Video Game Violence Research has been a controversial topic over the last few years for both researchers and gamers alike, but there’s a bit of ridiculousness when it comes to this research. What most of this comes down to is the Rating System and the Parents, and there are plenty of reasons why. For one thing, the ESRB, Pegi, etc system is meant to provide parents (and the gamers) with guidelines as to what they should/could be able to play and what they shouldn’t. Yet every year we hear the same case about some 12-year-old playing Grand Theft Auto V and then committing some heinous act of violence towards another human being.

There’s three weapons and a rottweiler in a violent pose on the cover,

what the hell did you expect parents?

To be honest, parents are the ones responsible for buying their underage children games like Grand Theft Auto V, Max Payne, and Pay Day when in reality, they should be purchasing their children a pogo stick (and teaching them how to pogo stick). There is no reason why 12-year-olds should be exposed to such games, let alone allow them to engage in them. However, it is the lapse of judgement of parents that leads kids to be aware of such games. Of course, this is the fault of grown-ups! After all, no 12-year-old would walk into Game Stop asking for Grand Theft Auto V and then actually get the game in their hands as they exit the store. However, if something like this ever happens, then the salesman should be fired because he might not know why an underage kid should not check out mature content. It’s no different than a hustler selling kids bootleg pornography on the street.

When you see your child looking at this image while playing their game, it’s time to

take the game back to the store.

The sad thing is most parents are too lazy to even flip the cover art over to cover B in order to get a small preview of what’s on the disc, it also doesn’t help that the rating is there as well. we can blame games when these acts are committed after a game has been played beforehand, but this is nothing more than a scapegoat that hold little merit in the long run. It’s the you the parents’ responsibility to do prerequisite research on the game your child asks you for, if you plan on buying it for them. A quick search on Google or hell even questions from friends who are more in the loop about modern gaming does wonders when it comes to protecting your child from violent imagery in gaming. As stated above the child could have some sort of disorder that caused them to do these things that the parent wasn’t aware (some may very well be aware).

You willingly paid $60 so your 8 year old child could see this?

I get it, no one wants to be called a bad parent, but when you blame the games that contains this content, it’s basically the pot calling the kettle black. The situation goes like this; the parents ask their child what game they want, the child names some violent game the parent knows nothing about, the parent buys the game not know what’s inside the disc they just paid $60 for. Parents it’s time to step up, instead of picking up a phone or going to your e-mail, learn about the game your child wants, and when you learn that there’s content you don’t want them to know about yet, then sit down and explain to them why. Additionally, try playing other games without violence with your kids. One such example could be Colonist, which can help boost cognitive thinking in children. Spending time with them and playing games that are constructive can also help you in bonding with your kid. It’s that simple, I understand that kids grow up fast and there are indeed young children who are more ready for this type of thing than most, but if you know/think your child isn’t take action and do something about it.

“Our games are not designed for young people,” he said. “If you’re a parent and buy one of our games for your child you’re a terrible parent. We design games for adults because we’re adults.

“There’s a lot of kids games out there that we’re not interested in playing. Just like you enjoy watching movies and TV shows with adult themes and language and violence that’s the kind of thing we seek to produce.”

However, despite recent controversy on the discussion of violent video games, Lazlow believes that the tides are turning:

“I think that Rockstar has pushed a lot of boundaries to be able to make the art that that we believe we should be able to make. If you tell a gritty crime drama with violence and profanity and call it The Sopranos you’re handed a load of awards to put up on the shelf. You do the same and call it a video game and you’ll have certain organisations up in arms.

“I think ever since GTA IV came out and there were such rave reviews by major publications saying that this is actually art the restrictions about being politically correct have largely fallen away.”

The above is a quote from Rockstar Games; Creators of Grand Theft Auto.