GpsGamePlay.com - Video games and real life?

Video games and real life?

Why do people (including myself) find so much enjoyment in certain video games? (Grand theft auto san andreas, burnout revenge). What is the psychological reason behind loving these games? You can't shoot people (legally) or ram and takedown traffic in real life, so why is it enjoyable in a game?

Public Comments

Because its a legal way to let off steam and do all the things that you wish you could do in real life
I think video games are just a good way to help take out the aggressions you may or may not have. It's the next best thing to actually being able to ram your car into someone else's. After a crappy day you can come home and take it out on your game of choice.
that's why it is enjoyable because it allows you to release your frustrations without facing the consequences of the actions your doing in the game. Instead of beating a punching bag to get some release, you play a violent video game.
I think that many of us have very repressed anger that we are unable to emit in our cultured and advanced society. We are unable to kill boars or fight for dominance, so we take our frustrations and anger, all the words we wish we could say to our friends and parents and all the punches we wish we could direct towards bosses and teachers to the virtual realm. Simulated violence is cathartic, and it can help alleviate actual violence and can relieve stress without damaging people or property.
I don't report people for disagreeing with me, I report the verbal and insulting words that are uncalled for and that are unnecessary. If you enjoy verbal abuse due to your enjoyment of video games, hey, more power to ya!
DONT listen to any one who answers u just enjoy the game and have fun
bc you know you can be extremely destructive in a game penalty free. i think it very good therapy for someone with a violent nature.
Ok I get asked this alot too. I have bipolar disorder and CAN have bad days like most. Usually Ill let things slide but most times things build. Its a tension relief and little more. Besides, how many times have you wanted to wipe out a whole city block, been able to DO it without causing REAL damage or avoiding such unpleasant things as ACTUAL JAIL TIME. =)