Violence in Video Games Pt. 1

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3 2008

On November 20th, a letter was sent to the ESRB by four Senators, including, Hillary Clinton (Grumpy), Joe Lieberman (Sleepy), Evan Bayh (Dopey), and Sam Brownback (Sneezy).

In reference to the game, Manhunt 2 on the Nintendo Wii, the following was stated. "That system permits children to act out each of the many graphic torture scenes and murders in Manhunt 2 rather than simply manipulating a game pad," the senators wrote. "This led one clinical psychologist to state that the realistic motions used with the Wii mean that 'You're basically teaching a child the behavioral sequencing of killing.' While this was not cited as the reason for the BBFC decision, we do believe that the ESRB should take the Wii Remote controller, and future advances in game controllers, which create more realistic gaming environments, into consideration." - Provided by Gamespot

I wonder which of these politicians walked in on his or her daughter playing this game, which was bought by them, and said alloud, in their best Janine Melnitz voice from Ghostbusters, "We've got one!"

First of all the game is rated M, meaning MATURE. Children should not be playing this game. A game that features an M is for young adults, ages 17 and up. The parent who buys this game for there child is probably the same that I see on the road every day. Kids crawling all over the inside of a vehicle built for military service. Second, realize what you are saying. Video games are teaching kids how to kill. Am I the only one that thinks this is a crazy. The brain activity of someone who kills because of a video game needs serious psychiatric attention. There is something else back there in little Johnny's head that is making him a complete nut case. If video games are banned and all violence stops then I will take back what I've said. This whole debate is exactly the same as the idiot who sued McDonald's because their food made them fat or had no idea that coffee is hot.

I'll bet that if the Wii Remote is ever used to take a life, other than that of a pixel based bad guy, it will be a 12 year old strangling his friend to death because he accused his friend of cheating during a round of Mario Party 8. To say that Manhunt 2 is teaching kids how to kill another human being is ridiculous. So let me get this straight, a person will only know the motion by which killing a person is possible by performing it rather than just seeing it. Does this mean that a disturbed teen that commits suicide learned this by cutting vegetables for a salad. If you are a parent and you watch the news in the morning while your son or daughter sits next to you eating cereal, then they have seen more death and destruction then their little minds can take. Parents will say that they cannot control what their child does at a friends house or opium den, where ever the kids hang out these days. If your child's friend has responsible parents, then talk to them. Be involved in your children's lives, if not for their sake, for mine. The more the government gets involved, the more games are going to suck.

In other news, the New York based PR firm, Hill & Knowlton released a survey done earlier this summer to act as a proposal intended to win favor with the ESA (Electronic Software Association). The survey showed that 60% of adults think that the government should regulate video games when it comes to content. A statement by the ESA expresses their stance very directly, saying "Hill & Knowlton's decision to release these findings was both unprofessional and unethical and its timing is questionable." The ESA also stated that only a portion of the findings were published thus painting an inaccurate picture of the issue as a whole.

For the whole statement, go to http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/esa-hill--knowlton-unprofessional-and-unethical/18756/

Nice work Hill & Knowlton, who knows how much time and effort you put into your in-depth study. Now it is basically worthless.

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