Monday, January 05, 2004
Video games are art...deal with it
Video games are an art form. If we can't at least agree on that it's difficult to deal with other issues. The fact that they are, for the most part, a commercial art form is not relevant. Just like music, books, and most analogously, motions pictures, there are all kinds of games made by all kinds of people for all kinds of reasons. How many educational video games are made each year? Dozens? Hundreds?
Yes, there are violent video games...just like there are violent movies, books, TV shows and so on. I even play some of them. That does not make me a homicidal maniac. Stories like this one in the New York Post via Penny-Arcade are quite frustrating. I'm disturbed by anyone who thinks that if there is some part of the culture they don't agree with, it should be banned. The game most often referenced in these kind of stories is Grand Theft Auto 3. I own it but did not play through it very much. It's not really my cup of tea. It is extremely violent. Should it be banned? Of course not. Should it be rated M (17 and older)? Absolutely, and it is. The author of the Post story scoffs at this citing that kids play it anyway. Now, whose fault is that? Parents are absolutely responsible for what parts of the culture their kids are exposed to. There are plenty of things in the various medias that no kids should see or read. It's a parent's job to see to this. Yes it's difficult and yes you have to pay attention. It's part of the job.
I think people like this author are thrown by the word game. I believe they think that games are for children and children only. Oh, maybe bridge or chess on occasion would be acceptable but that's about it. Certainly video games are not an appropriate way to pass the time for an adult.
I stated playing video games in 1978 when I was 10-years-old. I'm 35 now and, like my requirements for books and movies, I'm looking for more mature themes in the games I play. Not necessarily violent, and not necessarily rated M. But if that is where the story the artists want to tell goes, so be it.
Just like any other art form, there will be pieces you don't like and maybe don't understand. Artistic expression and freedom is one of the bedrocks of America. Freedom requires vigilance, especially on the part of parents. Don't wish it away - get involved with your kids.
Yes, there are violent video games...just like there are violent movies, books, TV shows and so on. I even play some of them. That does not make me a homicidal maniac. Stories like this one in the New York Post via Penny-Arcade are quite frustrating. I'm disturbed by anyone who thinks that if there is some part of the culture they don't agree with, it should be banned. The game most often referenced in these kind of stories is Grand Theft Auto 3. I own it but did not play through it very much. It's not really my cup of tea. It is extremely violent. Should it be banned? Of course not. Should it be rated M (17 and older)? Absolutely, and it is. The author of the Post story scoffs at this citing that kids play it anyway. Now, whose fault is that? Parents are absolutely responsible for what parts of the culture their kids are exposed to. There are plenty of things in the various medias that no kids should see or read. It's a parent's job to see to this. Yes it's difficult and yes you have to pay attention. It's part of the job.
I think people like this author are thrown by the word game. I believe they think that games are for children and children only. Oh, maybe bridge or chess on occasion would be acceptable but that's about it. Certainly video games are not an appropriate way to pass the time for an adult.
I stated playing video games in 1978 when I was 10-years-old. I'm 35 now and, like my requirements for books and movies, I'm looking for more mature themes in the games I play. Not necessarily violent, and not necessarily rated M. But if that is where the story the artists want to tell goes, so be it.
Just like any other art form, there will be pieces you don't like and maybe don't understand. Artistic expression and freedom is one of the bedrocks of America. Freedom requires vigilance, especially on the part of parents. Don't wish it away - get involved with your kids.
<< Home