Comments on: The Games Game

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Sun, 05 Jun 2005 18:36:12 +0000

ye what ever…

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Sun, 05 Jun 2005 12:08:32 +0000

Read the article again. The 10yr old WAS playing!

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Sun, 05 Jun 2005 05:56:27 +0000

read the post 2 up about suspension of reality being part of all games, TV and the rest of entertainment, I think it addresses your post quite well.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Sun, 05 Jun 2005 03:32:18 +0000

First of all, the 10 year old was not playing. But here was the original question ….. “He asked why the games were so violent and unrealistic”
Violent BUT unrealistic should be the key phrase. The players want a game that they can realistically beat, but gamers want more voilence in the games.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Sun, 05 Jun 2005 01:35:23 +0000

They police themselves and rate the games to make the parents feel good. Politicians can say they supported legislation that protects our children, everyone applaudes as to why this is such a great thing. Parents feel the government and inustry are trying to protect their babys from the harshness of life. kids still go out and play what they want. everyones happy.

We had a friend who never subscribed to cable (too much violence and sex) and would only let their children watch Disney type films. My kids watched things like James Bond, Die Hard etc… as well as Disney (which is a terrible role model as far as companies go) and I see little difference in their view of life and reality. Ultimately let the parents decide and keep the government out of it.

Rick

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Sat, 04 Jun 2005 22:51:03 +0000

I mean really, video games are supposed to be a suspension of reality, an escape, an exercise of hand-eye coordination or maybe, just maybe a fun distraction. Cripes even simulation games are out of touch with reality, be it historical or physics or what have you.

This articles opinion could be extrapolated onto almost anything, hmmm lets see…old-school board games for instance. I don’t usually see giant thimbles or walking tophats on park avenue purchasing massive amounts of real estate, do you? If so, please give me some of what you’re smoking ‘cuz it sounds like it kicks ass. You could even go so far as saying that reality TV shows have nothing to do with reality per say and are nothing more than escapism from the usual drudgery of everyday life etc…just as vids are supposed to be.

Now on the point of mindless violence, don’t let your 8 year old play the bloody game if you feel it’s inappropriate for that age. However that being said, I think there is something inherently wrong with the video game industry policing themselves on appropriate content for minors. But thats a slippery slope allowing governement regulation into more of our lives.

The point is that these things shouldn’t be molding our lives or our childrens lives, that’s the parents, teachers etc jobs. There’s been a lot of criticism over the last couple of decades on how children spent too much time watching TV – which is rife with mindless violence and suspension of reality – however, if anything it’s only gotten worse on those fronts recently, but there is more awareness that there should be a balance struck between watching TV and other aspects of a childs youth, ie sports, education, reading etc. It’s all about balance and finding your own and one for your children, not censoring or regulating for the masses.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Sat, 04 Jun 2005 22:26:09 +0000

It’s probably posted to provoke a bit of a debate.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Sat, 04 Jun 2005 22:21:47 +0000

I don’t understand the point of this article. It explains the basics of the majority of video games sure, but the same kind of breakdown can be applied for example to any Hollywood film. But to simplify a whole genre like this is mis-informed short-sighted to say the least.

The point of video games is escapism. To do things you cant in real life- drive fast, save the hostages, explore amazing worlds, kill the bad guys etc etc. And many games achieve this so impressively they verge on works of art.

My question is, why was the 10 yr old playing GTA:SA in the first place a 18 rated game (in the UK). Surely the father should have been asking “Why am I letting my child play this” rather than “What is the motivation for my child playing this”