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From the introduction: "The staggering growth of violent video games in recent years raises important socio - psychological questions concerning the relationship between the civilian population, the military , and the phenomenon of violence . This thesis is based on interviews with active - duty soldiers , veterans, psychologists and gamers alike, conducting original research to gain a better understanding of the lasting ramifications of this popular genre. Many studies have outlined the negative consequences of viole nt video games, but this mor e comprehensive analysis of the medium will show a more balanced picture of the true implications of this growing phenomenon . As I will demonstrate, the growth of video games is a net benefit for society. Video games as a growing new media - and a rapidly expanding part of our culture - are not to be purely defined by the overly - negative rhetoric that has been popularized by syndicated news and the public eye, as there are so much more "nutritious" benefits games have to offer to society."

This seems the takeaway: ""We don't have a lot of control over how people interpret our findings," Bushman told Ars. ... Still, Bushamn suggests that the basic idea that virtual shooting can help improve real-world shooting performance shouldn't be that controversial at its core. "If you want to learn how to fly an airplane and you want to use the media to help you learn, what would be the best way: read a book about it, watch a TV program about it, or play a flight simulator video game?" he asked rhetorically. "Clearly the more interactive the media, the more you're going to learn. Does that mean by playing flight simulator you're going to be good enough to fly a real plane? I don't know, that's a relative decision, but better than if you'd watched a TV program or read a book about it, I would say.""

The Oklahoma House Revenue and Tax Subcommittee has rejected proposed legislation that would have placed a 1 percent surtax on all games rated T (Teen) or higher by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. The bill, first proposed by state rep Will Fourkiller (D) earlier this month, was designed to discourage purchase of violent games and fund new programs focused on childhood outdoor education and bullying prevention.