The results of a new video game study, one overseen by professional psychologists, have been released and claim that Xbox gamers are more prone to be ‘toxic’ than PlayStation, PC and Nintendo gamers.
The Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire consisted of 29 questions sent out to 964 gamers across the United Kingdom with four key categories tracked – physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. According to the study Xbox leads in all four categories.
In terms of actual games where this is the problem, competitive online multiplayer with either a military or sporting angle led the way with the “Call of Duty,” “Battlefield” and “FIFA” franchises on top.
Fascinatingly Nintendo’s “Animal Crossing” franchise was also put on notice in fourth place: “Despite its reputation for being relaxing, Animal Crossing players not only made the top 5 for the category of physical aggression but were found to be more physically aggressive than Grand Theft Auto Online players.”
“Minecraft” users had more open hostility than any other game on the list, but that didn’t really translate to actual aggression. “Pokemon” users also scored high on the verbal aggression front.
Time is also a factor with those who spent 11-20 hours gaming a week were the most aggressive, with levels subsiding the more users gamed. Those with the most casual use of under five hours a week were the least aggressive.
That aggression can also translate physically. The study found the most physically aggressive gamers were 25% more likely to damage their controller, console or game disc than the least aggressive gamers.
Men were 55% more likely to break gaming equipment than women and based on primary game choice,
while “Call of Duty” and “FIFA” players were the most likely to break gaming equipment – that sample of under 1,000 people having smashed or destroyed 438 Xbox and PS4 controllers in just the past year.
Source: Top10Casinos (via Movieweb)