Debate: Are video games irresponsible?

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Last edited by Ante on 09 Nov 2005, 4:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

The fact that there is a video game genre dedicated to mindless violence (Hack N' Slash) is disturbing. When VG's (videogames) were first of acused of being too violent, people were overreacting. I'm refering to the original Mortal Kombat(etc.) debate in the early 90's. That long tedious debate did give us the rating system, useful. The problem I have currnetly is parents complaining about what their children watch on TV (etc.), and then buying a game like GTA (etc.) because their kids begged for it. I do believe that most games today are too violent, but I don't mind that. I'm just bothered by lazy parents.

3D graphics technology and the things that people do with them are two completely different subjects. There are some very family friendly and educational games and then you have GTA, which fits the criteria for being labeled obscene but for some reason has not been banned.

Before we get into how horrible video games are to children, let me remind everyone that the average age of gamers is 29. Children aren't the targets of video game marketing and they haven't been for years. It's an extremely common misconception that children are the market for video games, but a misconception is all it is.

With that said, I believe the sooner the popular video game industry crashes and burns the better, so we can stop being treated to repetitive sequel madness. My hope is that real innovators can then take over. In the meantime I'm content to avoid games altogether.

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Last edited by Ante on 09 Nov 2005, 4:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I play video games... but they probably are too violent...

Videogames are merely a scapegoat. Games do have ratings for a reason, and it is up to the parents to ensure that their kids only play the ones that are actually designed for them.

Shops aren't allowed to sell mature rated videogames to children, so the children have to get their parents to buy them- but the parents should make an effort to be more aware about what they are actually buying!

I do not believe that (most) people who play videogames are affected by them in a negative way. Most of the time people who are upset take it out on a videogame to relieve stress, rather than playing a game and suddenly feeling aggressive and homicidal, which is the scenario that is often (wrongly) portrayed.

As for encouraging people to drive at unsafe speeds etc- Videogames are a fantasy! If you can't tell the difference between real life and a video game, then there are bigger problems you should be dealing with! The whole point of such games is to let people experience what it is like to undertake such risky and fantastical activities in a completely safe environment.
People don't say "Grr, I drove at 500mph in a videogame, and smashed into seven pedestrians- I better go and do it in real life!", they are more likely to say "Wow, the traffic was really bad today in real life, I'm going to go play a videogame where I can drive around at high speeds without having to worry about traffic jams!"

I have no issues with videogame ratings, as they are a helpful way for you to decide what you want to experience and what you don't. However, I do not believe that video games designed for adults should be censored on the behalf of children who shouldn't be playing them anyway.

And as for:

Well next time the world gets overrun with zombies, perhaps you should try inviting them round for tea and scones, and see how far that gets you?

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Last edited by Ante on 09 Nov 2005, 4:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I play Video games, but what I play is not that violent at all. Yes, games can be too violent. But I think the rating system works well. Parents should monitor kids with their video games. But I don't think parents should blame everything on video games for kid's behaviors. Sometimes it's a scapegoat for parents to say kids behave like this because of video games, but also could be because parents are not there for them or do not monitor them. Because Kids have to be responsible for their actions, some of which video games is not the cause. Sometimes video games can make them violent, but not always. That's my two cents.

Personally I believe that video games, and television should be allowed to make and show whatever they damn well please. And that it is the responsibility of the parent to shield their children from what they consider too violent or teaching bad lessons. And parents should teach their children proper lessons about life so they can understand the reality of the world versus the entertainment of videogames and television, AND if you can't do that as a parent, you shouldn't have children.

When you decided to become a parent did you think that it was the responsibility of the world to not f**k up your kid? As much as you may like to believe that other people should believe what you do, they most often don't and if you want to pass on your beliefs to your child "uncorrupted" you had best be prepared to do that alone.

