Another day, another “credible news source” publishing a story on how video games will eventually lead to the downfall of humanity.

As a gamer, I personally take offense to such stories that claim anyone who is an avid participant of the hobby, will suffer from negative consequences, and I know I am not alone in having these sentiments. Yes, I am a gamer, but like many other individuals who share this hobby, I am also a well-behaved law abiding citizen. Okay, so my biggest offense in my twenty-two years of existence has been a speeding ticket, but it’s not because I was channeling Grand Theft Auto; it’s simply due to the fact that I’m human and I am bound to make mistakes of my own accord.

Some news sources however, would like to have the general population think otherwise.

A small article posted on the website of a UK based newspaper, The Metro, recently distorted the findings of a university study regarding gamers and how they perceive reality. As small as this particular article is, it’s implications are anything but. Quoting a study conducted at Nottingham Trent University on 42 gamers aged 15 to 21 who spent at least 10 hours per week gaming, The Metro claims that the findings conclude that gamers struggle with separating reality from fantasy after their gaming sessions. The Metro backs up this conclusion by citing examples such as:

 “One 15-year-old named Simon admitted wanting to use a ‘gravity gun’ from the game Half Life to fetch something from the fridge.”

“The report said a few participants reported ‘criminal thoughts’ such as recreating Grand Theft Auto, which awards points for ‘wrecking things and killing people’ while they are driving.”

If you've ever thought about using one of these in real life, clearly you've lost your mind.

I can’t help but question whether the author of the article, Mr. Fred Attewill, is completely devoid of all imaginative thoughts. As a Star Wars fan, I’ve often thought about using The Force on objects at a distance when I’m feeling lazy. Also, as an avid reader of the Harry Potter books, I’ve often found myself wishing that I could magically “apparate” to my destination whenever I’m running late to meet someone. And yes, I have also thought about how awesomely cool it would be if I could summon lightning bolts from my hand a la BioShock. Does this mean I have the inability to discern fantasy from actuality? Hell no! While it’s fun to imagine how much easier life would be with incredible powers or a magic wand, I sure as hell haven’t deluded myself into believing it can actually happen!

The same can be said about the examples quoted in The Metro. They’re merely cases of the imagination at work. While the more violent thoughts constructed by individuals who play Grand Theft Auto are certainly more unsettling, it doesn’t necessarily mean these thoughts correspond with the individual’s inability to separate the game world from reality.

After all, as the article concludes with  “video games specialist Tristan Donovan told Metro that studies were ‘still inconclusive’ about the effect of gaming on behaviour,” is there really any concern to be had in perfectly harmless day dreams?