VIDEO GAMES Vs. THE REAL WORLD

Understandably, video games have incredibly evolved with our 'Gen X'. What I don't understand is the movement towards blood and gore of some of these games. What happened to the storylines and contents that now call for über-realistic killings.

The video game article written by Andrea Lynn points out that the common element in video games is problem-solving in every shape and situation possible- which is a great learning tool. I would add that it is also great for developing hand-eye coordination. But none-the-less, Why the violence? Do some video games teach violence?

Some games are war situated, where the main character, the soldier, is given a mission to accomplish at all costs like SOCOM or Medal of Honor. In times like ours, it amazes me that these games are flying off the shelves while the majority of the country is opposed to the on-going war. And other non-military games like the Doom series or the latest version of Grand Theft Auto with the extra gore option are quenching players' thirst for the explicitly graphic.

I believe that violence breeds violence. And I do believe that violence in video games promotes violence in people that play them, whether it be on a physical, mental or simply on a verbal level. There is something to be said about behavior starting at home. We are born blank slates, so to speak, and every piece of information is soaked up into our brains. A Lot of 'if, then' statements are computed into our knowledge banks. This is applicable to any and all environments a child is exposed to.

In the real world, we have Devin Moore pleading "not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental defect". Grand Theft Auto creators are being blamed and sued on account that Devin was spending too much time on this said game and probably influenced him to do what he did. Although we all know the difference between fiction and reality, how thin does that line have to be in order for people to base their behavior on video games? Whether Devin's plea is true or just an excuse, he was maybe not mature enough to play this game and to predict the impact of his actions.

The more the graphics of these games look real, the finer the line between fiction and reality becomes. A cartooned game like The Simpsons' Hit and Run is understood as more fictional and can be as a cartoon can be, but until kids get a sense that the characters in Grand Theft Auto are placed in a fictional world, they should not play these games. Although not as simple, I think it is about maturity and logic. Perhaps ratings on these games should be revised.

New York, 09/13/05

Last updated: 11/06/05