In almost every video game, we are killing, beating or destroying something.

[Blitzvogel]

Chess is arguably violent and involves killing. Maybe we shouldn't play that either D:

We can spend all day playing Duck, Duck, Goose, singling out our fellow human beings to be ostracized.

 

[silvan4now]

and what is so wrong into virtually killing stuff ?

 

[RandomSanity]

Dead island really isnt killing. I mean, they are zombies, which are undead, but they aren't really alive either. They are reanimated, thats all.

We are doing them a favor.

Have you even played Dead Island? A lot of the missions involve killing humans.

Killing things is fun and makes us feel manly. Gives us an excuse not to use violence in real life.

 

[lord_emperor]

.... can I?

You can watch yourself pee too. In fact it's encouraged for accuracy.

 

[Dankk]

i'm trying to see what the problem is?

You and me both.

You have to directly/indirectly kill a few folks in Mirror's Edge....no matter how you play the game.

I really wish DICE would roll out another one.....some of the best art direction I've ever seen in a video game.

They've announced Mirrors Edge 2, and its been in the early stages of development for some time now. Will definitely be a pre-order for me (well, if they don't do any Origin-only shenanigans).

 

[frozentundra123456]

I used to work with this guy who was so straight laced by the book that it was ridiculous. He thought games were a waste of time, and that I was too old to play games. But even he said: "If I am going to play a game, at least I want to kill something."

So yes it is an escape from the boredom and frustation of daily life. The only time I object to violence is when it is used to cover up a bad story or poorly designed game. For instance, I thought that Dragon Age II, especially with persistent gore enabled, was over the top with exploding blood (and overdone art design), at least partially to make up for lazy design of the rest of the game. It didnt bother me in the first dragon age, because it had a much better story, and the blood seemed secondary to the story, not almost the point of the game to see how much exploding blood you could see.

 

[Corporate Thug]

sports games.

 

[RebelCapitalist]

I play violent games from time to time because they took away my Colosseum and I don't think our weak politicians are going allow "games" anytime soon.

 

[Craig234]

I considered a post but think it's likely a waste in terms of this being an issue it's hard to get people to change their opinion on.

But I will make a point on de-sensitization. When motion pictures were first invented, and a movie was made in which a robber shot a gun towards the audience, people fainted.

I think 'murder simulator' games do have an effect on people that they don't appreciate, but since it's not as simple as 'then they go shoot people', it's hard to appreciate.

One other point: I think there is a difference between watching violence - e.g., film - and when you are the person 'doing it', moving a character, pulling a trigger for hours.

I think parts of the brain are similar with 'real' and 'fantasy' violence. Others are not.

 

[Grooveriding]

I think for someone who is not seriously mentally unstable this is a non-issue. I play almost exclusively FPS games online against others, but the idea of shooting a gun at someone else in real life, for that matter, even handling a real firearm period; is completely repulsive to me.

They're just games! I agree it would instill a bit more confidence in people to see some enjoyment of games that are not violence-centric. Myst was a good example, the lego games are not really violent.

There is always the Wii

 

[greenhawk]

PS, never had to kill things to play Ultima Online.

thinking of that, I could add the game from WoW, "Auction House". That little gem of a game that has soo many players taking time out from their usual fun to do some light gambling

Or "Box Uncreating" from TF2. For just a little bit of trading (some skills required) you can get crates without playing, then using what you find to continue your game. Winner is the one with the most stuff.