“There is no way that anyone can convince me that the proliferation of violent videogames is not connected to the escalation of violent crimes committed by our youth. Crime is becoming much more vicious and we need to look at the cause. We are seeing people who are desensitized and committing depraved acts,” said Prosecutor Worthy.

“The holiday season is here and I would strongly urge parents to do two things: make sure these games aren’t already in your home; and do not buy any violent games or bring them into your home.”

¹ Impact of Electronic Media Violence: Scientific Theory & Research, L. Rowell Huesmann, Ph.D.

2007 TOP TEN VIOLENT VIDEOGAMES

1. GRAND THEFT AUTO – Allows players to act out crimes and rewards them for doing so.

2. MANHUNT – Revolves around the making of a snuff film.

3. SCARFACE – Involves buying and selling drugs and killing hundreds of people.

4. 50 CENT BULLETPROOF – Rapper 50 Cent is involved in a web of corruption, double-crosses and shady deals that lead him on a bloody path through New York’s drug underworld.

5. 300 THE VIDEOGAME – Invites game room gladiators to slice their way through the Persian army as King Leonidas or as the leader of the phalanx unit in the Spartan army.

6. THE GODFATHER – Opens with a “child version” of the player witnessing the murder of his father.

7. KILLER-7 – Experienced adult gamers call this the most violent and twisted game ever played.

8. RESIDENT EVIL 4 – Shootouts involving massive crowds of enemies in large open areas. A typical play-through can result in the killing of up to 900 enemies.

9. GOD OF WAR – A sea of unrelenting violence, featuring Kratos, one of the most vicious characters the video game world has ever seen. Impales bodies, severs heads and even rips enemies in half with his bare hands.

10. HITMAN BLOOD MONEY – Self-proclaimed “most violent” game of a series, this game glamorizes killing.