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TRON.dll
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Why are video games being bashed?

on Sunday, August, 24, 2008 12:24 PM
I've realized that in recent months/years, newsgroups have been over-exaggerating about the amount of violence and inappropriate content in video games. Fox news has done two reports along these lines.

One was about the Nintendo DS. In their report they were saying that child molesters could use the Nintendo DS to find out children's addresses, etc. through the Pictochat program. They interviewed several parents about this and they said something along the lines of "Wow, now I'm scared". But think about it, Pictochat only lets you chat with people, what, 12 inches away? Honestly, I've tried Pictochat before, and it is the most useless chat program I've ever tried. Here, they're claiming that they could get really far away in an empty shopping mall. An empty shopping mall. I thought it was kind of funny how they've said absolutely nothing about Xbox Live's voice chat...

Another one was about the PSP, or as they called it, the Playstation Pornable. They explained that the game system is dangerous because you can use the thing's built in web browser to look up porn. I'm sure there's absolutely nothing wrong with Internet Explorer and Firefox then, right?

Now, according to Yahoo, parents are getting upset about violence in M rated videogames that their 3-year old son is being exposed to. First off, the game is rated M. Under the big letter M on the box, it says "AGE 17+" not 3 and up. Saw a youtube vid once of a THREE YEAR OLD playing Halo 3 shouting tons of profanities. WTF? This article said something about how it's a bad thing that games are getting so violent. They're rated M. You don't have to buy them just because your 3-year old child says "I want it!". I was at a store once, at the video games section. I look down the Xbox isle and see some little kid (probably 5-6 years old). He's looking at the games and starts jumping up and down really excited. "Mommy look! Family Guy the video game!". His mother then proceeds to purchase it for him. Seriously, why?

Examples:

Leetspeek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b1cyNigny8
DS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orpgUPNSRPI
PSP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l7ng-U_fks
MapleStory:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PLOFnEUTpY
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TheReelTodd
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Sunday, August, 24, 2008 1:49 PM
In answer to your initial question as in the subject of this thread, they're being bashed for political reasons.

This is nothing new. They've been doing it since I was a kid. I remember seeing a news story on TV about the violence depicted in a 1980 (maybe 79?) racing game where you run over pedestrians. The graphics on this game were very, very basic - the pedestrians were stick figures and the cars looked like disfigured letter X's in some fancy font. But parent groups were talking about how violet it was and blah, blah, blah.

Of course, after this game came out, everyone was running over pedestrians in real life too and everyone ended up dead.

Whatever.

TRON.dll - politicians and parent groups and many other kinds of IDIOTS who have nothing better to do than to try and take away the things they don't particularly understand themselves will continue to bash video games and their "horrible, destructive effect on society". This ain't going away any time soon.

The funny thing is that the games they're picking on now will be the stuff of young kids game (as in 6-year-olds play them and parents will be ok with it) in another 10 or 20 years.

The cycle will go on and on and on.

For what it's worth - don't let it get to you. Just do your thing. The impact that political interest groups and parents have on video games is really very small in comparison to the numbers. What numbers? The number of dollars that is made from selling the games people are interested in buying. So long as there's a buck to be made, not much will happen. Some games will get the full bad-on-the-news treatment and maybe a little negative this or that will happen here or there, but they can't stop people from enjoying entertainment. Entertainment is HUGE. People want what they want and they're going to get it one way or another.

Oh, and one more thing - STOP WATCHING THE NEWS. They sensationalize everything and would have you believe that the world is nothing but murders, rapists, child molesters, houses burning down, hurricanes, robberies, and video games that cause kids to grow up to be murderers, rapists, child molesters, etc. The news is laughable.

They don't know what they're talking about, but they look good talking about it in their shirt and tie. I can wear a shirt and tie too. You wanna believe everything that comes out of my mouth? Their main purpose is to SCARE YOU in to watching more. They want people sitting on the edge of their seats watching the DRAMA that plays out. The drama usually manufactured by the people reporting. Real life isn't often as dramatic as they play it out to be - even when bad things happen. I've known people and families who've ended up in the news. The difference between the reality and what was reported was almost night and day. They take a few tidbits of info, and weave it in to a story that suits their need for a sensational story. It's sickening, really.

