{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,1]],"date-time":"2026-05-01T14:28:38Z","timestamp":1777645718706,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":78,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2015,11,25]],"date-time":"2015-11-25T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1448409600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Games and Culture"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2018,3]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>In the cultural controversy surrounding \u201cviolent video games,\u201d the manufacturers and players of games often insist that computer games are a form of harmless entertainment that is unlikely to influence the real-world activities of players. Yet games and military simulations are used by military organizations across the world to teach the modern arts of war, from how to shoot a gun to teamwork, leadership skills, military values, and cultural sensitivity. We survey a number of ways of reconciling these apparently contradictory claims and argue that none of them are ultimately successful. Thus, either military organizations are wrong to think that games and simulations have a useful role to play in training anything other than the most narrowly circumscribed physical skills or some recreational digital games do, in fact, have the power to influence the real-world behavior and dispositions of players in morally significant ways.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/1555412015615025","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2015,11,25]],"date-time":"2015-11-25T21:14:03Z","timestamp":1448486043000},"page":"174-192","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":6,"title":["Playing for Fun, Training for War"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Robert","family":"Sparrow","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Rebecca","family":"Harrison","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Justin","family":"Oakley","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Brendan","family":"Keogh","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"RMIT, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2015,11,25]]},"reference":[{"key":"bibr1-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Alelo. (2014). Tactical Iraqi language & culture training system. Retrieved September 20, 2014, from http:\/\/www.alelo.com\/case-study\/tactical-iraqi-language-culture-training-system\/"},{"key":"bibr2-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.adolescence.2003.10.009"},{"key":"bibr3-1555412015615025","first-page":"200","volume":"36","author":"Anderson C. A.","year":"2004","journal-title":"Advances in Experimental Social Psychology"},{"key":"bibr4-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2008-1425"},{"key":"bibr5-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/a0018251"},{"key":"bibr6-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/acprof:oso\/9780199228782.001.0001"},{"key":"bibr7-1555412015615025","volume-title":"The Nicomachean ethics","author":"Aristotle","year":"1980"},{"key":"bibr8-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7551\/mitpress\/6997.001.0001"},{"key":"bibr8a-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Bohemia Interactive. (2007). Virtual Battlespace 2. Nelson Bay, Australia: Bohemia Interactive Simulations."},{"key":"bibr9-1555412015615025","first-page":"6","volume":"11","author":"Bourge C.","year":"2006","journal-title":"Military Training Technology"},{"key":"bibr10-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0044118X06295988"},{"key":"bibr11-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Brewster M. (2013, 12 22). Canadian military looks at video games for training. The Canadian Press. Retrieved August 15, 2014, from http:\/\/www.thestar.com\/news\/canada\/2013\/12\/22\/canadian_military_looks_at_video_games_for_training.html"},{"key":"bibr13-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Buxbaum P. (2009). Getting serious about games. Military Training Technology, 14. Retrieved September 10, 2014, from http:\/\/www.kmimediagroup.com\/military-training-technology\/articles\/212-military-training-technology\/mt2-2009-volume-14-issue-6\/2191-getting-serious-about-games-sp-711"},{"key":"bibr14-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1555412009360412"},{"key":"bibr15-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Commonwealth of Australia. (2009). Australian government Attorney-general\u2019s department discussion paper: Should the Australian national classification scheme include an R18+ classification category for computer games? Canberra, Australia: Attorney General\u2019s Department. