perception of violence in video games

**QuasiHero** · 07-09-2005, 03:57 PM

Re: perception of violence in video games

sure, the media thinks the gaming industry is violent, for which there is ample evidence. the gaming industry is right in that the parents are the ultimate responsibilty, but it should not use this excuse as a free license to put whatever material it wants out there.

as our society changes, good parenting is eroding and will continue to erode due to many factors (political, economical, moral), which i won't get into here. so in that absence, the government has been trying to fill in the parenting with increasing social services for the youth (head start, after-school programs, etc.). the objective media is just pointing out that in the absence of good parenting, violent games will influence young minds.

now i'm not saying all youth will go practice the violence in real life. but our culture rightly believes in keeping negative influences away from our developing youth. this is reflected in laws that deter pornography, alcohol, violent movies, tobacco, gambling away from minors. sure the industry has set up this rating system that retailers follow, but realistically, it's easy to get around for teenager with natural curiosity.

i am not necessarily defending the media. my point is that the video game industry needs to wake up and take some social responsibility because they do (and know this very well) have a great impact on the youth. in fact, just like the tobacco industry used to do, this adult "M-rated" material is marketed toward minors. companies in other industies have embraced this "corporate responsiblity" by attempting to be more environmentally cleaner, getting involved with local charities, and promoting social issues.

and what has the video game industry done? nothing but increase the violence with every generation to make a buck without any thought of repercussion. and as they techonology advances, the virtual and reality only gets closer.

**Pared** · 07-12-2005, 02:47 PM

Re: perception of violence in video games

Thanks, E. Great article.

**tenth** · 07-12-2005, 04:35 PM

Re: perception of violence in video games

Originally posted by QuasiHero

sure the industry has set up this rating system that retailers follow, but realistically, it's easy to get around for teenager with natural curiosity

What's the difference between the ratings system for video games and the ratings system for movies?

Not knocking you here, but probing your brain. I know I saw a bunch of movies I shouldn't have as a kid, and trust me when I say my mom was not a passive parent.

**jmood88** · 07-12-2005, 08:58 PM

Re: perception of violence in video games

Originally posted by QuasiHero

sure the industry has set up this rating system that retailers follow, but realistically, it's easy to get around for teenager with natural curiosity

No rating system will keep teenagers from getting something that they want.

**Vyce3** · 07-12-2005, 10:22 PM

Re: perception of violence in video games

Originally posted by QuasiHero

sure, the media thinks the gaming industry is violent, for which there is ample evidence. the gaming industry is right in that the parents are the ultimate responsibilty, but it should not use this excuse as a free license to put whatever material it wants out there.

as our society changes, good parenting is eroding and will continue to erode due to many factors (political, economical, moral), which i won't get into here. so in that absence, the government has been trying to fill in the parenting with increasing social services for the youth (head start, after-school programs, etc.). the objective media is just pointing out that in the absence of good parenting, violent games will influence young minds.

now i'm not saying all youth will go practice the violence in real life. but our culture rightly believes in keeping negative influences away from our developing youth. this is reflected in laws that deter pornography, alcohol, violent movies, tobacco, gambling away from minors. sure the industry has set up this rating system that retailers follow, but realistically, it's easy to get around for teenager with natural curiosity.

i am not necessarily defending the media. my point is that the video game industry needs to wake up and take some social responsibility because they do (and know this very well) have a great impact on the youth. in fact, just like the tobacco industry used to do, this adult "M-rated" material is marketed toward minors. companies in other industies have embraced this "corporate responsiblity" by attempting to be more environmentally cleaner, getting involved with local charities, and promoting social issues.

and what has the video game industry done? nothing but increase the violence with every generation to make a buck without any thought of repercussion. and as they techonology advances, the virtual and reality only gets closer.

If you start killing people because you thought it was cool in that movie or this video game, you deserve to be fried on the big chair...

**HardwoodHeisman** · 07-13-2005, 12:20 AM

Re: perception of violence in video games

Originally posted by Vyce3

If you start killing people because you thought it was cool in that movie or this video game, you deserve to be fried on the big chair...

