Earlier, a research suggested that violent video games can make people aggressive. The research released by the American Psychological Association found that there could be a link between violent video games and aggression. Now, over 200 academics have come up with a signed open letter which criticizes the new research.

A taskforce reviewed a number of studies published between 2005 and 2013 to find link between video games and aggression. As per a report by the American Psychological Association, a link has been found between use of violent video game and aggression. The video games have been found affecting an individual’s aggressive behavior and aggressive affect, the report stated.

A number of academics criticized the report and said that the methodology of the research has many faults. A major part of material used in the research was not reviewed, they added. Dr Mark Coulson, professor at Middlesex University and one of the signatories, said, “I fully acknowledge that exposure to repeated violence may have short-term effects - you would be a fool to deny that - but the long-term consequences of crime and actual violent behavior, there is just no evidence linking violent video games with that”.

Coulson said playing a game like Call of Duty for some hours can pump a gamer, but it does not encourage him to mug someone.

People have different onions on link between violent video games and aggression. Some consider it as a factor to motive violent youth crimes like high school shootings in the United States.