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.ag.gov.au\/Consultations\/Documents\/AnR18ClassificationforComputerGames\/Discussion%20Paper%20computer%20games%20R%2018plus%20classification%20category.pdf"},{"key":"bibr16-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.5749\/minnesota\/9780816653348.001.0001"},{"key":"bibr17-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Cundy M. (2007). Rockstar responds to Manhunt rejection. GamesRadar. Retrieved August 18, from http:\/\/www.gamesradar.com\/rockstar-responds-to-manhunt-rejection\/"},{"key":"bibr18-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4324\/9780203881538"},{"key":"bibr19-1555412015615025","volume-title":"Computer games and Australians today","author":"Durkin K.","year":"1999"},{"key":"bibr20-1555412015615025","volume-title":"Games of empire: Global capitalism and video games","author":"Dyer-Witheford N.","year":"2009"},{"key":"bibr21-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1542-734X.1995.00019.x"},{"key":"bibr22-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Entertainment Software Association. (2013). Essential facts about games and violence. Retrieved August 23, 2014, from http:\/\/www.theesa.com\/facts\/pdfs\/ESA_EF_About_Games_and_Violence.pdf"},{"key":"bibr22a-1555412015615025","unstructured":"eSim Games. (2000). Steel Beasts. Montreal, QC: Strategy First."},{"key":"bibr23-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.avb.2007.01.001"},{"key":"bibr24-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11126-007-9056-9"},{"key":"bibr25-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/a0018941"},{"key":"bibr26-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Ferguson C. J. (2011, 12 7). Video games don\u2019t make kids violent. Time. Retrieved November 15, 2014, from http:\/\/ideas.time.com\/2011\/12\/07\/video-games-dont-make-kids-violent\/"},{"key":"bibr27-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpeds.2008.11.033"},{"key":"bibr28-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1046878106291670"},{"key":"bibr29-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chc.2005.02.009"},{"key":"bibr30-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Gittleson K. (2014, 6 13). Why does sexism persist in the video games industry? BBC. Retrieved October 5, 2014, from http:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/technology-27824701."},{"key":"bibr31-1555412015615025","volume-title":"Stop teaching our kids to kill: A call to action against TV, movie & video game violence","author":"Grossman L. C. D.","year":"1999"},{"key":"bibr32-1555412015615025","first-page":"1","volume":"11","author":"Herz J. C.","year":"2002","journal-title":"Defense Horizons"},{"key":"bibr33-1555412015615025","volume-title":"Homo ludens: A study of the play-element in culture","author":"Huizinga J.","year":"1949"},{"key":"bibr34-1555412015615025","volume-title":"Joystick soldiers: The politics of play in military video games","author":"Huntemann N. B.","year":"2010"},{"key":"bibr34a-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Infinity Ward. (2003). Call of Duty. Santa Monica, CA: Activision."},{"key":"bibr34b-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Infinity Ward. (2009). Call of Duty: Modern warfare 2. Santa Monica, CA: Activision."},{"key":"bibr35-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Institute for Creative Technologies. (2004). ICT featured in rolling stone magazine. Retrieved September 17, 2014, from http:\/\/ict.usc.edu\/news\/ict-featured-in-rolling-stone-magazine\/"},{"key":"bibr35a-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Institute for Creative Technologies. (2004). Full Spectrum Warrior. Agoura Hills, CA: THQ."},{"key":"bibr36-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Institute for Creative Technologies. (2012). UrbanSim. Retrieved September 2, 2014, from http:\/\/ict.usc.edu\/prototypes\/urbansim\/"},{"key":"bibr37-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Institute for Creative Technologies. (2014). Full spectrum video games. Retrieved September 18, 2014, from http:\/\/ict.usc.edu\/prototypes\/full-spectrum\/"},{"key":"bibr38-1555412015615025","volume-title":"Video games and youth violence: Examining the facts","author":"Interactive Digital Software Association","year":"2001"},{"key":"bibr39-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Jean G. V. (2008). Inside simulators, soldiers learning to opperate Strykers. National Defense Magazine. Retrieved December 4, 2014, from http:\/\/www.nationaldefensemagazine.org\/archive\/2008\/February\/Pages\/InsideSim2356.aspx"},{"key":"bibr40-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/acprof:oso\/9780199599349.001.0001"},{"key":"bibr41-1555412015615025","volume-title":"The gamification of learning and instruction: Game-based methods and strategies for training and education","author":"Kapp K. M.","year":"2012"},{"key":"bibr42-1555412015615025","first-page":"1","volume-title":"Proceedings of DiGRA 2013: Defragging game studies","author":"Keogh B.","year":"2013"},{"key":"bibr43-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4018\/978-1-60960-120-1.ch010"},{"key":"bibr44-1555412015615025","first-page":"52","volume-title":"Videogame, player, text","author":"King B.","year":"2007"},{"key":"bibr45-1555412015615025","first-page":"18","volume":"29","author":"King D.","year":"2010","journal-title":"Youth Studies Australia"},{"key":"bibr46-1555412015615025","first-page":"A1","author":"Kleinfield N. R.","year":"2007","journal-title":"New York Times"},{"key":"bibr47-1555412015615025","volume-title":"Grand theft childhood: The surprising truth about violent video games and what parents can do","author":"Kutner L.","year":"2008"},{"key":"bibr48-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1353\/con.2000.0022"},{"key":"bibr49-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10676-008-9168-4"},{"key":"bibr50-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1109\/6.988702"},{"key":"bibr51-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/154851290600300303"},{"key":"bibr53-1555412015615025","volume-title":"War play: Video games and the future of armed conflict","author":"Mead C.","year":"2013"},{"key":"bibr54-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Parkin S. (2012, 4 23). Don\u2019t blame video games for Anders Behring Breivik\u2019s massacre. The Guardian. