Video Game Violence and the Link to Actual Violence with "Scientific Evidence"

Via Kotaku I just watched an episode of Penn & Teller's BullSh*t outlining the problem of video game violence and discussing the link to real violence. Now (as it is easy to tell by reading this blog) I am a gamer and do tend to play violent video games so I don't think there is much of a link between fantasy violence and real violence (at least among emotionally stable adults). Yet some individuals that I know have big problems with this stating that a) Violent video games will make an individual more violent and b) gaming is a socially isolating experience. If you know anyone like this I recommend that they watch this show.

I will concede that playing too many video games violent or otherwise is bad (after all too much of anything is bad). Playing too many games can lead to repetitive motion injuries (ie. Carpal tunnel syndrome), eye strain, and in the long run the sedentary lifestyle associated with gaming can lead to obesity. But gaming alone does not make kids more violent. Most (not all) kids learn the difference between right and wrong, and fantasy and reality at an early age. If they can make this distinction, acts of "simulated violence" shouldn't lead to real violence.

The program feaures Jack Thompson and other anti-video game activists who give there two cents as to why they feel that video games are destroying today's youth (which is fairly entertaining on its own merit because of how ill informed these people are), but also features the views of gamers, researchers, and others that don't feel that video games are infecting today's youth. Oh, and they also let a 9 year-old gamer fire an AR-15 assault rifle (can you guess what happens?). So I encourage you to watch this show which has been embedded in three parts below. Though I feel that I need to mention (and I know I'm not the first to say this but...) that it is up to parents to pay attention to there kids (and the games/ amount of time they play), not government regulations.

Also, as a scientist I feel obligated to point out that correlation doesn't equal causality. No Jack Thompson there is not a "CAUSAL LINK" between "teens playing violent video games and increased aggression by teens" (the word you may be looking for is "correlation" assuming that a "substantial body of...evidence" actually exists).

PART 1



PART 2



PART 3

Introducing Marty Stinestein

I bought Fallout 3 during Steam's half-off sale and began playing with my character Marty Stinestein last night (the first name Gordan goes over the character limit).

He specializes in barter, science, and energy weapons. I'm really bad a picking skills for this type of game so I'm sort of going to have to learn as I go. I have a feeling this game will be quite fun, though I don't like how your personal vendettas against livestock get the whole town on your case...sheesh who would have thought cows were sacred in post apocalyptic Washington DC. Anyway...without further adeu.... here's Marty!

Marty sits and ponders something

Marty may have a big nose but hes got a heart of gold...wait, what?

Marty bonds with his new friend who proceeds to call him a wanker and walks away...how rude!

News! Fallout 3, Left 4 Dead DLC, and USB Microwaves!

1.) Steam's Weekend deal is Fallout 3! Originally priced at $50, it will be $25 until midday Monday July 6. I've heard that this is a great game and this may be a great opportunity to purchase it if you (like me) are a little on the fence about buying Fallout 3. See Chris Livingston's 1fort.com and Pentadact's "Fallout Girl" for some great storytelling in Fallout 3.

2.) In a recent interview with Computer and Video Games. com Doug Lombardi of VALVe (best Games Developer EVAR FTW) announced plans to announce(confusing right) a new DLC pack for Left 4 Dead by the end of the summer. Lombardi's world are below:

"We plan to keep supporting Left 4 Dead 1. There will be some announcements coming before summer's out about what's coming there, and then we haven't shown everything that's in Left 4 Dead 2 yet."


Hopefully the new DLC includes some of the features announced in Left 4 Dead Too (melee combat for example). Though I really do believe that L4D Too is offering a great new experience (after all, the second half of that quote mentions that there are still plenty of new features in L4D Too that haven't been announced). (Story seen via Kotaku)

3.) This last story as seen on Gizmodo.com (follow the link to see the Beanzawave in action) Heinz is currently developing a small desktop microwave called the Beanzawave. It is powered by rechargable batteries and presumably will also be powered via USB. I can image this being used as an excuse by large corporations to cut lunch breaks ("What do you need a break for, you can make Beanz at your desk?" MI rite) or for some gamers simply too busy to go to their kitchen to make their beans and hotpockets. This invention is sure to revolutionize desktop eating for years to come.

Happy Fourth of July ol chaps!

Shalom

Trine Demo: Looks Cool and is fun

Last knight night I played the demo for the game Trine on Steam. Trine is a 2D side-scrolling action, puzzle platforming game with beautifully rendered 3D worlds and full physics modeling. The game features 3 characters (a thief, a wizard, and a knight) will unique abilities that must be used in tandum to solve various puzzles and kill various baddies. It seems like it also allows you to level up your characters and gain more skills and weapons.

This screenshot was from the Steam listing for the game and is not mine, but that snake dragon thing looks cool right?

The demo is 400 Mb (ish) and is free on Steam (follow the above link). The full game is going to be released in early July and will cost $30 on Steam. There are 15 levels in the full games hopefully that amounts to enough playtime to justify that price tag 'cause the demo was a lot of fun and I'm sure the full game will be as well.

Update: Trine was released on July 2 on Steam for $30 and will shortly be released on the PS3's PSN for $20. As for me, I'll probably wait until the price on PC drops a bit.

