This article was originally written for TheNintendoVillage.com, a website I founded and ran from 2018 to 2021.

Violent video games have long come under scrutiny, especially following violent events in the news, as people look around for a reason to explain horrendous events. However, despite videogames following in the well-worn shoes of rock n roll and movies before it, the idea that violent video games cause violence has yet to completely disappear.

The American Psychological Association has long held the position that there is no causal link between kicking the stuffing out of someone on Street Fighter and attempting to do the same in real-life, and the organisation has now reaffirmed that stance.

A review of their 2015 resolution that came to that conclusion, and APA president Sandra Shullman has issued the following, pretty unequivocal statement in support:

"Violence is a complex social problem that likely stems from many factors that warrant attention from researchers, policymakers and the public.
Attributing violence to video gaming is not scientifically sound and draws attention away from other factors, such as a history of violence, which we know from the research is a major predictor of future violence."

There has long been a small correlation between gaming and "aggressive outcomes, such as yelling and pushing" of course, but who among us hasn’t gotten a bit worked up when conceding a late goal on FIFA or being blue-shelled right before the finish line? What’s important is the research makes it clear that there’s no link between games and more levels of violence.

It’s good to see the APA continue to take such an unambiguous position on the issue, given that the science supporting the conclusion is sound. Check out the below episode of P Myth Gaming for more on this issue!

Source: GamesIndustry.biz