Sessler's Soapbox: Videogame Violence is Fun!

[pattractive]

Ah yes, the tried and true topic of video game violence! An oldie but a goodie.</p>


This week on the Soapbox, Adam discusses a moment at work where someone brought up that they were offended by X-Play showing some footage of the upcoming Mature Wii game, Madworld. Now, obviously we're all very excited about this game, but the issue got Adam thinking; does interactive violence in video games desensitize us more than actual, real world violence? What does more damage to the human psyche, Manhunt 2 or the Iraq war? Madworld or U.S. sanctioned torture? Give us your opinion on the topic at hand in the comments section, but please keep it civil. We don't want to encourage any internet violence.</p>


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[Iwanttobeatester]

As a gamer since I was 3 years old, I can remember playing videogames with violence since atari. Sure that shooting Centipedes is not the same as shooting someones brain out or that Battlezone is not anywhere near Call of Duty games, but it goes to show that videogame violence was out for as long as we can remember. Some people might get offended by what happens in some games , but also those same people might laugh at something that might offended someone else. So violence is like Jenna Jameson some times. Sometimes you take it in and sometimes you just let it get to/on you. The point is, you see a mature rating on a game, you know that it is going to be violent because it will say so on the box. Even games with an E rating has violence. Like Rayman Raving Rabbids has an E rating, but we all know its funny and even cute to some of us when they get shot with a plunger and disappear.Not to mention rabbids getting clubbed, slapped, zapped, flung and so on. Jezz, im shocked that rabbit activists did not complain. Point being that the violence in videogames has been around for as long as I can remember and it is fun. Don't play the game if you think you will be offended. I love videogames, because you can do things that you can't do in real life and or do things that are moraly wrong. GTA games are fun because you can roam around the city, get in a car, go to clubs, and unleash violence when the mood strikes. To my father-in-law videogames are a way of anger management and relaxation. He only plays shooters and action games and laughs at some of the violence, who doesn't. Nothing offends me. But we all know that there are some insecure people that let their feelings get hurt by a game, but thats all it is, a game. A Game is defined as something that makes you smile and have fun as time goes by. Believe me I have fun with all types of videogames.

Bottom line : If you think that you are going to be offended in one way or another with a videogame, DON'T PLAY THE GAME!

[XxLeinaxX]

> Iwanttobeatester wrote
> Bottom line : If you think that you are going to be offended in one way or another with a videogame, DON'T PLAY THE GAME!

This couldn't be any more true. Most people just don't understand that they have a choice to play the game or not. The media also blows it out of proportion as well. If you don't want your child to see it, don't let them. If you think they want too see it or they secretly are, beat them. It's as simple as that. I got my a** kicked when I was misbehaving, and I learned my lesson. Besides, do you honestly think that a 14 year old boy is going to be more interested in unlocking dad's game compartment than finding dad's secret porn stash? Let's be honest people, if they don't find out about it now, they're gonna get f**ked up later when they start trying crack and sex because they didn't get the low-down on it at an earlier age. And another thing, DON'T BLAME THE GAME COMPANIES- BLAME THE PARENTS. The ESRB ratings couldn't be more clear, so if a Parent buys a Game for a Child, that's their business and not the Companies' problem. 'Nuff said.

[DeityBrett]

I've never understood the logic behind those that claim violence in video games causes violence in real life. A few kids go to school one day and shoot up the place, the shooters owned video games and played them, so video games cause violence? So, by that logic, we should ban swimming pools because sharks swim in water. That's just stupid!

Don't get me wrong- I know that this is a real problem that must be dealt with. I'm completely aware of it- I mean, I was in school about twenty minutes away from Columbine High School on the day that the shootings happened- everyone was terrified; but we're letting this problem consume us. We keep trying to find something to blame in these cases (music, video games, society, movies, the news, etc.) but no one has really stopped to think about if these things really are to blame. Were these things *really* the inspiration behind the shootings, that means that the kids that do this have a very fragile grip on reality. If a kid is so suggestible that they see something being done on a screen and they think they should do that, then they have problems that go deeper than the media and their parents to begin with.

[Sadistic_fps_Junkie]

My point exactly! I can remember playing my first game, back in 1993 (I was about 2 at the time) And it was Mortal Kombat on Sega Genesis. I was never denied playing violent games, and my parents never bitched about it. Nor did I, in fact, I loved violence. Always have, always will. So for you not so bright parents out there, read the E.S.R.B rating on the front and back of every game you purchase. Parent's like that are EXACTLY why there are ratings on the cases of the games. If you don't read the rating, and later find out its a gory zombie thriller, like way after you give it to your kid, then you shouldn't complain. Also, the age group is on the rating, so don't give a M rated title to a 10 year old, unless you think they can handle it. Just like when all those stupid parent's went out and bought GTA: San Andreas for their middle-school aged kids, and started riots over it. I don't think the game companies should be liable for semi-retarded parents who buy games for their kids and **** blue bricks over the simple fact that they didn't look over the game completely.

*Heavy breathing* there, I'm glad i got that off my chest.
oh, and ADAM SESSLER IS THE MAN!!

[Sadistic_fps_Junkie]

My point exactly! I can remember playing my first game, back in 1993 (I was about 2 at the time) And it was Mortal Kombat on Sega Genesis. I was never denied playing violent games, and my parents never bitched about it. Nor did I, in fact, I loved violence. Always have, always will. So for you not so bright parents out there, read the E.S.R.B rating on the front and back of every game you purchase. Parent's like that are EXACTLY why there are ratings on the cases of the games. If you don't read the rating, and later find out its a gory zombie thriller, like way after you give it to your kid, then you shouldn't complain. Also, the age group is on the rating, so don't give an M rated title to a 10 year old, unless you think they can handle it. Just like when all those stupid parent's went out and bought GTA: San Andreas for their middle-school aged kids, and started riots over it. I don't think the game companies should be liable for semi-retarded parents who buy games for their kids and crapping blue bricks over the simple fact that they didn't look over the game completely! http://forums.g4tv.com/images/smilies/mad.gif

*Heavy breathing* there, I'm glad i got that off my chest.
oh, and ADAM SESSLER IS THE MAN!!

[yotobari288]

I got my first video game in 2000 or so. It was (at least I think it was) the sly cooper series. and, although it DID have a mild form of violence, anyone whose played it knows that if that it wasnt exactly the worst violence ever.
But, with the new gen. consoles (I dont have any, unless the PSP counts.) violence is bigger and bloodier than ever. It makes me think that people want to be entertained by being killed online.
And for me, thats a good thing. As long as we dont do it outside of Xbox live or PS3 online or any other game, I think that its a good tool for stress release.
And, the ratings: HEY ADULTS!!! CHECK THE DAMN RATINGS OF WHAT YOU BUY FOR YOUR KID!!!! Itll make Sesslers life easier, as well as other gamers.
Ok, done ranting. Discuss?