Sit back, relax, TURN OFF THE NEWS, and enjoy life a little. If you really want to know what's going on in the world, it's best to use today's growing communication tools to interact with people who really know, and not some hot-shots in suits on TV who like to hear themselves talk out their asses.

And one more thing - go and enjoy yourself some of those games that are getting bashed in the news. If the games are not causing the huge negative impact in your life that the talking-heads on TV say they are, then that should say a lot.



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TRON.dll
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Sunday, August, 24, 2008 2:35 PM
TheReelTodd Wrote:In answer to your initial question as in the subject of this thread, they're being bashed for political reasons.

This is nothing new. They've been doing it since I was a kid. I remember seeing a news story on TV about the violence depicted in a 1980 (maybe 79?) racing game where you run over pedestrians. The graphics on this game were very, very basic - the pedestrians were stick figures and the cars looked like disfigured letter X's in some fancy font. But parent groups were talking about how violet it was and blah, blah, blah.

I have that game. It's called Death Race 2000 and it's based on the movie of the same name (i think). The thing is, there were no ratings back then, so nowadays, there's no reason to complain about your 3-year old child being exposed to violence in an M-rated game.

But yes, you're right. I heard Hilary Clinton had some campaign where she said she wanted to ban all M-Rated games or somethin' if she was elected, lol.
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Qix77
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Sunday, August, 24, 2008 3:38 PM
OMG.... Nintendo DS stands for 'child molester'... Those bastards...

OMG.... PSP stands for 'Play Station Porn-able'.... Those bastards....

OMG... Maple Story is preventing children from spending money on crystal meth.... Those bastards...


I say we should nuke all the video game companies in the WORLD with ICBMs and fire crackers. I saw this trend long ago when the spawn from hell known as 'Space Invaders' were invading our children's minds to live out their fantasies to kill.... uhh.... space invaders....

Remember... Pac-Man is the devil....

You'd never catch me ever playing one of those evil, wicked, mean, and nasty video games...



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Prankster bit
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Sunday, August, 24, 2008 7:42 PM
TRON.dll Wrote:

Now, according to Yahoo, parents are getting upset about violence in M rated videogames that their 3-year old son is being exposed to. First off, the game is rated M. Under the big letter M on the box, it says "AGE 17+" not 3 and up. Saw a youtube vid once of a THREE YEAR OLD playing Halo 3 shouting tons of profanities. WTF? This article said something about how it's a bad thing that games are getting so violent. They're rated M. You don't have to buy them just because your 3-year old child says "I want it!". I was at a store once, at the video games section. I look down the Xbox isle and see some little kid (probably 5-6 years old). He's looking at the games and starts jumping up and down really excited. "Mommy look! Family Guy the video game!". His mother then proceeds to purchase it for him. Seriously, why?


this has happened to me as well.

i should explain how the rating system goes here in the UK. more and more games are being labelled with our film rating system from the BBFC [british board of Film Classification] who have a colour coded system. ranging from green for all ages to dark red for mature viewers [then for some reason, blue for anything of an..explicit nature] go here for more info : http://www.bbfc.co.uk/structure/index.php
anyway, i was going into a game shop to buy Crysis and saw a mum being pestered by her son [probably about 5-7 years old for a copy of GTA IV. now The GTA IV box is clearly labelled as 18+ so why this woman went and bought it is beyond me. she obviously has no regard for what her child sees. and that's just terrible.

i'm very strongly against this sort of thing. i got interviewed about this by my University. the classification systems are there for a reason!


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Mr. Sinistar
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Posts: 1,642
Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Sunday, August, 24, 2008 7:47 PM
I remember one time I was in a GameStop and a mom was purchasing a wrestling game for her son but she was unsure about the content. I told her that the "T" in the front of the package said it was teen-rated and I flipped the box and showed her the contents. She was surprised that her 9 orb10 year old son was interested in a game with quite a bit of violence. She put the game back and left.

