Video Game Business Strives to Be Part of Discussion on Gun Violence

When the Entertainment Software Association issued a statement of condolences for the families of the Connecticut victims, it reiterated yet again that there is no link between violent video games and real-world crime. Yet, recently the ESA, game developers, academics, and retailers met with Vice President Biden to try to become part of the conversation on gun violence. While some in the industry have been critical of this move, most feel it is important to explore the issue further, to have the conversation about any kind of link between games and violence in the open and — they hope — to keep broadcasting their message that there is no link. It is certainly an issue for parents to keep tabs on, especially now with President Obama pushing Congress to fund research into the impact of violent games.