By Zi Yuan Wong,

Reporter for The Metropolitan

Video games have evolved dramatically since Pong debuted in 1972. Today, players enjoy immersive experiences, stepping into the roles of monster hunters, truck drivers, or even professional chefs. Games allow us to live out dreams we might never achieve in real life. My personal library reflects this, spanning genres where I might play as a determined dwarf miner, a faceless space warrior, or even a hardworking farmer.

As the potential of video games as a form of entertainment continues to gain recognition, game developers have embraced the idea of creating content aimed at more mature audiences. This shift gave rise to groundbreaking titles like DOOM, where players step into the boots of a space marine battling hordes of demons, and Wolfenstein, which puts players in the role of an American soldier fighting against Nazis. In stark contrast to the lighthearted, “arcade-style” charm of games like Donkey Kong, these titles are unapologetically gory and violent, which are qualities that propelled them to success.

While video games provide countless hours of entertainment, they have not escaped controversy. Over the years, moral guardians have accused video games of eroding traditional values or even being associated with the Devil. In fact, during the height of the Satanic Panic, games like Pokémon were linked to Satanism. These suspicions linger to this day, with some media outlets quick to point fingers at “those darn video games” whenever incidents involving teenagers and violence come to light.

Moral guardians often worry that violent video games could turn players into violent individuals. However, if this were true, we’d be witnessing countless daily tragedies as gamers supposedly embark on rampages, which, fortunately, is far from reality. If we were truly shaped so directly by the games we play, then mastering Kerbal Space Program would mean you’re automatically a rocket scientist, and clearly, that’s not the case!

However, after some online research, it seems your mum might actually be onto something: “those darn video games!” Some researchers have found a connection between video games and aggression. While playing violent games doesn’t necessarily cause violent behavior, it could be a significant contributing factor. That said, if games like DOOM were everywhere and this theory held true, wouldn’t every player turn violent? In reality, while video games may increase the risk of violent tendencies, they are just one piece of a much larger and more complex puzzle when it comes to understanding violent behavior in teenagers.

Factors such as poverty, bullying, family violence, and untreated mental health issues can all contribute to violent behavior in teenagers. Yet, politicians often sidestep these deeper, more complex causes, opting instead to scapegoat video games. After all, blaming games is far simpler, and far more headline-friendly than addressing systemic issues like mental health crises or policy failures.

Violent video games may contribute to player aggression, but their impact is limited. Deeper issues like poverty, bullying, and a lack of mental health support have far greater influence on shaping a person’s relationship with violence. However, parents and politicians who blame video games for societal problems often overlook these critical factors, perhaps because pointing fingers at games is a simpler way to spark moral panic than addressing systemic shortcomings in parental guidance and mental health care.

Ultimately, what these game-playing teenagers truly need is stronger moral guidance and emotional support to help steer them away from physical violence. If they’re left to consume violent media without any intervention or guidance, what outcomes can society realistically anticipate? Now, I better get back to farming and selling crops in Stardew Valley, or I may jeopardize my dream of becoming a successful farmer.