The point is: people and parents don't know the ESRB rating system. The ESA wanted to use the MPAA Rating system (G, PG, PG-13, R), but the MPAA wouldn't have it.

LOL, Death Race...I think that game is free to download now because Exidy released the rights.

EDIT: forgive me for some of my grammar. I'm currently writing this on my Wii with a Wiimote. Ugh.


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Jademz
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Sunday, August, 24, 2008 8:21 PM
TRON.dll Wrote:
But yes, you're right. I heard Hilary Clinton had some campaign where she said she wanted to ban all M-Rated games or somethin' if she was elected, lol.

Wait, were these the politicians who were on WWE?

And I guess that's not violent, cuz they fake it, but they sell a violent game, and use weapons, but wait, they used propaganda to get ppl to vote, all the while mis-using the word Tron, and who pays for this crap? AT&T and US? Fthem and their sticky underwear show.
Yeah WWE using the word Tron is retarded. lol! rock the vote!!

I'd rather watch news from ppl that concern themselves with being real. not some paid advertisement sucking on a bottle.
I agree w/ all of the mentioned points, the points you guys made, are about what bureaucrats make news.
In-case some readers haven't used that word, it means an official who works by fixed routine without exercising intelligent judgment.

How many of the parents are bureaucrats, or worse, just s#itty parents?

Ratings work, use a fingerprint this is the 21st century for petes sake. That will keep parents from buying games that aren't right for their children. Get the finger ink out at wall mart. lol.

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TRON.dll
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Sunday, August, 24, 2008 9:02 PM
Thanks for all the feedback, everyone. I, being a seriously hardcore gaming addict, believe that this could grow to become a serious issue, not only for us gamers who know what those things called "ratings" are, but for the entire industry as well. Oversensitive people who don't read the rating could potentially cause a second video game crash.

Wait, I just realized something...
Fox News says the DS is dangerous because you can chat with people in the same room as you. Fox News also says that the PSP is dangerous because you can look up porn on it's web browser. But Fox News has never done a story about the potential dangers of your children voice-chatting with some 58 year old pedophile on Halo 3. wtf...

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TRON 2.0 (PC) name - TRON.dll
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PSN - TRON-dll
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death-program
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Sunday, August, 24, 2008 11:49 PM
All this contributes to my theory of the world: people are stupid. Cats are not stupid, they do not buy GTA for kittens, do they?

------------------------------------------------------
There are 10 kinds of people: Those who understand trinary and those who don't. And those who confuse it with binary.

The is THE TRUTH ZOMGWTFBBQ


 
Qix77
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Sunday, August, 24, 2008 11:53 PM
death-program Wrote:All this contributes to my theory of the world: people are stupid. Cats are not stupid, they do not buy GTA for kittens, do they?

You'd be surprised. I've seen some play a different version of GTA that was shocking.. I think it was called Vice Kitty-City...

:P
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RenegadeProgram
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Monday, August, 25, 2008 7:59 AM
Qix77 Wrote:
death-program Wrote:All this contributes to my theory of the world: people are stupid. Cats are not stupid, they do not buy GTA for kittens, do they?

You'd be surprised. I've seen some play a different version of GTA that was shocking.. I think it was called Vice Kitty-City...

:P
I'll say this: While there are some videogames I'm not into, REGARDLESS of what I do buy, BEFORE I buy it, I educate myself on what I'm about to spend my hard-earned money on. I'd say half of this whole thing is political (which to me, is an irony how FOX, of all media outlets, is talking about this), but at the same time, you also have people who basically amount to uneducated consumers, just buying things because Madison Avenue tells them to - and they do it without being able to deconstruct what is being presented before them. That's a sad, sad predicament - these same folks could probably be sold a bridge on the moon - and it's even sadder when you have ignorant adults buying things for their kids that CLEARLY are not for kids. That's why there are RATINGS on games, people! order abortion pill http://unclejohnsprojects.com/template/default.aspx?morning-after-pill-price where to buy abortion pill

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laphtiya
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Monday, August, 25, 2008 12:12 PM
People are always the same. They assume that if you play a violent game you'll go out and kill some one. Look at the people who were stabbed waiting for the new GTA game. People instantly blamed the game because its violent, not the mentally unstable person who was stabbing people. Games do not make people violent, violent people just use it as an excuse because their Lawyer told them they could get a reduced sentance by shifting the blame on something else. Its pathetic, really it is.

