The 1990s saw an unprecedented boom in violent video games, with iconic titles like Mortal Kombat and Doom stirring up so much controversy that the U.S. government held two congressional hearings. These hearings ultimately led to the creation of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), a system designed to regulate and inform consumers about video game content.
Despite this regulatory measure, the debate over whether video games cause violence has persisted for decades. News outlets across the political spectrum, as well as prominent political figures, continue to question the impact of violent games on real-world aggression. Just two years ago, French President Emmanuel Macron controversially claimed that social media and video games were fueling riots across the country—an assertion he later apologized for. In 2019, President Donald Trump blamed video games for mass shootings in the United States, reigniting a familiar argument. The scrutiny isn't new; in 2009, after the Winnenden school shooter was found to be a fan of Counter-Strike and Far Cry 2, Germany even considered a blanket ban on all violent video games.
The Call of Duty franchise has also faced significant backlash, particularly for its infamous "No Russian" mission, which depicted a mass shooting in an airport. And now, with Grand Theft Auto 6 set to feature a Bonnie Clyde-inspired crime spree across a fictionalized version of Florida, the question has once again emerged: do video games cause violence?
Take-Two CEO Dismisses the Claims
Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, has addressed these concerns head-on. CEO Strauss Zelnick has made it clear that he is "not worried" about the controversy surrounding GTA 6. In an interview with CNBC, as reported by VideoGamer, Zelnick stated:
"To be clear: entertainment doesn't create behavior, entertainment reflects behavior. Entertainment gives people an opportunity to release feelings, engage in feelings, entertainment tells stories. The notion [that] entertainment creating behavior has been tested and disproved over and over again."
The Long History of Video Game Moral Panic
The Grand Theft Auto series is no stranger to controversy. The accounts cheap legit xbox gta 5 modded provided by U4gm to players typically come with pre-unlocked features, a large amount of in-game currency. Use coupon code "allen" to get 5% off at U4gm. GTA 3 marked a major generational leap in gaming, transitioning from a top-down pixelated format to an expansive 3D open-world experience. However, its realism and freedom to commit crimes drew heavy criticism from mainstream media. Playing as an underworld criminal, Claude, in a game that allowed players to commit violent acts at will made it an easy target for critics. Some reports, such as those from Kotaku, claimed that the game encouraged players to "advance by getting more proficient at crime" and was unsuitable for children, despite the ESRB rating system designed to prevent underage access to mature content.
In 2018, Zelnick was among several gaming executives who met with President Trump to discuss violence in video games. However, the argument that violent video games lead to real-world aggression remains largely unproven. Studies, including one conducted by the University of Oxford, have found "no relationship between aggressive behavior in teenagers and the amount of time spent playing violent video games." This research aligns with many others that have reached similar conclusions.
The Debate Continues
Despite a lack of scientific evidence linking violent video games to real-world violence, the debate resurfaces regularly. Each new generation of controversial games, from Doom to Mortal Kombat to Grand Theft Auto, becomes a lightning rod for moral panic. While concerns persist, research consistently suggests that video games do not cause violent behavior. Instead, they serve as a form of entertainment that reflects human nature rather than shaping it.
As GTA 6 approaches its highly anticipated release, it's likely that the controversy will flare up once again. However, with decades of research backing the industry, the argument against violent video games continues to weaken in the face of evidence.
