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Video Game Violence: Reality Check (WII)

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We dig deep into gaming's most controversial issue.

by Harmon Daniels on Friday, October 26, 2007

"There is a warning about a new video game that will soon hit store shelves," starts the local TV news report about Rockstar Games' upcoming Manhunt 2, delivered in a typically sermonizing TV anchor tenor, as a montage of disturbing images from the game plays in the background. "Players simulate various ways of murder from strangulation to stabbings with their controllers."

Video game watchdogs have called Rockstar Games' bloody Manhunt 2 (pictured above) a "murder training device." Click to see more images from the controversial game.

Every generation of popular culture needs a boogeyman, and like dime-store novels, comic books and horror films, video games are public enemy number-one for many parents, politicians and pundits. According to them, games desensitize children and turn them into unfeeling killing machines. Controversial anti-game attorney Jack Thompson has called violent games "murder simulators," and has attributed (often without evidence) many cases of school violence to gamers acting out what they see on screen.

Next: Who's right about video game violence?

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Latest Article Comments (288)

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gunnaberanger on 10/20/2008 11:28 am

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.

chargersrt809 on 6/8/2008 7:01 pm

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!!!

sailfofun on 11/6/2007 5:06 pm

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.

imsocrzy469 on 11/6/2007 5:02 pm

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.

salasandcompany on 11/6/2007 5:01 pm

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!!!!

bobbied100 on 11/6/2007 5:01 pm

The computer rule applies: GARBAGE IN = GARBAGE OUT!

utesam on 11/6/2007 5:00 pm

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."

oggyahoy234 on 11/6/2007 5:00 pm

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??

mewber7 on 11/6/2007 4:59 pm

woops they figured it out, Games to train for killing. The jig is up... Paranoid much?

iamdarkheart on 11/6/2007 4:59 pm

Come on! If kids do things they saw in video games my generation would be running around dark rooms, eating pill, jumping on turtles and listening to repetitive music.It's just a GAME!! Hell. I think the more violent it is, the better it is for kids. They can vent their anger with the game and not do these things in reality. And besides, if the games do teach kids to be violent their parents should just not buy the game for them or let them play it.