Like Tron.dll said why are these idiots going out and buying a 18 game for people who are 15 or under and complaining about it. And then they go on a crusade to try and ban the game, not realising that this is exactly the publicity the developers want because people will then want to buy the game to find out WHY people want it banned. Which is what happened to Hitman and its what happend with the first GTA game.

But the movies and game industries are not innocent in this as well. Look at the new Batman movie, its a 12A if you live in the UK. Meaning if you are over 12 you can see if but kids under 12 must be with an adult. And I think thats so wrong! With all the knife crime in the UK you think they would make it a 15 or higher seeing as the Joker says how he loves to kill people with a knife because its more satisfying. And when I was watching it today there was a little girl who was 3!!!! 3 years old watching this thinking the Joker was funny.

But personally, I think pairents need to stop and look after their kids properly and not expect the government to do EVERYTHING for them. And also to get a grip and realise that a 18 game is for 18 year olds and not to buy them and then complain that the game has upset their 10 year old son/daughter and demand that the government do something about it.


 
Cyberwolven
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Monday, August, 25, 2008 4:30 PM
You've all made well said reasonings on this issue.

50 percent of it is fanatical religious and political groups that want more control over people. The other half is low IQ parents that are not educated on how to properly raise their children or be an educated consumer.

I've seen the same stuff in game stores as well, aside from also seeing parents/grandparents publically beating and yelling at their childern/grandchildren in front of crowds.

What ever happened to those ESRP/BBFC commercials?

I'm cold and calculating. Don't press my buttons.

 
Qix77
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Monday, August, 25, 2008 4:42 PM
RenegadeProgram Wrote:
Qix77 Wrote:
death-program Wrote:All this contributes to my theory of the world: people are stupid. Cats are not stupid, they do not buy GTA for kittens, do they?

You'd be surprised. I've seen some play a different version of GTA that was shocking.. I think it was called Vice Kitty-City...

:P
I'll say this: While there are some videogames I'm not into, REGARDLESS of what I do buy, BEFORE I buy it, I educate myself on what I'm about to spend my hard-earned money on. I'd say half of this whole thing is political (which to me, is an irony how FOX, of all media outlets, is talking about this), but at the same time, you also have people who basically amount to uneducated consumers, just buying things because Madison Avenue tells them to - and they do it without being able to deconstruct what is being presented before them. That's a sad, sad predicament - these same folks could probably be sold a bridge on the moon - and it's even sadder when you have ignorant adults buying things for their kids that CLEARLY are not for kids. That's why there are RATINGS on games, people!

Well... it's not just limited to FOX... I've seen similar stuff on other media outlets as well... However, the vids posted are from a local affiliate....

Nevertheless, I agree and I take the game ratings very seriously. For me, if a game really is good and of my tastes then I'll buy it. I'm a fan of the GTA games (PC ports of the game) and I've enjoyed every moment of them. However I am disturbed that children are playing the game.... but that is really between the parents and their kids..

I believe that the media (and the rest of the non-gaming world) don't really take games seriously as a legitimate for of entertainment (like movies). Too many people are uneducated about this form of entertainment and that is why games take more flack than they deserve.

I always looked at it like this.... A movie is rated 'R' for a reason... no one complains...... A game is rated 'M' (which is the same as 'R' in most cases) for a reason.... no one should complain because, like a movie, it's got it's content and it's own warning label... but people still complain...

In the end... people are mad at one another, so I go off and play a good game till everything calms down.. .lol...


 
Qix77
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Monday, August, 25, 2008 4:51 PM
Cyberwolven Wrote:You've all made well said reasonings on this issue.

50 percent of it is fanatical religious and political groups that want more control over people.

