Meghdad Mehrabi
Abstract
Digital games have become a popular form of entertainment among different people specially adults and adolescents. The game Grand Theft Auto series has taken a lot of attention from young people around the world so that according to Wikipedia game sales the version of San Andreas has sold more than 43 ...
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Digital games have become a popular form of entertainment among different people specially adults and adolescents. The game Grand Theft Auto series has taken a lot of attention from young people around the world so that according to Wikipedia game sales the version of San Andreas has sold more than 43 million copies around the world. With the release of the series of this game, politicians have criticized them for their aggressive content. The review of literature confirms that game researchers have mainly analyzed the game effects on young players, but they have seldom critiqued misrepresentation of minor ethnicities and minor religions. In this paper, with the methodology of game feature analysis of the games including Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Kumawar, Splinter cell: Black List, Delta force, Sandstorm: Pirate Wars, Total warrior and America’s Army we indicate how they misrepresent ethnical minors such as African-Americans and Muslims with stereotypes or how they justify aggressive tendency and behavior in the stressful public places of U.S.A. after September 11th attacks.
Meghdad Mehrabi
Abstract
Digital games are among essential forms of entertainment among different groups, especially young people. Data from Iranian national video council confirms that more than fifty percent of young people play digital games either at home or at game cafes. Despite increasing popularity of digital games among ...
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Digital games are among essential forms of entertainment among different groups, especially young people. Data from Iranian national video council confirms that more than fifty percent of young people play digital games either at home or at game cafes. Despite increasing popularity of digital games among you people, there have been concerns about negative effects of video games on players’ aggressive behavior in real life and their mental inclinations. Theories and findings about video game effects are not consistent and they are at times in clear opposition. In this paper, we review major approaches in video game effects analysis. We found that two essential approaches include social science approach and humanities. Through two research methods including document analysis and meta analysis of the literature we illustrate how and why major game effects approaches are in opposition. We indicate why there are inconsistencies about findings for video game effects. Finally, true answer to the question whether playing video games would result in aggressive behavior in real life is provided.
