Videogame Violence
In the ongoing feud over video game violence and its detrimental effects on kids, of course everyone has their own opinions and statements over what they think the leading cause is. I wasn’t too sure on what the big issue on video game violence in children was until I was strolling around in my local Blockbuster one cold afternoon.
After having browsed through the new PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube games, I watched some kids, who were probably in grade 2 or grade 1, make their selections on the new PS2 games. I also noticed that there were no parents around (and yes, this is still relating to video games). After a long argument over which game was cooler, they decided to rent the hit State of Emergency for PS2 and Metal Gear Solid 2 for PS2. As they processed towards the counter, they showed the games to the cashier, paid for them, and left…just like that! The parents were waiting outside!
I mean, what the hell is this all about? Why do we have companies such as ESRB maintain and rate several thousand games a year? The real issue isn’t violence IN video games, but rather WHO and HOW kids rent the violent games. State of Emergency, currently featured in EGM, is a riot simulator in which you must induce riots in the city, and fend off riot patrols by any means possible. You definitely experience your share of maims, pillaging, and blood after a good run throough. Metal Gear Solid 2, a top nominee for Game of the Year, is controlled killing in a military environment in which you must be stealthy and professional. Both SOE and MGS2 have rating of mature, which is classified as a game intended for 17+. Here’s the description of a Mature game as listed on ESRB’s website, ESRB.com
“Titles rated “Mature (M)” have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. These products may include more intense violence or language than products in the Teen category. In addition, these titles may also include mature sexual themes.”
As you can clearly see, these kids, upon playing the game, would be exposed to sexual themes, intense violence, and language. Once you boil down this issue, there are really two major concerns…Blockbuster’s ignorance and the parent’s ignorance. Parents have yet to realize that video games have matured from Pong in the 60’s and Mario in the 90’s to a multi-billion-dollar-a-year-industry that is bigger than Tinsletown. Games, especially on the PS2 and Xbox consoles, are intended for older gamers and thus should be played by them. Parents should be with their kids during their video game renting and playage, and take an active interest in what they purchase (this may seem sad, but my mom is still hesitant over some of the games that I play which have strong violence themes). Doing this can avoid situations where Little Timmy has just put down Wrestlemania X8 and attempts the Pedigree on his younger sister. The sister gets hurt, and the parent summarizes the situation, blaming it on videogames and disregarding herself as the perpetuator.
Geez, it must be those video games again. Thos damn videogames. They have too much violence in them these days. Something has to be done."
Blockbuster also has to be co-operative if they want to curb video game violence and its influence on children. Then again, doing this may also curb their profits of people renting the games. But it doesn’t matter what Blockbuster does: ultimately, it’s the parent’s choice…Blockbuster provides the games, but it’s the kids who rent and play them. And only the most adamant Blockbuster employees would even stop kids from renting the games (most employees probably play the games themselves and don’t see anything wrong with the games), and they don’t want to appear as the mean person in front of customers.
In conclusion, there is violence in video games, but it’s up to parents to decide who experiences it, and it’s Blockbuster’s job to control who obtains the games. Maybe after parents get a firmer grip on their child’s video game playing habits, this issue can finally be put to rest one and for all, and the politians and parents groups can ease off their pressure on the industry, which fuels their re-election desires.