Friday, February 04, 2005
Video Games: Fatal1ty or Fantasy?
It may come as a surprise to you that the video gaming industry is one of the largest segments of the Information Technology business. Whether this is true or not is hardly relevant to the fact that the effect that these games are having on the youth of today is underestimated. It is a matter of desensitization. One death is just as shocking as 10,000 deaths when combined with the nummber of murders seen by a child on television before the age of 10 years.
The question at the heart of the matter is: should the video gaming industry blithely ignore the pernicious effects of the violence they portray? Or do the Electronic Arts, Valves, Bungies and Ravens of the world owe it to children today to pursue a higher moral ground? Is "violence = $$$" the legacy that these companies want to leave to future generations?
Lest you think that an obviously well educated person such as myself is unqualified to judge the violence in these "games", let me assure you that I have spent many hours of my formative years wielding weapons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in front of a computer screen. Oh pixellated foes, tremble as my shadow crosses your path. Fear my 100 health and 100 armour. Oh, revel in the blood spray inflicted by my M90 shotgun. The last sound you will hear is the gurgle from the hole ripped in your throat courtesy of the flawless aim of my AK47. As shocking as this sounds, my considerable intellect has remained (largely) unaffected by these experiences. But what of your feeble minded son? Do you know what game he is playing on his computer right now? How many "kills" does he already have under his belt? Does he check that there is no-one in the elevator before he gets in? Does he wish he had a sniper rifle when on a high vantage point with a clear view down the street? Does he circle strafe when walking around corners? I fear for your son; for him, it may already be too late.
Food for thought, from Wally.
The question at the heart of the matter is: should the video gaming industry blithely ignore the pernicious effects of the violence they portray? Or do the Electronic Arts, Valves, Bungies and Ravens of the world owe it to children today to pursue a higher moral ground? Is "violence = $$$" the legacy that these companies want to leave to future generations?
Lest you think that an obviously well educated person such as myself is unqualified to judge the violence in these "games", let me assure you that I have spent many hours of my formative years wielding weapons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in front of a computer screen. Oh pixellated foes, tremble as my shadow crosses your path. Fear my 100 health and 100 armour. Oh, revel in the blood spray inflicted by my M90 shotgun. The last sound you will hear is the gurgle from the hole ripped in your throat courtesy of the flawless aim of my AK47. As shocking as this sounds, my considerable intellect has remained (largely) unaffected by these experiences. But what of your feeble minded son? Do you know what game he is playing on his computer right now? How many "kills" does he already have under his belt? Does he check that there is no-one in the elevator before he gets in? Does he wish he had a sniper rifle when on a high vantage point with a clear view down the street? Does he circle strafe when walking around corners? I fear for your son; for him, it may already be too late.
Food for thought, from Wally.
Labels: video games
