Role playing games with simulated violence have however become a substantial topic of controversy. While many hold an animosity against the games like Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed and GTA, many fail to see the benefits from these games. Many parents have found these games to be so detrimental to their child’s health, that they have banned the genre all together. This policy invites the question, should role playing games with simulated violence be banned?

In this essay I will argue that games in this genre provide benefits for a child which are highly beneficial, and unique to these games. The essay will attempt to state and defend two claims: first, banning these games can harm your child, as these games develop their cognitive skills; and second, violent role playing games teach children independence.

With the difficulty of acquiring a job rapidly increasing, every skill and technique will help a child to acquire a job. Role playing games with simulated violence, provide a benefit which is unique to them. These games improves the cognitive skills of children. Recent studies by the American Psychology Association (APA) state that games with simulated violence, improve the spatial navigation, reasoning, memory and perception of a child.

These qualities, which can be applied anywhere, have been found to be particularly helpful in the S.T.E.M field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Adam Zartin, an IB student at the International School of Manila, states that “As an avid gamer, I have had first hand experience with the benefits of gaming. I’ve seen how my friends skills in areas such as problem solving has increased, after introducing them to my favorite games; CS GO and Dota” For those unaware CS GO is an acronym for the game Counter-Strike Global Offensive which is a leading competitor in the First Person Shooter market. DOTA, or Defense of The Ancients, is the second most played Massive Online Battle Arena type game. These are both games which simulate violence, and as shown they have both improved students results in their school life. Adam also talk about the possibility of becoming a professional gamer, and his aspiration to join this multi-billion dollar industry.

While I grant that many may argue, that these skills can be acquired through other means, if not games without violence may provide the sames skills. This while a good argument is incorrect. Meta-analysis done by the APA, shows that not only is the cognitive growth unique to games with violence, the growth is much greater than formal courses which are designed to enhance the same quality. Given these statistics, parents should reconsider prohibiting the play of games in this genre, as doing so will only cause more harm to their child’s future, than the potential harm which they are trying to prevent.

To sum up, I affirm that prohibiting role playing games with simulated violence, is unjust to the child, as doing so will put them at a level below the children who do play these games.

A common argument for banning games in this genre, is that these games teach children the wrong morals, and gives the wrong mentality on violence, which leads them to have no emotional response on crime, and see crime as an acceptable action. However prohibiting access to these games, will only bring more harm to the children. These games teach them a skill which is not easily taught by other sources. RPG’s with simulated violence teach them about independence. As show on Guy Martin’s article on NY times ‘High Jinks: Shootout’, students at times had to take their life in their own hands, and make important decisions by themselves. One student portrayed this, by his action of planning ahead, and making sure that he was given the go with his plan, to eliminate his target. This game also builds the students independence, by teaching students, to be wise when choosing who they trust, and be cunning when making their plans.

Additionally, I will also grant a statistically proven premise. While it does seem that the Norwegian shootout is related to game Call of duty, Recent studies by the APA, show that the crime rate in adolescents has decreased, as the sales of video games with violence increase. To sum up, I affirm that prohibiting role playing games with simulated violence, harms the child by withholding useful benefits which help them with every action they perform.

In the modern world, violent games are seen as a threat to society...as something which need to be exterminated from society. However taking this mentality will be detrimental to your child’s growth. Many have argued that these games should be banned and kept away from children. In this speech, I have tried to defend the tolerance of this genre of games. I have argued that these games arm the child with improved cognitive skills, and teach them about the valuable skill of independence. A natural objection is that these games lead to more crimes, but I have offered reasons why this may be untrue. Role play games with simulated violence should not be banned, as they provide many benefits for a child. Parents, act now, bring back these games from your locker, think twice before saying no when your child asks for a game.

By Roshan