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The violence in video games relationship..
trevellian
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
..otherwise known as "monkey see, monkey do"
Yup, here we go again..I realise this may be a tired old debate for most of us, if so, please just let the thread drop down and out of site, I really posted this up to see if anything *new* has happened in the past few weeks.
Looks like Jack Thompson and his supporters have another anecdotal illustration of their argument
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/06/27/gta_crime_wave_ny_kids/
Although I am not convinced that this is not another case of people getting caught and then saying "it was that games fault, it warped my fragile little mind, I would have been down the library helping old folks if it wasn't for that game...". Additionally of course there's nothing to say these guys wouldn't have gone out and mugged people anyway, they just decided to do it GTA4 stylee.
In the UK we already have the governament creating their "action plan" to stick their nose in^^^^ I mean to regulate and protect us poor plebiates.
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/06/26/gov_action_plan_over_web_and_videogames/
I am still not quite sure what all the arm waving and mouth frothing is about - as far as I am aware in the UK (and US) there is already a classification scheme for games (possibly voluntary, not sure on that) and that legislation is already in place for dealing with people that sell games to youngsters.
The only area I can think of that might require someone with knowledge (ie not an elected official) to look at is sales over the internet, but I guess that's tied to credit cards.
Anything new you guys have heard about?
Yup, here we go again..I realise this may be a tired old debate for most of us, if so, please just let the thread drop down and out of site, I really posted this up to see if anything *new* has happened in the past few weeks.
Looks like Jack Thompson and his supporters have another anecdotal illustration of their argument
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/06/27/gta_crime_wave_ny_kids/
Although I am not convinced that this is not another case of people getting caught and then saying "it was that games fault, it warped my fragile little mind, I would have been down the library helping old folks if it wasn't for that game...". Additionally of course there's nothing to say these guys wouldn't have gone out and mugged people anyway, they just decided to do it GTA4 stylee.
In the UK we already have the governament creating their "action plan" to stick their nose in^^^^ I mean to regulate and protect us poor plebiates.
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/06/26/gov_action_plan_over_web_and_videogames/
I am still not quite sure what all the arm waving and mouth frothing is about - as far as I am aware in the UK (and US) there is already a classification scheme for games (possibly voluntary, not sure on that) and that legislation is already in place for dealing with people that sell games to youngsters.
The only area I can think of that might require someone with knowledge (ie not an elected official) to look at is sales over the internet, but I guess that's tied to credit cards.
Anything new you guys have heard about?
trevellian on
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just read the second article and I dont think parents would even know how to set up restraints on consoles. At least its a valiant effort to get adults to play.
Parental tip!
Don't assume your children have common sense. Teach them common sense.
The only real issue with this is that it requires that games be very evenly distributed.
Also for people to pay attention.
Sight's a funny thing. When you don't expect something to be there, or simply don't care, you won't notice it even if it's staring you in the face. So a parent who thinks there is no rating system, or simply doesn't give a damn, won't be taught by anything. And these are the people who so fervently complain about little Johnny or Debbie playing GTA and stealing a car or what the hell ever.
This is also, of course, why the game stores ask if you have any games to trade in now, despite all the bright neon glowing signs. If you don't expect it to be there, it won't register in your mind.
I don't know how much longer this last will hold for, though. The average gamer is what, 28 now? A fair percentage are parents themselves, too. There'll always be people who just Don't Like Computers, but the technology is becoming normalised.
Have you read the Byron Report? It's actually quite sensible.
It's primary recommendations are to dump the PEGI ratings (because nobody knows what they mean), have the BBFC rate all games (not just those that need a 15 or an 18 certificate) so that parents are better able to tell what is and is not appropriate for their kids.
It also recommends education aimed at parents so that they better understand the typical content of games and the internet, and know why they should be monitoring their children's use of both.
The new studies being commisioned in that link are because the Byron report didn't make any conclusion regarding the effects of videogame violence on young people. Instead it basically said that the evidence from either side is nigh-useless because of the volume of it that's been carried out either by special interest groups, or without sufficient academic rigour. Instead it recommended some proper studies were carried out with parameters appropriate to it's use as a basis for policy.
It's like the usual complaints against reading, it'll die down and pop up again now and then.
Actually, the biggest issue is that some moron will pick up a game from the M section, look at it, and put it back in the E spot. Then some other parent will see it, and throw a shit fit.
This will happen often, people will claim games are corrupting the youth of [insert country], and it won't get better.
I agree with Cat... this will blow over eventually. Gamers are getting older, and eventually, we'll be the ones in power (mwahahahaha!).
https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197970666737/
Hey a 14 year old playing a game that flat out says it's intended for people over 17. Way to go parents.
I'm thinking another two generations of consoles. You're going to have a huge community of 40+ year-olds that grew up with game consoles that are going to know this is bullshit.
The threat of being waggled to death is somehow not getting through to me.
That wouldn't change a thing. I've run a video game store for 5 years. Maybe 5% of parents actually look at the rating. The rest have given up as parents. Even after i tell the about the content of GTA IV they still buy it for their 10 year olds. Here's the most common answers when i inform them.
-He'll play it anyway...(HOW? don't let your kids go t other kids houses who are allowed to play that game then!!!)
-His father will just buy it for him...(usually divorced, or the father doesn't care)
-He already plays it at his fathers house...(cool you couldn't work out your marriage so not you try to each buy your kids love with inappropriate items to look "cool". Why not just give your kid the keys to the car and a fattie..that would make you a wicked cool parent!!!)
-I don't let him play it with the volume on. (well i'm glad that negates the violence and sex)
- Oh he plays all those games! what can you do?......(umm..be a parent and not let him?)
- I don't mind violence as long as there's no nudity....(because boobies are more dangerous than guns)
-He can play whatever he wants....(worthless)
-I know he shouldn't play it but it keeps him out of my hair!lolololol..........(FUCK YOU! you shouldn't have had a child then! they require attention!
and once i got...and i quote.
"Who the fuck are you to tell me how to raise my child. I make the decisions for him not you."
Too bad most of the parents I encounter have absolutely zero fucking clue what ESRB ratings mean and are intended to show.
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This can be a rather valid point if the kid is being raised properly and is not in danger of being influenced by games and toys.
Not ALL kids are little retarded sponge bots.
...or nuked the country, despite my other main game being Howitzer.
Whole thing: Non-issue.
Do... do I hit you with a rolled up newspaper for this?
Probably not all that valid in this particular context - if he sold the game without warning they'd have been back to complain about the content.
Zerg should have replied, "Me? I'm just the guy who sells material that is designed for adults and so feel it is my duty to inform my customers of the potential dangers of the products they are purchasing if handed to a child. Although given your obvious parenting skills, maybe your delightful offspring would like to visit my Crack & Whore Emporium just down the road."
And, surprisingly, our parents haven't dropped anvils on people's heads either.
If you feel this way, then why did you sell them the games?