Now if only people would use this logic when blaming 50 Cent and 2Pac's lyrics for their children going buckwild.

**RoyalBoyle78** · 07-13-2005, 01:25 AM

Re: perception of violence in video games

I say it's on the parents, watch what your kids play, and ask before you buy it for them. Bottom line if a kid get violent game it's the parent fault, not the game industry

**jmood88** · 07-13-2005, 10:53 AM

Re: perception of violence in video games

Originally posted by Vyce3

If you start killing people because you thought it was cool in that movie or this video game, you deserve to be fried on the big chair...

If someone killed themselves after listening to rock or rap then they were probably going to do it anyway.

**burnwood** · 07-13-2005, 11:40 AM

Re: perception of violence in video games

Originally posted by FootballForever

I say it's on the parents, watch what your kids play, and ask before you buy it for them. Bottom line if a kid get violent game it's the parent fault, not the game industry

True and I share the same feelings as I have kids, however, I thought one issue brought up in that interview was that the top 10 games were not suited for children or are violent and there has been a significant decline in games that are the opposite. So there is also a responsibility to the gaming industry to balance out games that are on the market for consumption. At the current rate there will be no game left that doesn't bear an "M" rating.

**tenth** · 07-13-2005, 04:47 PM

Re: perception of violence in video games

Originally posted by burnwood

So there is also a responsibility to the gaming industry to balance out games that are on the market for consumption.

As nice a thought as that is, I disagree. They're a business afterall, with profit as the primary focus. If they don't make money, they can't make games. If the young audience market is not as profitable or a much riskier market, there's no incentive for companies to continue pumping out games targeted at them.

If anybody is really concerned about lack of availability of quality titles aimed at younger-generations, there's always Nintendo. My sister (age 23) owns a GameCube, and every single game she owns for it (~15 or so) is suitable for young kids. And I've got to admit, a lot of them are a blast.

**burnwood** · 07-14-2005, 01:16 AM

Re: perception of violence in video games

Originally posted by tenth

As nice a thought as that is, I disagree. They're a business afterall, with profit as the primary focus. If they don't make money, they can't make games. If the young audience market is not as profitable or a much riskier market, there's no incentive for companies to continue pumping out games targeted at them.

If anybody is really concerned about lack of availability of quality titles aimed at younger-generations, there's always Nintendo. My sister (age 23) owns a GameCube, and every single game she owns for it (~15 or so) is suitable for young kids. And I've got to admit, a lot of them are a blast.

Don't get it twisted, Nintendo is not exempt. There are a lot of cross platform questionable games out there so a particular console argument is moot.

Being that it is a given that the industry is a business does not excuse responsibility. This is not the only avenue of life that excuses responsibility in the name of a dollar bill.

**Vyce3** · 07-14-2005, 11:52 AM

Re: perception of violence in video games

Originally posted by jmood88

If someone killed themselves after listening to rock or rap then they were probably going to do it anyway.

exactly

**tenth** · 07-14-2005, 06:04 PM

Re: perception of violence in video games

Originally posted by burnwood

Don't get it twisted, Nintendo is not exempt. There are a lot of cross platform questionable games out there so a particular console argument is moot

If you have a problem with cross-platform titles, don't let your kids buy them. Seems simple enough to me. The fact remains that you can supply your kid with a console that is constantly producing quality kid-friendly titles.

Being that it is a given that the industry is a business does not excuse responsibility. This is not the only avenue of life that excuses responsibility in the name of a dollar bill.

Difference of opinion I suppose.

**goh** · 07-15-2005, 12:22 AM

Re: perception of violence in video games

I hate how GTA is always the specific game that gets blamed and now 25 to life too. I'd like to see the list of those 10 worst content games and there's probably some not even on there that are far worse.

Is this it? (says it's in alpahbetical order)

(1) Doom 3
(2) Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
(3) Gunslinger Girls 2
(4) Half Life 2
(5) Halo 2
(6) Hitman: Blood Money
(7) Manhunt
(8) Mortal Kombat: Deception
(9) Postal 2
(10) Shadow Hearts

If that's what they think is bad now maybe it's best they don't know.

perception of violence in video games

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