Military simulation gaming : does it lead to violence?

Abstract

Military simulation gaming involves low-fidelity simulations and includes any game or technology that generates a war like atmosphere. Wargaming has been used since the 1800s by army generals to strategize for war. Since then it developed from board and card wargaming to modern high-tech computer military simulations. With the invention of Pacman in the 1980s, which was considered as the first violent game, various studies were conducted about the effects of video games on people. These studies lead to conflicting results with some finding that games promote violence, and others stating that they do not have effects on people. When it comes to military simulation games, some believe that these can actually lead to violent people committing crime by using them for training. Thus, the aim of the dissertation is to establish whether military simulation games like airsoft and video games that simulate military scenarios influence people to be violent. The study attempts to find out whether engaging in military simulation combat using replica weapons during airsoft, and playing military simulation games on gaming platforms, effects the short-term and long-term behaviour of the Malta Tactical Airsoft Club (MTAC) members.