-
Pong is released.
The arcade game "Pong", made by home computer company Atari was released in 1972. This is the inception of video games, and while Pong itself was not a violent video game, it's release was the very first impact video games had on our culture. -
Death Race, the first violent video game.
In 1976, arcade game developers Exidy released a game called Death Race. Death Race was a simple game, one or two players controlled cars with which they ran over what the game referred to as "gremlins" in order to gain points. Death Race stirred up controversy across the country for it's depiction of humanoids being run over and killed for sport. Death Race was removed from the shelves by Exidy over the uproar made by the public. -
A time of peace for violent video games in the media.
In 1983, video games experienced a recession of sorts, as revenue from console games waned in favor of gaming on personal computers. Because of this market crash, controversy related to violent video games was light in the 80s. -
The first senate judiciary hearing on violent video games.
In 1993, the first senate judiciary hearing was held on the topic of video game violence. The main bullet points in this hearing consisted of two games: Night Trap by SEGA, and Mortal Kombat, by Acclaim Entertainment. Night Trap was misinterpreted by the senate judiciary committee as a game focused on spying on women. Mortal Kombat was the first game to depict realistic violence, and it's realistic depiction of heavy violence did not sit well with the committee. -
The ESRB is created.
In 1994, the Entertainment Software Rating Board is created. The ESRB is a self-regulatory organization that assigns video games a rating based on age and content. The system, while voluntary, becomes integral to the gaming market, because many retailers and console manufacturers will not associate with a video game if it does not have a rating from the ESRB. -
The first video game lawsuit is filed.
In 1997, Jack Thompson, an activist against video game files the first lawsuit claiming video games are responsible for violence perpetrated by teenagers. The lawsuit revolves around the Heath Highschool shooting of 1997, where the shooter owned various violent computer games. The suit was almost immediately dismissed for failing to present a legally recognizable claim. Later, Thompson was permanently disbarred from the Florida Supreme Court for his false statements on video games. -
The Columbine shootings
In 1999, two students attacked Columbine High School, murdering 12 students and one teacher. After the shooting, it came out that the two murderers were fans of violent video games, such as Doom. Games are subsequently blamed for the shootings, and lawsuits are filed against video game creators for allegedly causing the deaths. The suit is dismissed 3 years later, in 2002. -
The first study of video games and violence.
In 2001, United States Surgeon General David Satcher lead a study on violence in youth. His team determined that while the impact of video games on violent behavior could not be entirely determined, that his findings suggested violent video games had little to no impact on violence in teens. His report stated that factors such as mental stability and quality of home life drastically impacted teenager's behavior, and veered them towards violence. -
The first legislation is introduced to congress on a ban of violent video games.
In 2002, Democratic California Rep Joe Baca introduced the "Protect Children from Video Game Sex and Violence Act" in an attempt to curb the sales of video games to minors that depict nudity, sexual conduct or other content harmful to minors. The bill was introduced but never signed into law. -
Illinois anti-video game statute found unconstitutional
In 2005, a bill was signed into law banning the distribution of violent video games to minors. This bill was then granted a permanent injuction by the Northern District of Illinois. -
Another large scale study on violence and video games published.
In 2008, the co-founders of the Harvard Medical School Center for Mental Health published a study where they found no direct correlation between violence in video games, and violence in real life, in teenagers. -
The United States Supreme Court declares video games protected under the first amendment.
In 2011, the US Supreme Court ruled in a seven to two opinion that the California ban on distributing violent video games to minors was unconstitutional. With the majority opinion, the supreme court established that video games are protected under the first amendment, noting that speech about violence is not obscene. -
Period: to
From 2012 onward, the media speculates.
After the 2011 supreme court ruling affirming video games as protected free speech, the media has still continued to associate violence in teens with violent video games. It comes up at every mass shooting, from Sandy Hook in 2012, to the Christchurch shootings in 2019.
