I really don't want to limit my thoughts on this to GTA, but it is the best example of how videogames are actually preventing me from comitting real violence. You see, I am a hostile and aggressive person in real life. I swear, I rant, I yell, I swear some more. I suffer from extreme bouts of road rage. There are at least 3 times every day (usually more) when I feel the urge to physically shake, shove, punch, or throw the people around me. I often have clenched fists and a furrowed brow. Driving home from work it is all I can do not to run the people around me off the road.

But then, I get home, I change into comfy clothes, I avoid news programs at all cost (for fear of having an anuerism), I get a beer, I turn on the 360, and in my virtual world I get to run people off the road, mow them down in my hummer...er...Patriot, punch random stangers for no reason, kill at will. For a short time I am able to funnel all my aggression into an appropriate forum for such behavior. I am a big fan of FPS games, the more violent, the better. By the time my partner gets home I no longer want to crush, maim, and mutilate all of mankind. I no longer feel the need kill.