> "If anything it reduces the the urge for someone to do it by redirecting the urge into a simulation, kind of like a punching bag." I'm an avid and pretty har

> "If anything it reduces the the urge for someone to do it by redirecting the urge into a simulation, kind of like a punching bag." I'm an avid and pretty hardcore gamer, but come on, this is supposition. Is there really strong evidence that simulated violence is a deterrent to actual violence? I've seen some "studies" trotted about gaming forums and the such, whose methodology and provenance are highly questionable. Has there been any real scientific evidence on this matter?