Question Of The Month Reader Responses: Issue #233

A few months ago we asked readers if violence in a video game affects their purchasing decision. Gamers wrote back with a variety of reasons for why they buy or pass up certain titles. Here are some responses.

Keep It Clean:

• Yes, violence absolutely affects my purchasing decisions. Although I have respect for games like Halo and Call of Duty, I think that the violence involved is not healthy for gamers. To confirm this, when I told my friend how playing M-rated games has been linked to caring less about the value of life, my friend replied, "I don't care!" Overall, I have never purchased an M-rated game unless you count Halo: Reach, which is still in its original wrapping; my dad uses it as a coaster.
  
  Gregory Arleth
• I am one of the few teenage gamers with parents who are actually concerned about what I play, so yes, violence in a game does decide what I have. For me, it's more the swearing that gets me. I know that swearing is good for showing tension in a story, or even comic relief, and that's fine (if you get shot in the leg you probably won't say "Oh twiddle-me-dee, look what happened to me"). But if it goes too far, I won't buy it. Even when I turn 17, I don't see myself buying and playing the likes of Mafia 2, or even a GTA game, despite how amazing they are.
  
  Brad
• Does violence affect my game purchase? Well, that's a big yes. If the violence is really brutal (the new MK), I won't buy it. I'm one of the rare 12-year-olds who actually thinks about what they are buying in the video game department!
  
  Dawson Beck

Violence? Not A Problem:

• Violence is not the determining factor for whether or not I buy games. On one hand, I'm a fan of GoW and MK; on the other hand , I'm a fan of LBP and Tetris.
  
  John McDonald
• Violence has never been a factor for me when purchasing a video game.  I do not play video games for the violence, I play them because I like them. If a game I like is violent, great; if it is great game with little to no violence, that is great too.
  
  Louis Acevedo
• No. Because I am a grown-ass woman who knows the difference between right and wrong. And I was a little-ass child who knew the difference between right and wrong because my parents took the time to teach me. 
  
  Leah Young

Not For Kids:

• I work with troubled youth in a group home setting and when I'm buying for them, I absolutely look at the violence. It's important to know who the game is for and what might upset or trouble them. I would never buy a game that depicts the types of abuse my clients have been subjugated to. At work, It's about what they can handle. I believe it's important for parents and guardians to know their kids and what's in the games they play. For myself, I tend to gravitate towards intense action, so I'm more likely to buy M-rated games, but I prefer a good story over violence any day.
  
  Brandon Brackett
• Does violence in a video game affect my decision to purchase it? Nope. As a 37 year-old gamer, my life has been saturated with violence courtesy of mainstream media, so adding a little extra by loading up Halo, Gears of War, or Call of Duty doesn't cause me any qualms. However, as a 37 year-old gamer with two young kids, it does affect when I get to play those games – as in, before or after the kids are in bed.
  
  Frank Loyd
• When I was younger, the more violence the better. But, as a parent, I try staying a little further away from violent games in case my kids want to play.
  
  Amanda Hernandez 
• It can be a violent world we live in and if violence in a game is just part of the story, I see no reason to not purchase it; these are just characters in a digital story. If I had kids that would be a different answer. I am an adult, and have no difficulties being able to differentiate reality and fiction, unlike a child. If I had kids around, violence might affect which titles I purchased because I wouldn't want them watching some of the violence depicted in games and confusing that with reality.
  
  Kyle S.

Violence With A Purpose:

• I truly believe that the violence in a game should be explained and not just randomly included. If the game has a good plot and backstory, violence is perfectly okay. However, when there is no reason for violence, it's completely mind-numbing. After a while, I find myself questioning why I am playing a game that can not keep me entertained without mutilating an enemy every few seconds.
  
  Forrest A.
• No, violence is needed in some games. Would be weird if Master Chief jumped on an Elite's head like it was a Koopa.
  
  Anthony Shackelford
• Personally, violence matters to a degree. If it's over the top, it tends to take from the overall experience, like in Bulletstorm or Unreal Tournament. I prefer the violence be plot-related, like Battlefield, Assassin's Creed, or Uncharted.
  
  Thomas Hallmark
• I'm all for realism in video games. If I hack and slash or shoot an enemy, I expect to see some bloodshed. I do turn my nose up to unnecessary violence, though. Guts and gore for the sake of guts and gore are not my cup of tea. Everything should have a purpose and a point in a game, and serve the overall feel of what creators are trying to achieve. 
  
  Coby Brubaker

A Definition Of Violence:

• When purchasing video games, I tend to do the same thing I do when I purchase movies. I see violence beside the rating and scoff. Maybe I’m desensitized, but I feel like violence is put on the ratings even if the only “violence” is a Lego character falling to pieces or a dude falling off his skateboard. I just don’t have a clear definition of violence, especially in video games, and I don’t think the ESRB has one either.
  
  Isaac Allred

Wanting Something More:

• Violence in a video game does affect my purchase. Some violence is fine; I just want a bit more to the experience than blood, guts and gore. Games like Tekken and Call of Duty seem to have violence simply for the sake of violence. I understand violence is necessary in fighting games and in simulated battle; I am not suggesting that these genres should drop the characteristics which define them. I just prefer games that have more to offer than a theme which has been done over and over. I can understand the lure of these popular games to certain consumers; I just prefer a plot line and interesting characters in my sixty dollar game.

  Stephanie H.

That's Just Creepy:

• Violence does affect my decision in buying a video game. If Cooking Mama allowed you to use a spork to scrape out someone's guts and sauté it in mango chutney, I would totally buy it.
  
  Chris Pecora
• Violence definitely impacts my decision on buying a game...POSITIVELY! The more killing blood and gore, the better. I bought Skyrim just to slaughter cities and attack children.
  
  Josh Gill