Do video games make us violent? This question will probably cause eye-rolling for most of our readers. The TV show Presseclub, which was broadcast on Phoenix on January 8, 2023, again asked about the connection between games and violence. The statement by the journalist Eva Quadbeck subsequently caused a lack of understanding and outrage, especially on Twitter.
Why violence is part of video games at all and what fascinates the developers about it, we asked them:
Brutal games
What fascinates developers about violence?
What was the show about?
The public broadcaster’s contribution discussed the course of New Year’s Eve in Berlin and other cities. There were several times Police and firefighters attacked. Various actors then quickly demanded political consequences, such as a ban on firecrackers. The possible causes and consequences of the night were discussed in detail in the press club.
what was said
However, a statement by the journalist Eva Quadbeck, the deputy editor-in-chief and head of the capital city editorial office of the editorial network Europey, caused a stir. She emphasized that, among other reasons, the role of video games must also be asked when it comes to lowering the inhibition threshold to violence:
[…] You can’t ignore what video games are being played and the realism with which people are slaughtering each other. And without batting an eyelash, it is above all young men who sit in front of these games and murder and hunt others down. The fact that sometimes the reality is no longer seen when you are standing on the street and either take action against the police or rescue workers, that can at least be an explanation. […]
You can see the show and Eva Quadbeck’s statement on Youtube look, you will find the excerpt ab Minute 21:40. Quadbeck’s comment was not discussed further on the show, but Twitter soon drew criticism for her post. For example, Twitter user Nurder Koch argues that the debate about video games has long been outdated:
link to Twitter content
In a reply to the tweet emphasizes Eva Quadbeck that she does not want to blame games for the events. But they have changed a lot since the 1990s and could lower inhibitions. A claim that Quadbeck already made on the show. In addition to many other users, there are also objections from official accounts such as the Pirate Party Saarlandwho also consider Quadbeck’s views to be antiquated.
Not only is the unnecessary rehashing of an older debate criticized, but also the fact that Quadbeck does not provide any evidence for her statement:
link to Twitter content
Others, on the other hand, react humorously to Eva Quadbeck’s surprising statement:
link to Twitter content
More recent problems than that killer game debate
still exist within the gaming scene. In the podcast we talk about how right-wing extremists misuse community platforms for their own purposes.
link to Podcast Content
What does the research say?
But what is the current scientific status on the subject of violence and video games? In fact, there is no clear evidence that violent games lower inhibitions and cause people to become violent. Although earlier studies pointed in a similar direction, they often neglected the social environment of their participants.
Overall, scientific research is not entirely unanimous, recent findings such as one Long-term study from 2021 point out, however, that there is no connection between the consumption of violent games and increased aggressiveness. A summary of the state of research you can find here.
What do you think of the statement on the influence of computer games? Do you think it’s exaggerated, complete nonsense, or can you understand the reasoning? Feel free to write it in the comments!