How old are you? A point of view like this usually comes from someone who really has no idea what shi* parents in todays society must deal with. I have experience parenting. I'm not a parent, I'm a big brother. I can safely tell you that parenting sucks no matter what hand your delt. Some responsibility belongs to TV stations and videogames. I commend any station that waits until late night to show adult shows. It should be law, but isn't. Jerry Springer is on from 11 AM-1 PM. That's not good if my mom and I are both working, because then my brother could watch it. He's a child, and he's curious. It's only natural to want to explore. As for videogames, they should consider advertising something other than "M" rated games. Kids don't know what else there is if it's the only thing ever advertised.

I believe that if you are not confident that you can handle what s**t this world will hand you, you shouldn't have a child. I wont have a child unless I am confident that I have the time and resources to handle whatever this world does to them. It is a matter of opinion. It doesn't matter how old I am, i'm not going to change my tune with age. More than likely i will never have a child unless i make it rich early and can devote 100% of my time to their care.

Video Games, just as a form of entertainment... has nothing inherently wrong with them. Video games could be very educational and wholesome. Its just another thing, on top of books, movies, television, pictures, photographs... etc. In fact, since Video games are usually an active, user participation focused entertainment it has more options to be worthwhile than just a movie or television show.

The content is what is the problem, not the media itself.

I for one am pretty disgusted by the current crop of violent, evil games, where the main action is doing something inherrently evil. With GTA leading the way. And in a way a game can be potentially much worse than movies, since the action is actively participated and enjoyed by the user. A movie is passive, so a mobster movie... can be realistic without glorifiying the activity. It would be very hard to make a game where the activitey enjoyed by the user isn't glorified and made to be fun. Since to be a good game it has to be fun. A movie/television show doesn't need this angle... it can be interesting and enjoyable without being fun... since it is passive.

As for violence, I don't have a real big problem with this. Since usually the violence is against somebody/thing evil... so it isn't an issue. And usually its not realistic enough to cause problems. The desensitizing is an issue that is the same with any media, movies, television, comics, all can have the same issues. So I don't see why games tend to get focused on for this, when it can be a problem in pretty much anything. Also, I don't think the violence desensitzing is a problem with normal people, I myself have played violent fps shooter games, and yet could never even pick up a gun I think. And the thought of me hurting someone in real life due to violence makes me sick. And the same is the case with every one else I know who plays games. A few people who all ready have problems, could perhaps get inspired by a game to do some violence. But then this isn't any differient than some movies either... so the whole bundle of entertainment choices should be critisized... not just video games.

As for games rotting kids minds, and what-not... there are many games that require quite a bit of logic and problem solving to figure out. Most being in the puzzle variety, but these games do exist. Mario Picross, for the Gameboy for example, requires quite the bit of logic to figure out. Along with Polarium recently released for the Nintend DS. And even RPGs and adventure games require thought and analysis. In rpgs, coming up with the best skill set and best weapons to use based on statistics requires intelligence, The active risk managment of fighting the battles coming up with the best plan to beat hard bosses, and specific foes. And adventure games require thought to solve the puzzles before you, investigating clues and reasoning out the solution. The recent Metroid Prime games, (and all metroid games really, but these especially because of the 3D enviroments) have you investigating maps and areas and using your memory of the game to proceed in the game.

Action games, usually require the near perfection of certain hand-eye movemnents along with an active subconsious intelligence to get past games fairly random obsticales. The super monkey ball games, certainly require much skill to be good at the game, and the perfection of this skill shouldn't be considered any worse than getting good at bowling, darts or billards... or various other Sports.

Not to mention the social element that goes along with multiplayer games. While Television shows have people watching and not interacting, video games can get people together and interacting with each other having a great time.

I really don't get all the problems people have with Video Games. I think it has many more benefits than TV and Movies, and offers options that books can't offer. There are so many options with Games, that I doubt most people would have any problems if they looked at the industry as a whole... all the genres of games... instead of the select few bad/horrendous games that make headlines.

Heh. I recon you should also have to take an IQ test before you can purchase a game. You are required to have average to above average IQ to purchase any game with more than normal violence....

The problem is that this is subjective. I for one don't consider stealing cars to be inherantly evil. I'm not saying its a great thing to do, or condoning it- but it certainly isn't something I would consider evil. More thoughtless or inconsiderate really.