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2012\/apr\/22\/video-games-anders-breivik-massacre"},{"key":"bibr55-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1555412012454220"},{"key":"bibr56-1555412015615025","volume-title":"The 11 myths of media violence","author":"Potter W. J.","year":"2002"},{"key":"bibr57-1555412015615025","unstructured":"PR Newswire. (2014). Military simulation, modelling and virtual training market 2014-2024. Retrieved October 2, 2014, from http:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/military-simulation-modelling-and-virtual-training-market-2014-2024-275194111.html"},{"key":"bibr58-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Rayner A. (2012, 3 19). Are video games just propaganda and training tools for the military? The Guardian. Retrieved August 12, 2014, from http:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2012\/mar\/18\/video-games-propaganda-tools-military"},{"key":"bibr59-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1749-6632.2010.05755.x"},{"key":"bibr59a-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Rockstar London. (2007). Man hunt 2. New York, NY: Rockstar Games."},{"key":"bibr59b-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Rockstar North. (2002). Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. New York, NY: Rockstar Games."},{"key":"bibr60-1555412015615025","volume-title":"Rules of play: Game design fundamentals","author":"Salen K.","year":"2004"},{"key":"bibr61-1555412015615025","first-page":"231","volume-title":"Mass media effects research: Advances through meta-analysis","author":"Sherry J.","year":"2007"},{"key":"bibr63-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7551\/mitpress\/9780262012652.001.0001"},{"key":"bibr64-1555412015615025","volume-title":"Militainment, Inc.: War, media, and popular culture","author":"Stahl R.","year":"2010"},{"key":"bibr65-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10677-010-9226-y"},{"key":"bibr65a-1555412015615025","unstructured":"United States Army. (2002). America\u2019s Army. USA: United States Army."},{"key":"bibr65b-1555412015615025","unstructured":"USC Information Sciences Institute. (2007). Tactical Iraqi [V4.0]. Los Angeles, CA: Alelo Inc."},{"key":"bibr65c-1555412015615025","unstructured":"USC Institute for Creative Technologies. (2004). Virtual Iraq. Los Angeles, CA: USC Institute for Creative Technologies."},{"key":"bibr65d-1555412015615025","unstructured":"USC Institute for Creative Technologies. (2006). UrbanSim. Los Angeles, CA: Stranger Entertainment."},{"key":"bibr67-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10304319609365693"},{"key":"bibr67a-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Will Interactive. (2010). True Faith and Allegiance. Potomac, MD: Will Interactive."},{"key":"bibr68-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Will Interactive. (2014). Living the army values in basic training. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http:\/\/willinteractive.com\/products\/true-faith-and-allegiance"},{"key":"bibr69-1555412015615025","unstructured":"Zamora P. (2013). Virtual gaming = military training. Armed with Science: The Official US Defense Department Science Blog. Retrieved January 12, 2015, from http:\/\/science.dodlive.mil\/2013\/03\/13\/virtual-gaming-military-training\/"},{"key":"bibr70-1555412015615025","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1109\/MC.2005.297"}],"container-title":["Games and Culture"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/1555412015615025","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/1555412015615025","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/1555412015615025","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,29]],"date-time":"2026-04-29T06:33:06Z","timestamp":1777444386000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/1555412015615025"}},"subtitle":["Can Popular Claims About Recreational Video Gaming and Military Simulations be Reconciled?"],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2015,11,25]]},"references-count":78,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2018,3]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1177\/1555412015615025"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1555412015615025","relation":{},"ISSN":["1555-4120","1555-4139"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1555-4120","type":"print"},{"value":"1555-4139","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2015,11,25]]}}}