Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: Jefferson Holcomb, AdvisorThis paper examines the phenomenon of violent video games.The work begins with a review of the violent content of American media entertainment.While violence in American media entertainment is pervasive, it is not as popular as commonly noted.Next, the paper discusses the video game industry and market.It appears that video games are not just played by adolescent boys as many believe.Although violent games do not make up the majority of the industry, they are indeed popular, as millions of violent games are sold each year in the United States alone.Concerns and critiques of violent video games are reviewed as well as research on the effects that violent games may have on those who play them.Utilizing existing theory and research on the consumption of violent media in general, the author considers the extent to which such theories are applicable to violent video games.While the theories used to explain why people consume violent media are indeed applicable to violent video games, certain aspects that violent games have such as control, active role of the user, and user identification, may make such games more appealing than violent television and film.Limitations of existing research are identified and discussed.iii This thesis is dedicated to all those who enjoy playing violent video games and especially to those who I play with on a daily basis on XBOX Live.[OS] for life.Little did they know that that birthday present would emerge as a thesis nineteen years later.
Author: Adam C Franklin
Institution: Bowling Green State University
Language: English
Topic: Digital Games and Media
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2337937472