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Roxane

This thread is opened as a continuation of the Violence in Games article on Onrpg.

Read the full article here: Violence in Games: The Never-ending Quarrel

"With all of these varied points of view in mind, should violent video games be banned from society? Should they be heavily regulated or ignored? It is virtually impossible to draw such a conclusion on a matter as elaborate as this one, however, we can still rely on ESRB ratings to protect youth from seeing or playing what they should not. (Rick Charbs, Jammart)

“If you start banning or even restricting everything that might be bad for people, where do you draw the line? Most people would draw it somewhere between drugs (probably should ban) and media (probably shouldn't ban), but even that is open to huge debate.” (Ben Lamb, BGLamb)"

What do you think?

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Ponder

I don't know about other people but, I am not violent at all, I used to leave cake out for the flies....

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Eriond

American McGee said it best when he answered the question:

"Has playing computer games ever made you want to kill someone?"

with

"No, but being woken up at three in the morning by a telemarketer has."

Or some such.

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Holypancake

IMO that kinda like banning porn from the internet: impossible

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Kashis

Yeah sure, because the world would be a better place if everyone only played games such as "My Little Pony". Violence makes games fun, interesting, realistic and as close to the real thing without anyone having to get hurt. If a small portion of humans cannot separate the game from reality then they have a weak mind and should not be playing them in the first place. I find them to be very relaxing and a great way to connect with people.

I'm pretty sure violence existed within humans well before they found out how to create a fictional environment to emulate or describe it.

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Roxane

It's such a tricky topic because for example I'm really interested in Serious Gaming development -> the concept of using games for training and education. A virtual cockpit for a flight trainee is already considered close to a gaming environment. Virtual classes, games in stead of tests - who isn't looking forward to that?!

The big question then is: what are you learning? Are you getting to know the rule-base, or the information in the game, or a combination of both?

But if we look forward to games instead of tests, quests instead of homework, then we say we are learning content and systems from these games. Then who's to say we aren't learning about violence, violent methods, tactical ways to cover, sneak and kill someone..?


Full article available here by the way: Violence in Games

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BGLamb

Hehe, when I play too many FPSs I start to instinctively note areas of cover and available exits whenever I walk into places. Same when I played too much Tony Hawks one month. After a while whe whole world just becomes made up of 'jumps' and 'grinds'. The same thing must happen to a certain extent with our descision making process.

I'm not sure I agree with Rickee about the ESRB protecting us though. I used to work in a game shop (for GAME in the UK, I think it's owned by Electronics Boutique for you yanks), and there was no attempt by the company at all to restrict these games. The ESRB was seen as a guideline (and thus ignored). Games carried an official (BBFC) rating as well, and for these we would tell the kid they have to get their mum to buy it for them.

I now work in a pub, and if I tried that line there, I could go to prison. Although games are rated, it has to be understood that these ratings get broken without any thought, and while you can say it's the responsibility of the parent not to give their 8-yr old GTA, that doesn't remove the responsibility of the rest of us who allowed that parent to give it to their kid.

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darknight55

Things to note: Learning from games = in your mind, unless you are serious enough to practice the moves IRL ".. So violence in games can only do so much~ You still need real life practices.

Eg. You think you are hiding like a pro behind a seat, but in actual fact, your butt is showing/ You do a barrel roll, and hit yourself in the head instead.
You think you are holding a rifle in a correct posture, in actual fact, yes you are, but due to lack of training, a few shots into that, your arms are tired, losing accuracy... big time.
Also to note, no trained personals are able to shoot well at night, anyone who have shot a rifle/gun at night without lights should be able to verify that, unless you are using nightvision scopes etc ..

BGLamb

Quite. Or you think you're making a well-informed tactical descision, you're actually acting like a violent moron.

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MageMoa

Aww, I wanted to participate too


Ontopic: I'm probably the least violent person you've ever met. I haven't hurt anything in the last.. 5 years? I don't hit (defending yourself doesn't count ), kick or neither do I get into any fight. I'm so harmless :o

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