Who's right about video game violence?
Gamers and free speech advocates typically cry foul at such claims, claiming that gaming is a harmless hobby, or even better, a constitutionally protected example of free speech, and that industry critics are crying wolf in order to exploit kids for political gain.
The vocal anti-violence advocate Jack Thompson (left) talks about Manhunt 2 in a recent Fox News broadcast. On Oct. 25, he sued Best Buy, claiming the company sells M-rated games to underage kids.
The reality lies somewhere between these two extremes. Video games have clearly not led to a breakdown of society, and crime rates hover near their lowest points in decades in many large cities -- but at the same time, game developers and publishers have shown a distinct lack of responsibility, constantly pushing the boundaries into new realms of sadistic content and taking only minimal steps to ensure adult products are kept out of the hands of children.
Reader Comments (290)
ok you must of been smoking something heavy to say that manhunt is training serial killers, and i guess splinter cell is teaching us how to kill and leave no trace, or is mario wanting us to get messed on some mushrooms and i guess sonic he just propels the A.D.D. disorder and wow we can blame the wrecks on the road on car racing games, and the sims, man they are creating a manipulating society, first of all i bet this guy did not play the game, or even for once try it, he probably was like oh man im gonna end up learning how to kill some guy and then im gonna wanna go out and try it in real life. This guy and everyone else that thinks like this, needs to go to a shrink and work out their paranoid problems, and stop getting on gamers nerves and start getting on parents who let little billy and sally play these horrible games you never even played.
stfu playsavvy let thekids play fun m games and get off the hardcore gamers back!
I like the idea of a ten year old not being able to get their hands on Gears of War or something to that effect but ppl are taking this waaaaay to far. I think the descision rests with the parents whether or not to let their kids play M rated games. The system we have now may have some glitches in it but we can work those out. For example-If a person goes into Gamestop and tries to buy an M rated game they will be asked for identification. If they can't provide it or if they are underage they will not have the game sold to them. The descision rests with the parents.
some games do have violence in them. BUT in real life violence is just around the corner. i dont think that a game should be critisized because there might be a little blood in the game. like i said life is not perfect so there will always be violence. and all adults who disagree with me your either 1. overprotective 2. too afraid to realize what the world really is or 3. just an *** hole who doesnt like to have some fun!!!
I do believe it needs to be policed. what people fail to understand is that one person...such as the well adjusted honor student may play these games and be totally unaffected, all ARE NOT well adjusted honor students. You may have two children in the same home that react differently. People as a whole have become totally immune to violence. I personally think its sad this is our #1 form of entertainment. They may be fine for some kids but NEVER ok for others.
The games are not the problem. It's the parents. Even if you take away all the games and movies you still have the news. Witch has more violence in it then any game or movie. Anyone who thinks violence in games or movies is the cause of bad kids then they need to have there head looked at.
and then the way too over-bearing parents said, "Let's agree with Tipper Gore and put a ban on everything!!!" hello, stupid parents (yes, I AM TALKING TO YOU.), you're buying the games. Oh, and Tipper, you're little "Parental Advisory" and that bull**** known as "Rated M for Mature" just make us want the games more. Oh, and Resident Evil 4 and GTA: San Andreas are BADASS!!!!
The computer rule applies: GARBAGE IN = GARBAGE OUT!
this is lame people, comon if you do not like video games don't buy them. don't screw everything else up for us. parents are to protective. do you think that if we play one violent video game were going to shoot somebody, no. look at footage of the iraq war shown on tv. how about foot ball that is very violent. don't be lame people here's a goute from a friend of mine "Don't like it, don't buy it."
it pisses me off man. this bull about video games causing violent behavior. ive played the most violent grusome games out there and i dont murder people or participate in criminal acts. Dont these idiots have anything better to complain about??