Going to the Carnival: Why Violent Video Games Help Society

Posted on Fri 11 Apr 2008 by Keira Peney under Angry Ranting , Community .
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GTA: Going to the Carnival

A short while ago, I wrote an article on Jack Thompson, the attorney infamous for his accusations against video games, and his lengthy attempts to haul certain games (most notably Grand Theft Auto) into court.

Naturally, Thompson is an extremist. He hurts his own case, by making allegations that are untrue (for example blaming the Virginia Tech massacre on Counterstrike, when Seung-Hui Cho had not played any game more violent than Sonic).

The problem with people like Thompson is that they polarize. The automatic reaction to his accusations, and to the general media ‘outrage’ over violent video games, is to take the complete opposing stance. The normal reaction, when someone attacks something you are passionate about, is to defend it.

One of the most hazardous areas of discussion is the effect of video games on children. Regardless of how you slice it, we do draw our interpretation of the world from the people around us, and the culture we consume. Children lack critical facilities, and often cannot apply context to the things they see. They are susceptible to advertisements, which is why advertisers chase the so-called “Pester Power”. We protect them from horror movies because they lack the ability to differentiate between fantasy and reality. Children develop critical facilities at different ages, and to different degrees. I’m still incredibly squeamish when it comes to horror movies, because there is a part of my brain that starts whispering but what if it is true? Usually at 2am when I’m in the house by myself.

However, I’m also aware that horror movies are often very intense explorations of social mores, revealing and to an extent exorcising, certain beliefs. Human beings need, for whatever reason, tragedies and horrors. By containing ‘the unspeakable’ within a fantasy, it enables us to discuss it within a safe boundary.

The thing about games - that detractors say is the heart of the problem, and the main reason for the difference between games and movies or books - is that in a game you are actually playing the protagonist. You are making the decisions, however superficially, to kill or to torture. You are not just watching the unspeakable, you are actively participating in it.

As such, games tap into the carnivalesque. They allow people to invert normal social rules and expectations, to celebrate things that are transgressive, vulgar or fantastical.

There is an argument to be made that, the more rigid and structured the society, the higher the need for the carnival, and the more transgressive the carnival is.

When we look at games, there is a particular genre - a very small percentage of games - that actively courts violence, controversy, the vulgar and the transgressive. GTA fits into this, as does Scarface, Manhunt, The Godfather, and The Warriors. All these games put you into the shoes of someone who is outside of respectable ‘normal’ society, and who is completely free of the ‘normal’ social rules. We are fascinated with these figures because they give us an alternative.

If there is a market for these games - and there clearly is - then they are serving a purpose. Sociopath behavior is not well understood. We have no answer for why some people are capable of torture, murder or rape and others are not. What is important is that it is an intensely complex and variable condition. People do not play Manhunt and suddenly lose the capacity to emphasize with other human beings.

We live in a society that is increasingly isolated. To explore why and how is beyond the scope of this article, but we are leading sedentary lives, indoors, behind screens, communicating only in short bursts to strangers. Many of us move hundreds of miles from relatives, in order to find a job or attend college. It is entirely possible for someone to live their day to day life without any contact with another human being. Curiosity about strangers has been replaced with morbid fascination with celebrities. We care more about Britney Spears, Amy Winehouse and Paris Hilton than we do about our next door neighbors. Our small social circles have been replaced with fake ones.

I think it is entirely possible to go overboard with video games. Playing World of Warcraft for eight or more hours a day does damage your health, your social life and the quality of your education/work. However, I also think World of Warcraft serves a very real need in our society, where we can escape from a rigid and fairly unsatisfying society, into a world where individuals do make a difference, where friendships are struck up with strangers that help you out, where you can be anyone you want and do anything you want. Where small acts of heroism and kindness are rewarded. Where everyone starts at the same level, and progresses at a rate equivelent to talent and effort, rather than luck.

I also think games like GTA, Manhunt etc. serve a very real need in our society. The west can be very hegemonic. We are expected to act a certain way, to accomplish certain things. Life can be very scripted, especially for teenagers and young adults. The need for higher education is drilled into them, and yet they may barely even know who they are, let alone what they want to do. In this prescriptive, often lonely, environment, the violent shooter provides an escape and a fantasy that is very alluring.

The carnival is in town. Let’s go play.

12 Responses to “Going to the Carnival: Why Violent Video Games Help Society

Daniel Primed Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 11:38 am

That was an interesting read Keira. Especially your comments on society and how you linked that in with games.

Video games are in essence the outlet. Even if video games can negatively influence some people, overall video games necessary.

Off Topic Says:
April 13th, 2008 at 8:10 pm

OMG I really cant wait for GTA 4… its like 16 more days!!!!

I love how the day that the V-Tech shooting came out he was accused of playing violent games, when in fact he did not play any games at all.

Keira Peney Says:
April 14th, 2008 at 2:54 pm

Daniel - thanks for the comment! And yes, video games are necessary (as are all forms of creative expression) for an outlet, and for exploring subjects that make us uncomfortable in a safe place.

Off Topic - Yeah, GTA 4 is going to be pretty cool.

It is sad how quickly people blamed games. Even if he HAD played games, the question of his upbringing/mental stability would be a pretty huge one.

deendyweittee Says:
May 7th, 2008 at 10:55 am

thats for sure, dude

jj Says:
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 pm

hey dude is it possible that you can unlock the carnival in GTA IV.

jj Says:
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:01 pm

man that game is pretty cool i beat the whole thing.

Pyruvate Says:
November 12th, 2008 at 11:51 am

I think what a lot of people who blame video games for violence forget is that sociopaths and all of society’s “unfavorables” have always existed since society set the rules for what ought to and ought not to happen.
Video games haven’t increased the percentage of the ferocity of violent activity; it’s all been near the same for centuries.
Anyone who has the capacity to kill or harm another human will almost always do so regardless of what media they’ve consumed prior to it. Sure they may be inspired by it, but if not by that medium then by something else or someone else.
Besides, when did using a computer mouse ever train a child to use a gun?

www.myTelex.com Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 9:03 pm

Great publish, many thanks for putting it up!

myTelex Says:
May 26th, 2010 at 9:35 pm

Interesting information here, thank you for posting.

Shiloh Gillett Says:
June 15th, 2010 at 12:21 pm

wow britney spears is so hot..i mean hot !

N3ds card Says:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:35 am

Thats all we would expect.

Camimypeimpuh Says:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:00 pm

Yes, but it’s still not all …