GTA, Taking the heat off Mortal Kombat since 1997
Video Games have evolved over the years from a few pixels to an immersive experience. Graphics are photo realistic and deliver action with over the top explosions and gore. Gamers now have a selection of titles where they can shoot, blast, stab and destroy their way through any obstacle yet they remain just that, "Games." Personally, I dont believe video games cause people to have violent tendancies I do however, agree that games desensitise impressionable minds into losing the shock value of violence. Let me clarify... The average gamer is aged between 18-35 years, an adult. We have grown up, have a sense of moral obligations and understand the consequences to our actions. Young children do not have these skills in a fully developed state and can be confused by what they see on their TV screens.
Who's to blame?
I don't even...
Being a veteran of the Retail aspect of the games industry, there have been many a time where I have sold a copy of a violent game to a parent who is buying for their child... that's right, child. I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, that an 8 year old child shouldn't be exposed to a game where you solicit prostitutes and gun down civilians for money. Now before you think I'm blaming the parents think again. I'm not even going to begin to pretend I know how to raise a child, but I think the blame is soley on A lack of education.
Parents who buys these games don't intentionally want to expose their kids to this sort violence at a young age. Due to pressure from the child and not understanding the content that their kids are seeing, parents can unintentionally harm their childs sense of morality.
So how do we solve this? Well, not buying GTA for an 8 year old would be a great start, but retailers should help parents paint a better picture of the software they are buying and on the homefront, perhaps parents can help explain and educate children on the games they are playing. An even better idea would be the media not firing blame at everything gaming related and maybe say "Hey, this guy was messed up." And finally, in a perfect world, we could try to identify the real social issues behind shooting sprees such as, I don't know, having military grade weapons in civilian homes for the hell of it.
I think all gamers would have something to say about this debate and encourage you to share your thoughts (http://www.facebook.com/SOGwhatsitlike) on the media and violent video games because one thing I've always noticed is when the blame finger is pointed at gamers, we never get to have a say.
-Sarge
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