Violent video games

[jickbahtech]

SO i caught the blip of an article over at Wired about Illinois trying to ban the sale of violent video games. There's always been something that bothers me about the way this issue has been handled, and I've only just now figured out what it was. I'm sure others have already made it this point, but I just did so bear with me.

The current debate hitting the gaming industry seems to hinge on whether violent/mature themes should be in games, and seems to blame the game manufacturers for the content they create making it into the hands of children.

The other day I'm walking through Target, and at the video game display I'm watching a girl (prolly about 10 or so) wide eyed playing something at the PS2 booth. I'm expecting Simpsons Hit and Run or something like that, and as I walk past I see she's playing God of War (totally wide eyed right). I approach one of the "managers" at Target, and I pretty much get "hey its just a game right?".

Isn't this the disconnect? We sell game consoles to kids by displaying the goriest games we can, but we all know that people would freak out if Best Buy sold Plasma TV's by showing rated R (NC-17?) movies on them ("wont someone think of the children"). Video games now routinely have the production budgets of (not to mention the sophistication and make the profits of) Studio Movies. Thats big money. The movie industry was able to self monitor itself, and distribution channels are held responsible for the sales they make. The Video game industry applies similar ratings and is left holding hot potato when kids get their adult-themed games.

Sorry to rant, but I finally put my finger on why this has always bothered me (aside from the obvious first amendment thing of course). Just kills me how much money Game resellers make, and they aren't being made responsible for the sales they make.

Just kinda put my finger on it like I said. Couldn't think of a better place to go this off topic...
:wink:

[SteveHoward999]

I agree. I was put off video games a long time ago by the predominantly violent nature of them.

[Typhoon]

Isn't this the disconnect? We sell game consoles to kids by displaying the goriest games we can, but we all know that people would freak out if Best Buy sold Plasma TV's by showing rated R (NC-17?) movies on them ("wont someone think of the children").

lol Yea, I'd like to see the proponents of this point try to argue this one.

[Janak Parekh]

we all know that people would freak out if Best Buy sold Plasma TV's by showing rated R (NC-17?) movies on them ("wont someone think of the children").
I'm not sure about this. If you had a R or NC-17 film that had, say, sexual themes, then yes, there would be a hue-and-cry. But if it was violent, I think it would slip under the radar for longer. There's a distinction made between the two in terms of the vociferousness of public response, and that is derived from, I believe, deep-seated cultural beliefs.

The other distinction is that a movie is typically playing on 30 REALLY LARGE TVs, so it tends to be noticed more. ;)

(Just for the record: I like first-person shooters, and I have problems with people arbitrarily regulating what's allowed to go into a game. I do agree with you, though, that both (a) the distribution of violent video games and (b) public awareness as to who are appropriate age groups need significant work -- and the game manufacturers, retailers, and parents all could do a better job at this.)

--janak

[maryannsms]

"Violent video games are causing violence in the youth of America!!" This is something I have been hearing more and more lately.

[BigSean]

First of all I think that parents should watch what and how much their kids are playing. Teaching them the difference between real life and a game is natural.

The point in this discussion that I don't see is that most people who complain about the violence in video games forget that there can be much more violence on TV than in a game. How many channels broadcast Blade for example on a Sunday afternoon? I've seen that plenty of times.

[firhyrage]

Keep an eye on the children doesn't seem to be a good way. Self eduction is the effective way to avoid violence