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Metastudy: Violent Video Games Raise Aggression
A study aggregating results from 130 research reports on more than 130,000 subjects worldwide has more breadth than most of its predecessors regarding the effects of violent video games on youths. The conclusion of the metastudy: Exposure to violent video games directly causes increased aggressive thoughts and behavior, and decreased empathy and prosocial behavior in the youths exposed to them. The team says these study conclusions hold true across geographies, cultures, and study methods.
Read the story here.
Anglican Church Calls for Tighter Regulation of Violent Computer Games
Tighter official regulation of violent computer games was called for by members of the Church of England general synod. In a brief debate, members queued up to condemn the availability of ultra-violent games and the relative lack of restrictions on what children can see.
Read the story here.
Why Hugo Chavez Hates World of Warcraft and The Legend of Zelda
At a video arcade in the center of Venezuela’s capital, the sound of tapping buttons and the rattle of virtual gunfire fills the room as young boys battle mercenaries and zombies on games such as “Target: Terror Gold” and “House of the Dead 2.”
But in a few months this busy arcade will likely stand silent and empty, thanks to a new law here that would ban the sale and playing of violent video games and toys.
See the story here and discuss it in the forum.
Combat Games Disrespect War Laws, Report Claims
Videogames should respect the real-world rules governing wars, a report has concluded, following research into how many videogames break them.
A study of 20 titles, including many from the Call of Duty and Tom Clancy series, carried out by Pro Juvenile – an organisation which aims to protect kids from unlimited videogame violence – and Trial, which fights to prevent people who commit war crimes getting away with it, found that most of the games contained “elements that violate… international standards.”
See the story here and discuss it in the forum.
The Appeal of Violent Video Games
A new video game being released today is expected to be the fastest-selling video game ever. Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 has been described as realistic and violent.
Players can join a group of terrorists rampaging through an airport building killing people as they cry for help.
James Binns, a computer game publisher, and Marc Cieslak, reporter for BBC technology programme Click, discuss the game’s appeal.
See the video here and discuss it in the forum.
Labour MP Blasts COD: Modern Warfare 2
Two Labour MPs locked horns today over the imminent release of a widely anticipated violent video game.
Keith Vaz, the chairman of the home affairs select committee, said Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 contained such “scenes of brutality” that its makers had placed warnings within the game itself.
He urged the government to ensure such games were not played by children – but Tom Watson, the former digital engagement minister, said it would be better for MPs to support the UK’s video gaming industry.