For years video games have been stigmatized by worried parents and opportunistic politicians. Fortunately for gamers, there are people like Dr. Christopher Ferguson of Texas A&M International University. Ferguson authored a paper about a year ago arguing that studies claiming to link violent video games to violent behavior are, “faulty and fail to acknowledge the significant methodological and constructional divides between existing video game research and acts of serious aggression and violence.” Which is fancy academic talk for what most of us already knew: killing in a game won’t transmogrify you into a murderer.

What is notable about Dr. Ferguson’s research is the way he systemically refutes all of the most common arguments against video games. Ferguson takes it further and breaks down the motivations groups have for attacking gaming, “Each of these groups, politicians, news media and social scientists, arguably has motives for promoting hysterical beliefs about media violence, and video games specifically.” When youth violence is thrust into the national spotlight by something like the Virginia Tech shootings, politicians need a way to distract the public from the fact that there is very little that can be done to prevent such heinous acts of violence.

People will always attack what they don’t understand. Fortunately for those who are children now, many misconceptions about video games are being cleared up. Which is why academics like Ferguson are so important. Not only does he draw attention to the blatant fear mongering of those opposed to video games, but he has even done analysis of gaming studies attempting to prove that games have a positive effect on those who play them. He has even gone head to head with the infamous Jack Thompson.

What is comforting is that Dr. Ferguson and those like him seem to be winning the battle. The judge in the recent high profile so-called “Halo Murder Trial” refused to accept an insanity by way of video games defense. While that is bad news for young matricidal Halo enthusiasts, this can only be a positive indicator of public opinion concerning video games. I’m sure as gamers we can look forward to more poorly constructed video game bills being sponsored by out of touch statesmen being struck down in court. At least, however, we also have within our sights the end of treacherous lies about of favorite pastime being swallowed as fact by the general public.

-Matt Frank

Tags: Games Industry, Halo

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