Do Video Games Really Impact Actions of Gameplayers?

After we have been discussing the effects that video games have on children along with adults alike, I wonder is there really a connection between the two? My answer is no. Video games are an entertainment form that we use in the world to let us escape reality for a minute amount of time. Just because there are some games that invoke violence, negative attitudes and criminal behavior, I do not think this has an effect on players. There are going to be those select few that think that they are able to accomplish the things video game characters do but for the most part, we know that they are games.

My best example of this would be by looking at the Columbine shootings. This happened in 1999 and long before violent video games were a part of the entertainment industry. There are people that are going to do crazy things in life and we simply can not blame a video game for it. When I play Grand Theft Auto, I understand that it is a game and it attracts me for the simple reason that I can do illegal things on the game and not get into real trouble for it. It is sort of like when kids under 18 smoke cigarettes. They do it because it gives them some suspense in life. They like the fact that they are doing something illegal and are getting away with it. But then these same kids, turn 18, and most of them never smoke again. Society today is full of people that like to do rebellious things. Once it is no longer rebellious, we stop doing it. Video games are the same way. We know that we can do things that are not acceptable in society in these games but when we put the controller down, these things could get us into major trouble.

When it comes down to it, video games do not play that big of a role in how people act today. All they do is take us away for a minute and let us escape the real world. Those who are invoked to do negative things after they put down the controller are the ones that shouldn't be playing video games. In the end, I think it all comes down to the person playing. If they are mature enough to understand that this is a video game and fantasy life, they will be able to play without trying to do things these characters do. Just because I play Madden, I don't go outside and think that I am Ray Lewis and should just start nailing people around me. Reality is reality and fantasy is fantasy. Those who do not understand this need to put down the controller and get a REALITY check.