Do violent video games cause bad behavior?
Daniel Leonard
Professor Garza
Engl 1302
September 30, 2013
Does playing violent video games pose a threat to the human child mind?
Who can forget the little virtual plumber, “Super Mario”, who squashed Goombas (mushroom shape deviants) and the Koopa Troopas (turtles with running shoes), hurled over Bullet Bills (missile- like creatures), avoided and or sometimes burned the Piranha Plants (who hid in plumbing tubes) with special fire ball powers (that were acquired from a special plant that he consumed), this act of courage and valor was shown through various stages of the game, all in order to save the lovely Princess Peach (ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom) from the ferocious, fire breathing, evil commander of the “Koopa Troopas” Bowser. “Super Mario Bros” was one of the games that revolutionized the gaming industry, back in the early 80’s. The game was sort of a comedic genre; it also had action, adventure and a story line behind it, which is what kept the player(s) entertained. Video games such as “Super Mario Bros”, a game that started it all, set the bar high for all future video games.
The games of today are very; graphical, intense, exhilarating, and violent, but also at often times they can seem very realistic. Most of these games tend to allow the player to pretend or portray the type of character they would like such as; good or bad, human or monster, etc. For example games such as “Grand Theft Auto” is a game in which the player(s) can go around kill other characters, steal things, do drugs, pick up prostitutes off the streets and engage in ‘certain activities’. Although these contemporary games offer a sense of excitement and also a sense of adrenaline, the disparity between where video games started out offering and what is picked up today is startling.
In a world that is so dependent and reliable on technology, society often tends to get too involved and addicted, that they cannot deter fantasy and real life.
Craig Anderson Professor of Iowa
Professor Garza
Engl 1302
September 30, 2013
Does playing violent video games pose a threat to the human child mind?
Who can forget the little virtual plumber, “Super Mario”, who squashed Goombas (mushroom shape deviants) and the Koopa Troopas (turtles with running shoes), hurled over Bullet Bills (missile- like creatures), avoided and or sometimes burned the Piranha Plants (who hid in plumbing tubes) with special fire ball powers (that were acquired from a special plant that he consumed), this act of courage and valor was shown through various stages of the game, all in order to save the lovely Princess Peach (ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom) from the ferocious, fire breathing, evil commander of the “Koopa Troopas” Bowser. “Super Mario Bros” was one of the games that revolutionized the gaming industry, back in the early 80’s. The game was sort of a comedic genre; it also had action, adventure and a story line behind it, which is what kept the player(s) entertained. Video games such as “Super Mario Bros”, a game that started it all, set the bar high for all future video games.
The games of today are very; graphical, intense, exhilarating, and violent, but also at often times they can seem very realistic. Most of these games tend to allow the player to pretend or portray the type of character they would like such as; good or bad, human or monster, etc. For example games such as “Grand Theft Auto” is a game in which the player(s) can go around kill other characters, steal things, do drugs, pick up prostitutes off the streets and engage in ‘certain activities’. Although these contemporary games offer a sense of excitement and also a sense of adrenaline, the disparity between where video games started out offering and what is picked up today is startling.
In a world that is so dependent and reliable on technology, society often tends to get too involved and addicted, that they cannot deter fantasy and real life.
Craig Anderson Professor of Iowa
Cited: Anderson, Craig. "Violent Video Games and Other Media Violence." Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings, Ninth Edition. By John D. Rampage, John C. Bean, and June Johnson. New York: Pearson Longman, 2012. 445-48. Print Jenkins, Henry. "Reality Bytes: Eight Myths about Video Games Debunked." Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings, Ninth Edition. By John D. Rampage, John C. Bean, and June Johnson. New York: Pearson Longman, 2012. 449-52. Print