VALVe Ruins Left 4 Dead and the World

So, via Chris Livingston's Twittter (via Rock Paper Shotgun) I have learned that VALVe (creator of the greatest games ever) is working on a sequel to the best game ever (also known as Left 4 Dead) creatively called Left 4 Dead 2 -though I really hope they change it to Left 4 Dead Too as this game features an all new cast of characters and this title would help to capture the fact that like Francis, Bill, Zoey, and Louis, these new characters (brace yourself for a bad pun in 3, 2, 1...) were left for dead too.

The new game is set to take place in the southern united states with 4 new characters (Coach, Rochelle, Ellis, and the new Francis... Nick) and 5 new campaigns. There are also some new special infected such as the charger and a modification to our old friend the witch that allows her to roam around during the day. There seem to be a lot of other great improvements such as randomization of some map elements (other than health, weapons, and AI), something called the gauntlet that seems to suggest a chase scene element, and finally crescendo events that require a "checkpoint" to be reached before the waves of zombies stop coming. Oh, yeah, there will also be melee weapons (frying pans, baseball bats, and chainsaws), incendiary rounds, and new guns.

This all sounds great right, so why does the title of this post seem so angry? Well I'll tell you. For starters VALVe in a very un-Valvelike move have already announced the release date for this game and in another unvalvelike move its not Third Quarter of 2025 its a lot sooner its November 17th, 2009 (this still sounds like good news doesn't it?). This means the end of VALVe time if this is released a year after the first game was released, if we can't complain about how long it takes Valve to make games what else do we have to complain about(sure we are still waiting on HL2 episode 3 and the inevitable Portal sequel... but still)? And... if they are releasing it so soon it will probably suck, right? I am also kind of miffed because I had hoped they would just add new official campaigns and content to the original L4D.

All raging aside my biggest fear is that it will in all likelihood be great-and better than the original, I'll probably have to preorder it and begin playing it the second it is unlocked-whereby my mind will be blown and I will spend all my time playing it and lose my job and end any chance I have at a normal life. On the plus side I'll be really good at killing zombies.

When I saw the RPS article I was hoping it was a joke or a creative way of announcing a new mod or DLC for L4D unfortuately this is not the case as several other sites (including an official press release on the Steam News page) are also reporting information on this game. I hope that they at least give a discount to people who own the first L4D since it does feel a little expansion pack-ish. I also should tell Gabe Newell to Change the title to Left 4 Dead Too (or maybe Left 4 Dead, Too? because that would be great, and actually make sense!!1

For Screenshots and more info about the game visit Rock Paper Shotgun.com

A Zombie Has Eaten Your Brains... Is this Awesome (Y/N)

I'm going to be honest here, I talk about zombies on this blog a lot-maybe a bit too much. So without further adieu, I bring you... another post about zombies! Yay!!!!11111111

In addition to playing Left 4 Dead, I have also been reading Robert Kirkman's fantastic comic book series The Walking Dead and Max Brooks' novel World War Z. I find this type of fiction fascinating because it delves deep into the human psyche and shows how the characters are coping with the trauma that they are facing. Good zombie fiction isn't really about the zombies its about the people. Also, zombie fiction serves as a way of preparing us for the zombie apocalypse that awaits us.

If Left 4 Dead has taught me anything it is that I will probably not do too well when the apocalypse comes (statistics show with a high probability that in the event of zombie apocalypse I will fall off of a ledge and break my legs or get attacked from my back-right side). That being said, the time is now to stock up on essential supplies. The folks at coolmaterials.com have made a list of "Essential Gear to Survive a Zombie Attack"(note: some images may be slightly on the NSFW side). Highlights include a titanium cricket bat, a ballistic groin protector (you can never be too careful), a neck protector, a survival hatchet, and more. I would probably add a thick leather jacket and heavy jeans to the list (guns will probably be available at an abandoned military outpost). Or we could just plant some zombie killing plants in our gardens.

I recently played the demo for PopCap's new tower defense game (or more like flower defense game... am I right?) Plants vs. Zombies (alternate title: Lawn of the Dead) and it is an absolutley wonderful little game. Its available for $10 USD on Steam and is apparently worth every penny. According to gaming jouralist and all around good guy, Tom Francis, the minigame I, Zombie and the survival mode are incredibly addicting. I would highly recommend playing the demo.

In other tower defense game news, the game Defense Grid: The Awakening is 75% off until May 13th ($5 USD). A demo is available on steam. I played it and its pretty cool (though I utterly suck at buiding mazes).

Shalom!

ROCK ON!

Left 4 Videos Volume 2

Here is another batch of Left 4 Dead themed videos.

Our first video is a follow-up to my favorite L4D video (What Happens When Louis Gets His Peels) which begs the ever important question of what happens when Bill gets his pills.



The second video explains why everyone hates Francis (or maybe its because we all wish we loved vests as much as he does?)...On second thought, NO.



The final feature on tonight's schedule is a cartoon inspired by Left 4 Dead. It is fairly vulgar so watch at your own risk, but it is somewhat humorous and accurate in its portrayal of Francis.



For videos featuring players whining or doing dumb things see Unreality magazine's 10 Humorous Left 4 Dead Videos. Warning: This videos may be painful to watch. The Half-Life Jew Inc. and its subsidiaries assume no responsibility for any injuries sustained while viewing them.

If you know of any other good Left 4 Dead videos please mention them in the comments section.

In other news, over at the official Left 4 Dead blog there is a post (from last week) about the process used in designing the box art. The post gave great insight into what is required to make a box that stands out from the crowd-plus there are pictures!