Various video games include a disturbing level of violence that may make you think differently about video games. A plethora of games requires the “player,” or person playing the game, to create and indulge in that violence. It makes you wonder whether or not such levels of violence make the players replicate that in real life.

There was a multitude of studies conducted on the link between violence in games and how it transfers outside. According to Craig A. Anderson, Ph.D., and Karen E. Dill, Ph.D. from the American Psychological Association, “one study reveals that young men who are habitually aggressive may be especially vulnerable to the aggression-enhancing effects of repeated exposure to violent games.” Justice Antonio Scalia, however, stated that “they show at best some correlation between exposure to violent entertainment and minuscule real-world effects, such as children feeling more aggressive or making louder noises in the few minutes after playing a violent game than after playing a nonviolent game.” Not only that, but violence in video games can actually decrease violence outside. Markey, Markey & French said, “there was also a tendency of decrease of homicides in the months following the release of popular M-rated video games (which may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language and are generally suitable for ages 17 and older).”

With the evidence provided, we can conclude two things. One; aggression and video games, the violent kind, are definitely linked. However, the link between the two is anything but strong. While aggression may or may not increase from violent video games, the increase isn’t found on such a scale as the decrease. The decrease was visual in the graphs and statistics that were recorded. Thus, the conclusion that they have a link, however small, is very true. Whether it decreases or increases, aggression is changed by violent video games. However, is that enough to take caution against violent video games in general?

Violent video games are a hot topic for gamers. They are usually at the top of the board and loved by all kinds of gamers. Titles like Call of Duty or Halo reign supreme as some of the top violent games, typically known as First Person Shooters or F.P.S. games. According to the researchers at The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), “violent video games also allow players to experience dangerous situations – kinds we likely wouldn’t face in real life – in a safe environment, as well as to regulate our emotions.” Associate Professor Michael Kasumovic, a researcher at USNW Sydney, stated, “the motivations we have to play violent video games stem from our desire to become better as individuals.” There are numerous reasons why gamers love violent video games, and a multitude of gamers can attest to this.

Overall, violence in video games can alter your level of violence in real life. That alteration may be positive or negative, however, it is not guaranteed. Not only that but removing violent video games is very unlikely to happen, if at all. So with this new information brought to light, think about what the next video game you buy can entail for your future health.