Have you ever playedMetal Gear Solid 4and found yourself envying Snake’s ancient but oh-so firm and inviting asscheeks? Perhaps you can’t play a round ofGears of War 2without feeling intimidated by the fat, meaty necks? Don’t worry,according to a Kansas study, you are not alone.
According to research, games that feature well-toned males and skinny females can cause low self-esteem in their players. Prof. Richard Harris of Kansas State University claims that a mere fifteen minutes of playing games with extremely idealized physiques can cause a dent in the player’s ego.
UsingWWF Wrestlemania 2000and an unnamed beach volleyball game (which I’m certain is published by Tecmo), Harris interviewed players of both genders before and after a fifteen minute play session. Allegedly, the subjects felt more negative about their own bodies after such a short time. Harris says this is “disturbing,” since videogames are such a powerful cultural force in society.
So not only are videogames responsible for murder, misogyny and morbid obesity, they are now the root cause of anorexia and self-harm. Yet another totally-not-bullsh*t victory for SCIENCE!
