The motivating role of violence in video games

game developers to graphically represent violent material in ever-greater variety and detail. Accordingly, much of the empirical work on video games has focused on possi-ble negative consequences of violent games. For example, research suggests that violent games may desensitize play-ers to real-world violence, decrease empathy, and increase players ’ tendencies toward aggression (e.g., Anderson, 2004; Bartholow, Bushman, & Sestir, 2006). At the same time, little research has examined the role of violent game content in player motivation and immer-sion. Given the prevalence of violent content in popular game titles, one might assume that violent material itself is attractive and enjoyable to players and thus plays a substantial role in immersing players in game worlds and motivating game purchases and play. In fact, some have argued that violent media can enhance feelings of excite-ment, empowerment, and status, among other satisfac-tions (Johnston, 1995; Jones, 2002; Zillman, 1998). Yet it remains unclear how much it is violent content per se that motivates play behavior or enjoyment, versus other satisfactions that the games involving violence can provide. Many popular games that have violent content are also appealing for the challenges they offer or the freedom to act in a different world. For example