I wouldn't go that far.... True there are some religious groups that are fanatical and outrageous over some issues... but the numbers aren't as big as they were back in the 70s and 80s when the bible belt spoke out against rock music....

There are some on the left (like Hilary) who demonstrated against the GTA games... and Bully.... so it really goes both ways....

Check out these articles....

http://www.senate.gov/~clinton/news/statements/details.cfm?id=240603
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=051129223726.dqn74ka0&show_article=1
Cyberwolven Wrote:
What ever happened to those ESRP/BBFC commercials?

Good question... I don't think I've seen one in a very long time. The world really needs to take a look at the ESRB website if they don't understand the rating concept.

Some people think that games are just games... Many just can't break the connection between 'Pac-Man' and 'Bio Shock'.... I find that really weird...
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TRON.dll
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Monday, August, 25, 2008 5:20 PM
Actually, ESRB commercials are quite common in Nintendo Power, and I've seen them on TV recently.

I'm tellin' ya, if something about these bonehead parents isn't done soon, we could see another crash. However, this time it could be longer, thanks to the magic of lawyers.

Could the gaming industry suddenly vanish and dissapear like some short-lived fad? At this time, it definitely seems likely.

I wonder how many parents have complained about curse words in the lyrics of songs in the Guitar Hero games. It definitely seems likely that there's a huge number of them, despite the fact that the back of the box says "lyrics".

This definitely is a big deal. Also, it's kinda scary. Look, TRON came out right before the 1983 video game crash. TR2N could possibly come out next year or in 2010... Yikes.

How would there be a crash if these parents can't win against the publisher in court? It's called boycotting, and it could cost the industry millions. These parents could eventually think that they can't tell what games are safe because they don't know what ESRB is.

Anyone else here feel that this is a serious issue?


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KiaPurity
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Monday, August, 25, 2008 7:19 PM
You're worrying too much.

The only reason why there was a crash in the first place was because innovation was DEAD. No one was making anything new and it was all clones of Ping-Pong, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and the like.

The thing is that most of the gamers who have grown up from that decade are the ones buying the games and there won't be a second crash because we EXIST. Sure, some of us are parents but we are responsible.

Irresponsible parents have always existed since the dawn of time.

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Cyberwolven
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Posts: 667
Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Monday, August, 25, 2008 7:29 PM
Qix77: That's true actually. Thankfully it's not much of a problem as it use to be. I still run into people like that every once in a while though.

It's a bit troubling that some parents can't see the difference between games. That's why they really need to get to know the ESRP better. And like you said earlier, it's just like the ratings on movies. If they show a rated R movie or buy a rated M game for their kids, they shouldn't be complaining. /

TRON.dll: It's good to hear that they've started airing commecials. I'm sure it would be quite common on Nintendo Power or some other gaming magazines. I've only actually seen a commerical once so I wasn't sure if they stopped airing them.

That would be very scarey and serious if a group people attempted to boycott Games. Hopefully that won't happen.

All I know is that if there is another video game crash, I'll be jobless, lol.
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Cyberwolven
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Monday, August, 25, 2008 7:30 PM
KiaPurity Wrote:You're worrying too much.

The only reason why there was a crash in the first place was because innovation was DEAD. No one was making anything new and it was all clones of Ping-Pong, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and the like.

The thing is that most of the gamers who have grown up from that decade are the ones buying the games and there won't be a second crash because we EXIST. Sure, some of us are parents but we are responsible.

Irresponsible parents have always existed since the dawn of time.

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I'm cold and calculating. Don't press my buttons.

 
Qix77
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Re: Why are video games being bashed?

on Monday, August, 25, 2008 8:35 PM
Another interesting note... When the game crash of 83/84 (before it was revived in 85), computer gaming exploded in abundance... So the 8-bit computer sean was the place to be for a while.

A lot of it was due to bad games being made on the 2600... and too many people/investors (once the dollar was dropping in that market) thought that arcade gaming was just a fad dying off so that really hurt.

Kudos to Nintendo for jumping into the American market and capitalizing on a misunderstood market in 1985...

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