ESA and Ex-Nintendo America President Reggie Fils-Aime, explain why such claims are pointless in that studies have always shown that there is no direct connection between video games and real-world violence.
During the weekend, two mass shootings occurred in different locations in the United States of America. As many may have anticipated, President Donald Trump stressed once again his belief that video games have a role in all this.
Here’s the Entertainment Software Association, ESA, and former Nintendo of America’s President Reggie Fils-Aime explaining why such claims are pointless. They cite studies that have shown there is no direct connection between video games and real-world violence.
“As we shared at the White House video game meeting in March 2018, numerous scientific studies have established that there is no causal connection between video games and violence,” reads a note from the ESA, via Game Informer. “More than 165 million Americans enjoy video games, and billions of people play video games worldwide. Yet other societies, where video games are played as avidly, do not contend with the tragic levels of violence that occur in the U.S”.
The note included the positive influence of gaming on the real world, stating that “video games positively contribute to society, from new medical therapies and advancements, educational tools, business innovation, and more. Video games help players connect with family and friends, relieve stress, and have fun.”
Fils-Aime shared on Twitter that people talking against video games linking them to violence are “ill-informed.”
“When the ill-informed are being critical of the gaming industry and community, this is a very powerful story,” Fils-Aime tweeted. “The facts are that countries with high per capita gaming revenue have fewer gun-shooting deaths. Except the US, where 4% of the population owns 43% of the guns.”
Then he shared a compelling infographic detailing what he said, adding that “facts are facts.” We’ll see how much longer those who can change things will hide from the truth that they need to do something on weapons ownership. Instead, they continue blaming external factors that have a little to nothing to do with mass shootings.
Facts are facts. pic.twitter.com/sSEbdYZcgE
— Reggie Fils-Aime (@Reggie) August 6, 2019
