Violent games make you a psycho?

For those of you who haven’t seen this on the news recently, Tim Kretschmer (Germany) visited his former school and shot 15 people. Why? Because he’s a mental case, not because he played video games. I too am saddened that these things happen in this world, and I certainly despise the people that are responsible for such acts. But what I despise even more is the media’s position on the situation. Multiple newssites all around the globe are now putting out headlines like “German shooter played violent games”. Why is this even relevant? The mainstream media still seems to think that there is a connection between playing violent games and being a psychopath with personal issues. I don’t get it.

I’ve played online shooters in clan competitions for over 5 years. I still regularly beat people up in GTA IV. I slay zombies using lawnmowers, bowling balls and every other item I can use as weaponry in Dead Rising. I know a lot of other people all around the world do, just look at the sales figures of games in general. It’s a booming industry. How many people out of the millions that buy these games actually perform horrible acts like this? I’d say the percentage is well below 0,0001 percent if not less (luckily).

All I’m trying to say is that games are not the reason people do these things. The media always loves to blame them though when it comes to acts like this one. Can games be the trigger that ticks them off just that final bit? Maybe. Maybe not. But it can just as well be any other thing; a violent movie, music, you name it. But you never see those pop up in the media. “German shooter listened to death metal”, “German shooter watched serial killer movie the day before”.

It takes a person with a serious mental disorder to do a thing like this. If you do these kinds of things your life is a mess. At least in your own perception. So much that you think your only way out is death. Seeing as how he goes to his old school to eventually reach his goal, only seems to indicate that his stressor originated there. At least, in my non-psychiatric opinion. All I’m trying to say is that the media should stop blaming games for the world’s misery.

Steven | Algemeen, Games | 12-03-2009 8:27 | 0 reacties

All opinions expressed on this site are my own and are, in no way, related to the company I work for.
All sponsored products, company names, brand names, trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners.
Running on Wordpress, theme inspired by Yamidoo Magazine, built from the ground up by me.
© 2010 - Dvolve.org