Simulated Chaos

The video game industry has been in advancement and thriving amongst a vast array of avid players for over three decades. Ever since the early 1980’s, the greatest concern for most children growing up was which video game they where going to acquire and master next. Once introduced to this alternate form of entertainment, many people find themselves completely enthralled and even coaxed to the point of obsession. With the gaming industry now revolutionizing entertainment with the production of vast amounts of titles and realistic graphical rendering, can genres such as today’s First Person Shooter(FPS) actually have detrimental effects on the participants?

Are these games meant to provide more than just wholesome, quality entertainment? If you were to observe a person playing games like ’Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare’, it appears to be nothing short of a virtual simulation? It seems the general purpose of these games is to integrate ones awareness into a fixed, holographic environment which relies solely on their ability to form cognitive discretion. Its obvious the level of involvement when the player exhibits a trance like state. At that point, who knows what demented concepts could be bypassing all reason and judgement to be absorbed straight into their subconscious.


When the game itself deals with consistent mass murder and utter destruction, one might find cause for concern. Granted, it isn’t likely that the average player would in a situation where these actions can be replicated, but they may show signs passive aggravation in other trivial acts as an effect of trauma during these “simulations”. Situations which involve the killing and terrorizing of life-like, human targets in the name of sport. First Person Shooters are most effective because its easier for the player to adapt to a situation where they feel most in control. Its important to remember that these games are designed to produce realistic environments; and had the player actually been physically in the situation of war, they may not be as accepting.

There are literally hundreds if not thousands of other titles available where players can have just as much fun, if not more. Of course, its up to the 'adult' player if they want to engage in more creative games, or not. As for children, many parents aren’t even aware of the ESRB rating system made specifically for video games.

They purchase for their child games designed for mature audiences only to fulfill desperate request made from the child. The cover itself sometimes gives away the nature of the game, but its just a harmless video game, right? This often leads to misunderstandings, then before you know it, the parents are left wondering why their child has shown an increase in aggression and lack of focus in school(ADHD). All in all, use discernment and think before you choose to get involved with these types of games.