James Delahunty
18 Apr 2007 18:53
According to an interesting study carried out by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), the negative reporting that surrounds violent video games leads many gamers to try them out. The study suggested that violent games that frequently made the headlines were the most attractive. The report also dismissed the idea that videogames have an absorbing or addictive effect on the player.
"We were particularly interested to see that this research suggests that, far from having a potentially negative impact on the reaction of the player, the very fact that they have to interact with the game seems to keep them more firmly rooted in reality," commented David Cooke, director of the BBFC.
He added: "People who do not play games raise concerns about their engrossing nature, assuming that players are also emotionally engrossed. This research suggest the opposite – a range of factors seem to make them less emotionally involving than film or television."
The research was conducted with the help of games players, journalists, parents and industry figures. All types of games were included in the study, ranging from Rockstar's famous Grand Theft Auto series and Manhunt to Championship Manager and Sims. The linking of Manhunt to the 2004 murder of teenager Stefan Pakeerah, tempted most of the respondents to try out the title.
"I looked at Manhunt because there was all the stuff in the news. There was a murder and they blamed that game. So straight away I thought I would have a look at it," said one interviewee.
Source:
GamesIndustry.biz