Just playing – the ethics of digital games

Scene from a so-called ego-shooter game

The CBC documentary "Screening of Gamer Revolution" from the year 2007 points out how video games influenced our everyday life in a positive and negative way.

According the film, what are some pros and cons of playing video games for individuals and societies? 

The increase popularity of playing videogames has many positive aspects to a society and individuals. First of all, video games have created a complete new industry, which generates numerous of new job possibilities. In some countries like South Korea the development of the video gaming industry goes to such lengths that even the players will be celebrated like pop stars and sex symbols, respectively. The single pros for individuals, who are playing video games are the learning aspect (e.g. strategic skills, rewarding system), reducing TV consume, stimulation of fantasy and creativity. On the other hand, gaming can cause social isolation and loss of reality.

According the film, is there any evidence that digital games can encourage aggressive values and anti-social actions in the real world?

Some games are designed close to reality, they even want to simulate the reality. The film shows the example of video games, which are designed for the US army or some games, with which one can re-enact tragically events like for example the terror assassination. Such games can stoke aggression and brutality even conflicts, when they were played from people, who can't distinguish between reality and the simulated video game world. Especially to people with a high frustration potential, such games can give a wrong motivation to them.

Should governments have the right to ban a certain game or place age restrictions on it?

In my opinion, a ban is often not the right way the change the behaviour of people. In fact, prohibition make something even more popular. But I think age restrictions are the better method, but it is only useful, if people like sales staff and parents strictly act after the restriction and also control its adherence.