Why Are Violent Games So Popular?

I have my own theory about why violent games, such as Grand Theft Auto, are so popular. I feel that many people are frustrated in their everyday lives, and do not feel that they are free, or that they can express themselves in unrestrained ways. Violent games allow us to be 'monsters' without consequence, whereas often in social settings it can be frowned upon for you to even burp, or say no to somebody.

GTA is one of the most popular games ever, and coupled with its humor and characters, I feel that the above reason has something to do with it.

Your thoughts? Why do you think that violent games are so popular?

 

I agree with you that violent games are a way to sort of vent frustration. I'll use GTA as an example since you mentioned it. I can play GTA and run around shooting up the city and causing all sorts of destruction and in the end no harm is done. No real person is actually hurt and no real property is actually damaged. I've definitely done that myself - where I am frustrated with something and my release is through video games. Some people like getting out anger through working out or maybe meditating, but I think letting it out in a virtual world is just as good.

I don't think that's the only reason violent video games are popular, though. They also allow people to do many things that in the real world are taboo or outright illegal. In a game I can murder, steal, and have sex with prostitutes, among other things. These aren't things I would want to do in real life, but games allow me to live vicariously in a way. Almost gives you a sense of what it's like doing those things without actually doing anything horrible.

 

I think it is because of mass media now a days. It is not only video games. Look at music videos, the news, movies, and tv shows. Everything is becoming more graphic and more violent. Just think about the ratings of movies. In the old days, PG was fine. Now PG is pushing the limits with swearing and such! So it is the society trying to push the limits to see what kind of boundaries it can break.

 

Violent video games aren't the reason I play games. I'm only 15 but I know a good story and an amazing experience as well. I have Grand Theft Auto 5 because of the story, and also for the amazing world that Rockstar has put so much detail into. Killing pedestrians is actually something I rarely do if you mean going on a huge massacre. Video games tell amazing stories and have amazing concepts! It just seems that a lot are violent and a lot of people only focus on that part of a video game though they've never played it through to the end.

 

I don't play violent games. In my opinion; in order to play violent games, one may become violent. I can't see myself wasting my time on something I don't believe in. I don't like violence so, I'm won't play a violent game to contribute. I really can't see myself playing a game like this. I don't know what i would do. If It has something to do with being positive; I could do it. I teach children at my school and they are always talking about the violent games they play. They are not violent children. When i hear of them talking about their shooting games. I tell them i do not want to hear about guns. Next this is another reason why i don't participate in violent games. i don't like guns. I don't want to participate in a killing act or myself being killed. I'm sorry if i offend anyone but, this is how i feel. We are all different and this is what makes the world special. Being different and not playing violent games makes me content.

 

I don't think the main reason we play these games is because we're frustrated. While that may be true to some degree, it's not necessarily the case. People usually love the action involved in these games, as well as the competitive nature of the worlds in these games. I'm the calmest person I know, and I play these 'violent' video games quite frequently (almost daily if not for college). It doesn't make me violent and it doesn't say that I'm a violent person. I don't believe it means or says anything about a person's nature at all, it's just the type of games that appeal to me and all of these people. We love the action, the thrill, the competitiveness, and even the online communities of these games where we make friends with similar interests.

 

I completely agree with @waffleparty. Voilent games like Grand Theft Auto let us do many things that we can't do in real life. You kill a thousand people and trick the police just by entering a spray shop. They are so popular because today's generation have fun in killing people and deal drugs among the gangsters. As most of posts have said I lose my frustration after killing two-bit gangsters in the game.

 

Violent game are popular because they give non-violent people a chance to live out things they wouldn't normally do. like call of duty. most of the people playing this game doesn't even own a fire arm let alone plan on joining the military.