Aggression from video games 'linked to incompetence'

Soldato
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For once a more nuanced study into the popular beliefs regarding the links between video games, violence within games & real life violence.

"Feelings of aggression after playing video games are more likely to be linked to gameplay mechanics rather than violent content, a study suggests."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26921743

"However, only some of the gamers were given a tutorial before playing the game so they could familiarise themselves with the controls and game mechanics.

The researchers found that it was the players who had not had the tutorial who felt less competent and more aggressive, rather than people who had played the more violent version of the game."

""We focused on the motives of people who play electronic games and found players have a psychological need to come out on top when playing," said Dr Przybylski.

"If players feel thwarted by the controls or the design of the game, they can wind up feeling aggressive.

This need to master the game was far more significant than whether the game contained violent material."

It's certainly a more rational take on the subject, as the links between aggression & poor self-esteem (which can be related to feelings in inadequacy, social judgement or in this case incompetence) are already well documented.

It seems to make a logical sense - just watch the average DOTA/LoL or CS player when they are losing to see just how angry people can get at feeling incompetent :D.

Instead of attempting to censor violent games perhaps simply educating children to not develop such a strong emotional attachment to failure (as within competitive gaming or even against the AI - it's a strong possibility).

Personally, I don't get annoyed at games - but that's because I don't really have any emotional investment if I lose, I enjoy the challenge & wish to come back next team & beat it.

So, what do you guys/gals think?.
 
I've never read or thought about the mechanics of a game leading to those emotions, so thanks for the link Elmarko.

I guess playing the CoD games wind me up something rotten but I spent a long time practising my technique from the tutorial for Titanfall and I often come away from a few online matches on that feeling quite relaxed.
 
I Thought this was well known not just in PC gaming but in most competition the lower you rank the more rage you take away with you.
Indeed, but surprisingly it seems to apply also to 1 vs the AI (a rank of two) for some people.

Along with some certain frustrating mechanics causing the anger (due to poor design).
 
I think it's stating the obvious and isn't exclusive to gaming in any way. Watch any number of people playing games/sports and the loser or those struggling will often become agitated.
 
Shock news - cluelessness is frustrating and mastery is fun. This applies to all things.
 
I agree it's not that shocking news, but it's pretty unusual to be in the media (for a start it's not being sensationalist) - it's more if the view is within the wider public eye will we start to see a slightly more rational/less hysterical approach to the issues relating the video-games?.
 
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This is probably why my reaction to the beginners tutorial for EVE Online was a flurry of particularly vile expletives followed by hitting the uninstall button. :p
 
This is probably why my reaction to the beginners tutorial for EVE Online was a flurry of particularly vile expletives followed by hitting the uninstall button. :p
I thought you would have loved Eve-Online.

It's like a capitalist fantasy simulator with spreadsheets! :D
 
Interesting. I recommend Ninja Gaiden.

God no. I'm not a glutton for punishment. I nearly murdered some bint I went home with from the pub one night when she wouldn't take me to bed until I beat her at Soul Calibur.

I thought you would have loved Eve-Online.

It's like a capitalist fantasy simulator with spreadsheets! :D

I can just jack it to my Maggie audiobooks. Much more relaxing. ;)
 
This is common sense really. It's been happening in all areas of life for as long as humans existed.

I mean a simple example is sport. The losers always feel annoyed but you never see an angry winner.

I don't recall felling angry on Sunday when I hit a perfect Squash shot into the nick to win the day 3-1. I do however remember getting rather irritated when I lost the second game after 4-5 really poor shots.


I'm not that fussed when playing games - but many are. But of course losing (whether to mechanics, other people or general lack of skill) is always going to get some people riled up.


We all get really angry at something. For me, it's fiddly things. Like at work if I'm trying to losen a bolt, but can only get a 2mm turn on the spanner then have to try and do that 100x to get it off - after 10-20 I go mental and kicked the chair over and my heart is pounding. Really drives me mad that.

Dying on a game - couldn't care less. For some, it'd be the other way around - for others it'd be something totally different.
Maybe doing plenty yoga will help people to feel calm...lol My wife does it a lot and i've never seen her angry in my life
 
Aggression has nothing to do with the violent content or game mechanics. It's 100% due to my broadband connection/mouse/server location/hacks/nationality of opponents/the weather

My skill has nothing to do with it.
 
I believe I hold irrefutable evidence that supports the findings: I wanted to punch random Japanese in the face after Dark Souls came out on PC and I tried to play it with a keyboard and mouse.
 
I can feel quite agressive when playing FIFA and getting tanked especially with all these winning dances players can do...

However soon as I step away I'm immediately calm again, I doubt if the vast majority of people would then take that aggression outside with them. Only people who already were borderline psychos could be pushed over the edge.
 
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