Sellars 1 Antonia Sellars Instructor: Malcolm Campbell English 1102 19 March 2014 Videogames: Distraction or Destruction?

Videogames are universal; kids and adults alike play them every day but some never stop to think about whether or not what they see or do on these videogames will affect their lives in any way. So, this poses the questions of how first person shooter games are affecting sensitivity to real-world problems and if they do make people more violent in reality. Some people spend a majority of their time playing these videogames so much that it may be sometimes hard for them to separate reality from the game. So I will be examining the potential risks associated with this issue as well. From where I am sitting, first-person shooter games can definitely be effective to certain people but I feel it depends on how strong your mind is and how you let outside things affect you inside. According to my mother, I am emotionally detached anyway, so first-person shooter games dont affect my mentality one way or another. The thing about that is, what is true for me and someone else may not be true for every person who participates in these first-person shooter games. When I asked a few friends what they thought about this topic, two stood out to me more than the others. Kania Wilson, a female non-players response was: It could be effective depending on age and maturity; younger people are probably more affected than older people. When I asked Darrell Smith, a male video game player his response was: Yes, I feel that it changes the way a person looks and thinks about real life pertaining to the things they see and do
Commented [JH4]: Great questions! Commented [JH5]: From my perspective, or from my standpoint or point of view Commented [JH1]: Picked one for you Commented [JH2]: Current date Commented [JH3]: GREAT TITLE

Sellars 2 on the videogames. I feel as though the first-person shooter games affect many more than they even realize. Many researchers and statistics prove my position to be correct. An article in the New York Times by Michael Gonchar, entitled, Do Violent Video Games Make People More Violent in Real Life? was aimed at figuring out whether or not there is direct correlation to violence and violent video games. The article went on to mention another writing entitled Shooting in the Dark, by Benedict Carey, that talked about the fact that the men involved in violent massacres like the movie theater in Colorado and columbine high school had one thing in common; they were all gamers who enjoyed playing violent video games. According Carey, Playing the games can and does stir hostile urges and mildly aggressive behavior in the short term. Moreover, youngsters who develop a gaming habit can become slightly more aggressive as measured by clashes with peers, for instance at least over a period of a year or two, which shed light on some of the questions of people who shared this concern. Also according to an article written by John L. Sherry entitled Research on Violent Video Games and Aggression: A translation, Experts whove calculated the variance have found that exposure to violent video games increases violent behavior from 13% to 22%. Although there has been many studies trying to show how first person shooter games have negatively affected society, and I somewhat agree, forbes.com has pointed out that, as violent video games have become more popular, violent crime has fallen. Different people have different perceptions on the effects of first-person shooter games vary because of many factors. The different factors could be their gender, their tolerance for violence, and maybe even there background and at-home life. During my own independent studies Ive found that men are more likely to say that the first-person shooter games dont affect them but they do admit to an adrenaline rush while playing. Women are more likely to be a little
Commented [JH6]: In relation to those factors, how does the gender play a role in determining ones mindset? Scientifically or Professionally speaking, how could all of these factors play a specific role in how someone thinks about a first person shooter game? Has there been any university studies? Commented [JH7]: What does an adrenaline rush do? How does it make men or women act? How does it affect their mind and in relation to the game, how could it make them act towards the game versus real life?

Sellars 3 more squeamish when it comes to the vulgarity, blood and gore depicted on videogames like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto. Recently, in Chicago there was a 16 year old boy who killed his 17 year old brother by stabbing him in the chest because he had the higher score of 17 on a game called Flappy Bird according to geekclick.org. For this game to be non-violent and to cause such dire behavior, it makes you wonder what it could cause someone who plays violent videogames to do. Many people can be affected by this issue both directly and indirectly. The stakeholders of this issue are both people who do and do not play videogames, video game creators and manufacturers, the people who became or may become victims of crime because of those people who are negatively affected by first-person shooter games, and also video game researchers.
Commented [JH8]: This is a bit biased. Are all women squeamish? What studies show that men are more likely to do so than women? Real life experiences? In the news or media? Be careful when it comes to personal aesthetic.

Sellars 4 Works Cited Carey, Benedict. "Shooting in the Dark." The New York Times. The New York Times, 11 Feb. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/science/studying-the-effects-ofplaying-violent-video-games.html?_r=0>. Gonchar, Michael. "Do Violent Video Games Make People More Violent in Real Life?" The Learning Network Do Violent Video Games Make People More Violent in Real Life Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. <http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/13/do-violent-video-gamesmake-people-more-violent-in-real-life/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0>. John L Sherry. "Research on Violent Video Games and Agression: A Translation." Http://icagames.comm.msu.edu/violence.pdf. N.p., n.d. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Ficagames.comm.msu.edu%2Fviolence>. Kain, Erik. "Do Games Like 'Grand Theft Auto V' Cause Real-World Violence?" Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2013/09/18/do-games-like-grand-theft-auto-v-cause-realworld-violence/>. "Teen Arrested For Killing Brother Over 'Flappy Bird' Game (3 Images)." Geek Click Teen Arrested For Killing Brother Over Flappy Bird Game Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. <http://geekclick.org/teen-arrested-for-killing-brother-over-flappy-bird-game/>.
Commented [JH9]: Last name first.

Sellars 5 Great Job Niah. I really enjoyed this paper. There are several things I want to point out to you and also congratulate you on as well. You have a great set up with this paper. I really enjoyed the beginning paragraph where you asked lots of great questions. Some things that confused me or I am concerned about are if you addressed all of the questions and instructions in regards to the assignment sheet for the second draft. The paper should be a minimum of approx. 5 pages and that excludes the works cited pages. You have a lot of great sources, so I advise you to definitely go back and look at more information about your excellent topic. Some other ideas and concerns that I want to share are being careful when talking about the women and men gender differences. That can become tricky, as some women may feel like you have limited them to a specific group who ALL think games are for men and they cannot play them either. Also, you definitely want to elaborate on the incidences and examples such as the flappy bird incident. What types of feelings or what could cause a man or woman to become so angry at another human being other than what you have already stated (testosterone levels or adrenaline maybe?) Elaborate on the types of feelings and what is going on in the mind of a healthy person (presumably healthy) to make them want to act violently in nature. How does the factors you have listed play a role in determining ones mindset with the video games? I want to point out that you have very great questions and factors as well. Just maybe explain HOW rather than the WHY so that we as your peers and friends can understand the concept more in depth. If this is an argumentative paper, describe your stance nearing the end as well, and also split up and describe

Sellars 6 the different points of views from the negative and positive. Your paper definitely states a clear position, and provides some brief details of support. You may want to address the opposition and their supporting evidence as well. This will conclude the argument. The closing has already been included where you have taken action as far as not believing their views. Be sure to go back and include the scholarly article if you have not done so already. You have done a great job thus far with incorporating your own experiences, but be sure to go back and explore more with the sources and delve deeper into the facts and ideas that the sources have to offer. The MLA format works cited page appears to be great as well! You are on your way to a beautiful masterpiece Niah! Only a few more paragraphs and you will be all done!