Let's Talk Video Games

Video games are a relatively new invention, only becoming big within about the last thirty years. So, like most changes, they have been resisted many many, and embraced by the younger generations. That resistance, and other social ideas have given video games a bit of a bad name. This has been changing a bit lately, but video games are still mostly looked upon as a low, foolish form of entertainment. Those who play too much “have no life” and are “nerds” and “losers”, but at the same time, now that most play games at least a bit, new players are mocked in game play. As with everything, moderation is needed, but I feel that video games have many wrong stereotypes and are not given the recognition they deserve as an incredible new medium for entertainment.

In the news, every day there are countless stories about robberies, muggings, arson, murders, and terrorism. If someone was inclined to commit crimes or violence, seeing these stories would show them crimes just as much as video games, and I believe being exposed to the ideas is what may get an unstable person to actually commit these crimes.

The first thing to address is the huge belief that violent video games cause real life violence and crime. People do not go watch a racing movie and suddenly decide to get into illegal street racing, and they don’t watch a sport movie and decide that they want to go play baseball or football. If they do these things it was because they already wanted to and were just reminded of them, or shown a new activity they hadn’t tried. So, why should video games work differently. If someone who has played violent video games is violent, they already had the inclination to do so. I feel that video games cause no more violence than any other form of entertainment or media. In the news, every day there are countless stories about robberies, muggings, arson, murders, and terrorism. If someone was inclined to commit crimes or violence, seeing these stories would show them crimes just as much as video games, and I believe being exposed to the ideas is what may get an unstable person to actually commit these crimes. People are exposed to crimes far more in everyday media than in video games. Video games are only a new medium of entertainment, like board games, books, movies, television, sports, and art.

Good video games can be like movies that make you more attached to the characters and story, while also giving you choices and control. Games almost always have a play time that is longer than any movie, so they are able to have far more character development and a more in depth plot than most movies, similar to TV shows. However, games still have a finite plot, so they don’t get too repetitive like some sitcoms can. Also, you control the characters, so when you think back on a game, it doesn’t feel like the characters did these things, it feels like you did. This is even more true when games have major choices that effect the ending of the game. All the choices and actions being made by you, the player, is what makes a game immeasurably more engrossing than most books, movies, or TV shows. One of my favorite game series, is the Metal Gear Solid series, and it uses very complicated plots, along with having the player make the actions required to continue the game, to really make the player feel. When the main character is betrayed, you feel betrayed. When he is forced to make a tough, but necessary decision, you feel that you made that choice.

Also, that series is know for “breaking the 4th wall”, where the game with directly mention the player, the game system and controller, or real events. Many things have the capability to do so, like movies based on real stories, or comic book characters that acknowledge being comic book characters, but it works very well in games to make parts of the plot unsure whether they actually happen, or if they are simulations within the game. These moments can sometimes get a little laugh from the player because they remember the things it mentions or are doing the actions it says they are. Alternately, they can make the actions of the game seem too real when they occur alongside actual events or actions, and create the chilling thought that the events of the game could occur.

If parents would only allow their children to play games appropriate for their age, or play the games beforehand and judge if their child can understand and handle them, then there would be far less controversy on video games.

Video games are a great escape from reality, but they can also contain important messages. People should accept video games as what they are, entertainment, and never actually try to reenact things from them. However, there are important lessons to be learned, and ideas to think about in games. Many people think that shooting games glorify war, yet the story of those games often shows that war is hell. While the player is safe in their house playing, sometimes the messages can be lost, but they are not designed to promote violence. Most games intend to make people think. When the age ratings are ignored, and 10 year olds play games designed for 18 year olds and higher, of course they won’t understand any of its messages. There are reasons for these ratings. If parents would only allow their children to play games appropriate for their age, or play the games beforehand and judge if their child can understand and handle them, then there would be far less controversy on video games. Also, about the jeers of “nerd” and “loser” to those who play games, they really have no reason. People who watch TV or movies often, or read many books aren’t mocked for it, they are allowed to enjoy their entertainment. People need to stop looking too far into video games, and judging others for enjoying them. They are only a form of entertainment. So sit back, grab a controller, and be entertained.