Very sad story, however I hope this isn't going to bring out the "Video games are the root of all evil" mob. It's a sad reflection on humanity when people take games so seriously.

They are hardly the root of all evil but I guess I am part of the "mob" that believes that they, and other media forms, definitely affect susceptable minds.

Should they be banned? Of course not but I think you have to be in a state of denial to dismiss the evidence that these things can influence peoples behavior.

Perhaps it's even a sadder reflection on humanity to see that violence in media form sells so well.

Alot of the newer games w/online chat capability can sometimes get nasty, I've left several sessions of Battlefield 2 and Halo 2 because of the violent cursing and screaming that takes place...... but, on the same note I've also stirred a few pots.

Without a doubt they influence some peoples behaviour, they don't cause it though. Some people seem to think that without games like this there would be no violence and this is completely untrue.

I wouldn't say you were part of the mob i was referring to :)

I completely agree. I don't understand why violence is so popular. I hate seeing it in movies and it worries me that so many people just dismiss it as mindless entertainment.

While I certainly do not think that violent video games/movies should be banned, I do think the reason for their popularity is a cause for concern.

I don't see how it's a cause for concern. I enjoy sniping people in Team Fortress 2 and blowing someone away with a shotgun in Halo 3. Does that mean I'm somehow demented? It's virtual. No one gets hurt. Just because I enjoy it in a game doesn't mean I'd enjoy it in real life.

I agree. I've been stabbing and shooting in games since Pong, almost thirty years ago, and I've never been in a fist fight, and am probably the most docile guy around.

Violence was around way before video games or even movies.

Wasn't there an article about a week ago where they were saying humans crave, or like violence? Maybe games and film are a means to feed that, without actually getting violent.

I do. We're animals with animal instincts.
We cannot just suppress it, but many sublimate it in the form of sports, violent movies and games. Besides, I have never gotten the idea that I was hurting someone when playing violent games.

While I do not think killing is basic to our nature, fighting is.

But this guy is a nut job; killing someone over a game is ludicrous.

Yet another reason that I don't play video games, I don't need anything else making me want to kill people. J/K I don't play because I am the most uncoordinated person in the world with my hands.

Thats cause your Drunk! you lush!