SEATTLE -- Can games desensitize children and teach them how to kill? Video and computer game violence is such a hot topic in the United States that the U.S. Senate has held two sets of hearings on the matter, and several senior senators each year host a conference in which they discuss problems with games.

And the U.S. isn't the only country with fears that violent games may lead to aggressive behavior. Japanese officials, having seen a shocking rise in youth violence over the past few years, are also rethinking the impact of games.

The first violent arcade game was released in the U.S. less than five years after the 1972 introduction of "Pong."