by Richard Moore

Created on: July 07, 2008

The health dangers associated with FPS game-play are no more serious than the detrimental effects in carrying out any activity ad nauseum. Though hardly a tool one would use to promote physical fitness they are nonetheless not without positive aspects, promoting both logical and lateral thinking. The laughable attempts by hysterical and irrational "social commentators" to unfairly label these entertaining media tools as dangerous is a product of our socities increasing bewilderment in the apparent decay of a remembered idyll.

Leaving the scaremongering and erroneous reasoning that is often associated with this particular question aside for the moment, let us examine what we know. Are there any obvious physical side effects to FPS game play? Yes of course. For those of you that work with PC's you will know that prolonged exposure to a VDU can cause fatigue and eye-sight problems, which is why we are encouraged to take frequent breaks. FPS gaming is no different. The resolution to this problem is the same, but if FPS gamers are intent on playing for hours on end, then any eyesight problem they incur is down to their own stupidity.

Other physical ailments concerned with FPS game play are again analogous to those problems suffered by anyone who operates a PC. Repetitive Strain Injury can be caused by excessive game play, but if this is a condition suffered by PC users then it is not significant for the purpose of this essay.

Another issue that frequently crosses paths with the videogame debate is the question of the rise in obesity. Again, one would have to say that in the case of overweight children there is a parenting charge to answer, and in the case of obese adults there is a laziness and stupidity charge to answer. This health hazard is a product of indolence and the easy accessibility and low prices of our fast food industries, coupled with a genuine ennui in easy modern living.

Now let us get to the heart of the matter. When we talk of health hazards in First Person Shooter games we are often talking about the purported link between game violence and actual violence. On of the most tenacious but thoroughly baseless arguments of the age, an argument of such breathtaking idiocy I can scarce bring myself to bother to refute it. Violent videogames do not promote violent actions in normal people. Yes, certain disturbed people have been inspired to specific acts of violence by FPS games but the FPS games did not make them violent. If a game hadn't inspired them

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