Research: Gaming - Violence

WARNING: THIS POST INCLUDES IMAGES SOME MAY FIND DISTURBING
There is a lot of speculation about whether video games make us more violent. Over time, we have been subjected to more and more violent scenes in video games.


The beat-em-up genre of games spans from the likes of 'Street Fighter' where there was little-to-no-blood to Mortal Kombat, where the player is awarded a cutscene of an over-the-top violent finishing kill if they press the correct button combo.

Mortal Kombat, 1992/93,  Arcade

Mortal Kombat, 2011, Multiple-Platform

Clearly there is an aspect of violence involved in these games, but I would argue they are fighting games after all. Someone not wanting violence wouldn't buy and/or play a fighting game.


It is not just fighting games where we find violence.
Arguably the most popular genre of game to hardcore gamers is the FPS (First Person Shooter). This has evolved from shooting people to close-quarters mutilations when a player gets close to an enemy.

Gears of War 2, 2008, Xbox 360

The added functionality of video games lets us 'melee' enemies, should they get too close. Some games such as 'Gears of War' take it a step further, and reward the player for getting up close. As seen in the image above, a close-up chainsaw kill is available to those brave enough the run into the fight.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, 2009, Multiple-Platform

Call of Duty is a huge FPS franchise. At the end of Modern Warfare two, the final scene forces the player to throw a knife into the eye of the main antagonist. Although he is a threat, it's pretty shocking to see.

Splatterhouse, 2010, Multiple-Platform

The Darkness 2, 2012, Multiple-Platform

Games such as 'Splatterhouse' and 'The Darkness 2' (seen above) force players to perform kills in the most violent manner possible. The more violent their kills are, the more points they earn to spend on upgrading their character, and regaining lost health.

Again, I would say it is shocking, but we are becoming more used to seeing this sort of thing due to the violence we see coming from real life situations such as war.