First Person Shooters (Or FPS, as they are known by the people who play them) are a type of video game. It involves the player controlling a character in the game through a first person viewpoint and, as the name implies, using some sort of gun in the context of the game. Ever since their debut, they have been controversial, but recently (in the last few years) the argument over them has become much more high profile. In this piece, I will not try not to give any solid scientific evidence for first person shooters, and against those who believe that they should be restricted or banned. I will simply explain why I, and those I know who play them, enjoy these video games, in an effort to disperse some of the negativity surrounding the genre.
The first and biggest reason why I play First Person Shooters is that they provide an outlet. Now, when I say outlet, logic leads one to assume that by playing a game where I shoot things, I am sating my need to shoot things in real life. This, for me and for the vast majority of "gamers", is not true. I have no desire to shoot anything in real life; I am not a fan of real guns, and I personally think that most guns should not be used or owned by anyone except for the military. Instead, these games are my outlet for stress, and my need to compete. When I play video games, I can stop thinking about what's going on with my friends or with school, and just focus on completing the mission or winning the match. For a person with a chronically busy mind, its nothing short of a godsend.
As for my need to compete, I am a fairly competitive person. Put bluntly, I like to win against other people, and I like it a lot. So why don't I just play a sport? Well first off, I do play a sport: I row crew. However, in crew you don't compete every day, like most other sports. You compete about every weekend at the height of the season. And while I enjoy practicing, it doesn't quite satisfy my love of competition. That's where First Person Shooters come in. I can play for a little while every day and compete without leaving the comfort of my own home. However, they will never replace sports for me, as I need exercise for a good mental state as well. Therefore, playing these games allow me to stay in a sweet spot between a jittery, tense person with a chronic case of cabin fever, and a complete couch potato.
"But why play First Person Shooters specifically?" many ask. "Can't you just play another kind of video game that still allows you to relax and compete?". Well, while you would be right in saying that, the truth is that a good portion of the best games on the market are first person shooters. Move over, Mario: "Halo", "Call of Duty", "Counter Strike", "Overwatch" and "Battlefield" are just a few names from the long list of FPS titans that are a huge part of gaming right now. So basically, if you want to play with your friends and join a huge community of people who all share at least one interest with you, you play these games.
However, the simplest reason why anyone plays a First Person Shooter is that they are fun. Really fun. I'm not sure what this says about humans, but for some reason, we find digital shoot-outs to be a blast. And its not just a guy thing; recent statistics suggest that many more women play First Person Shooters than commonly thought. And while Mario Kart isn't a First Person Shooter, I have had my butt handed to me playing against a girl in that game many times.
I recognize the connection that can be made between violence in real life and violence in First Person Shooters. I know that many school shooters also played First Person Shooters, and I would do anything to protect those around me from ever being involved in a similar event. However, the word used to describe these people should not be "gamer". The word that should be used, above all else, is "Insane".
So next time you read a new study or article condemning the games and those who play them, remember that the vast majority are just like you and I.
