Why is murder so popular in current games? I have my own ideas about why it is (no repercussions for one) but I would like to hear your thoughts...

Because there is nothing cooler than give to someone else what you want for yourself.

Quote: Original post by owl
Because there is nothing cooler than give to someone else what you want for yourself.

Unfortunately the above post makes it sound as if you want someone to kill you, any chance of rephrasing that to make more sense? I'm not really following your line of reasoning of 'what you want for yourself', personally I don't want to die...

I dont think murder is popular at all. I think people like to role play an activity that they could never do in real life. Fantasy / Glory.

Gun combat can also be very strategic.

Its no more about murder than mario is about crushing brains.

Why is murder popular in films? It creates an emotional response through the reactions of connected characters. Its not exciting when a redshirt in startrek dies -> not about death / murder, its about loss and change.

I honestly think it's not popular enough! Not many women would play a violent game nor with many people over 40 also not even children under 12 play enough violent video games

murder in games is always on a large scale. You usually kill loads of enemies so its probaly not murder that is so popular but rather just the destruction of all things that stand in your way.

Quote: Original post by LancerSolurus
Why is murder so popular in current games? I have my own ideas about why it is (no repercussions for one) but I would like to hear your thoughts...

The list is nigh-limitless, really: outlet for apparent bloodlust, demonstration of masculinity, romanticism of the sword/gun, outlet for frustration/anger/boredom, fantasy/curiosity factor, adrenaline factor, effectivity as dramatic effect/plot device, strategic factor...

This stuff has been studied for decades - why violent media appeals, what effect it has on us, etc - and as far as I'm aware the establishment is far from reaching any significant consensus on any of it. We don't even know whether or not "mature" content adversely affects children.

If your point is, "it'd be nice to see more games that don't place a significant gameplay emphasis on killing people", then, sure, I agree with you, there are surely many interesting concepts to explore in interactive media other than combat and such. But try telling that to the market.

Quote: Original post by Fenrisulvur

Quote: Original post by LancerSolurus
Why is murder so popular in current games? I have my own ideas about why it is (no repercussions for one) but I would like to hear your thoughts...

The list is nigh-limitless, really: outlet for apparent bloodlust, demonstration of masculinity, romanticism of the sword/gun, outlet for frustration/anger/boredom, fantasy/curiosity factor, adrenaline factor, effectivity as dramatic effect/plot device, strategic factor...

This stuff has been studied for decades - why violent media appeals, what effect it has on us, etc - and as far as I'm aware the establishment is far from reaching any significant consensus on any of it. We don't even know whether or not "mature" content adversely affects children.

If your point is, "it'd be nice to see more games that don't place a significant gameplay emphasis on killing people", then, sure, I agree with you, there are surely many interesting concepts to explore in interactive media other than combat and such. But try telling that to the market.

What are you guys talking about? Murder in Farmville? Murder in tetris? I wouldn't be surprised if there were more non-violent games than violent games out there.

Murder is popular because....it's......

">MURDER!!