The former president of Nintendo of America, Reggie ‘my body is ready’ Fils-Aime has weighed in on the current debate surrounding video games and whether or not they contribute to gun violence.
The topic has come to light once again after President Donald Trump claimed video games are in part to blame for the recent multiple mass shootings that have taken place in the US.
Over on Twitter, Fils-Aime shared a tweet from the video games industry’s one and only Geoff Keighley, adding his own words to Keighley’s views on the matter.
“When the ill-informed are being critical of the gaming industry and community, this is a very powerful story,” tweeted Fils-Aime. “The facts are that countries with high per capita gaming revenue have fewer gun-shooting deaths. Except the US, where 4% of the population own 43% of the guns.”
He then added a graph showing gun crime compared to video game revenue in various countries, writing: “Facts are facts.”
Facts are facts. pic.twitter.com/sSEbdYZcgE
— Reggie Fils-Aime (@Reggie) August 6, 2019
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has also issued a statement on the situation, saying: “More than 165 million Americans enjoy video games, and billions of people play video games worldwide…
“Yet other societies, where video games are played as avidly, do not contend with the tragic levels of violence that occur in the U.S. Video games contribute to society, from new medical therapies and advancements, educational tools, business innovation, and more.”
Trump blamed “gruesome and violent video games” for contributing to the “glorification of violence in our society” following yet another two mass shootings earlier this month.
The attacks took took place in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. At least 31 people lost their lives, with dozens more injured.
The events are being classed as “domestic terrorism.”
Featured Image Credit: Nintendo