Difference between revisions of "Video games"

Revision as of 05:53, May 26, 2011

A video game is any electronic game played on a computer or console. They vary greatly in type and complexity, but all games are alike in that they translate player input (from a controller, mouse, keyboard or motion sensor) into onscreen actions. Games are usually stored on some sort of digital media - ROM cartridge, CD, DVD, or even cassette tape for early computer games - though older or more inexpensive games may have dedicated chips which are pre-programmed to play certain games only. In recent years, game developers have moved to digital distribution, allowing anyone with a credit card or Paypal account to purchase games online.

Home consoles are classified by generation to indicate their relative power and date of release. The current major consoles (XBox360, PS3, Wii) are considered seventh generation. Handheld consoles are not generally put into generations due to their more irregular release schedules.

Though a popular form of entertainment in America, some video games (especially in modern years) may tend to promote a liberal worldview, and can cause sexual immorality, atheism, obesity, and violence^{[Citation Needed]} . Many video games (such as video game versions of Dungeons and Dragons) feature nudity and Satanic imagery.^[1] Several prominent murderers in recent years were inspired by video games^{[Citation Needed]}, for example ^[2].

Video games have also been shown to help people to become more attuned to their surroundings and increase coordination, and in the future may be used to treat people with visual problems and to train soldiers. ^[3]

Various genres

Video games in the course of their existence have grown from the simple arcade style games, and have become more detailed and separated from one another. Genres can now include first person shooters, racing, simulation, role-playing, sports, action and many others. Even then, games can combine genres, such as Mass Effect (Role Playing and Third Person Shooting), or not fit nicely into any genre, like Katamari Damacy.

Popularity & Controversy

Games have risen in popularity over the years, as is shown in the rise of video games sales from the 1980s until today. This has brought with it a various amount of controversy as the video game industry continues to grow with its original player base.

Video games are addictive activities targeted at teenagers^{[Citation Needed]}, sometimes with tragic results.^[4] Certain genres of games are becoming increasingly violent and offensive, attracting the attention of legislators in many states to protect the exploitation of children by them. Games such as Grand Theft Auto are very violent, sexually explicit, and feature criminal behavior. These games are rated "M 17+" for "Mature," but courts have stricken down laws preventing retailers from selling them to children, under an interpretation that the First Amendment protects offensive video games even for children.^[5] After a Conservapedian filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court to consider this issue, it surprised liberals by granting certiorari.

It has also been suggested that it is the role of parents to regulate what their children play, and that laws restricting video game vendors are an effort to replace parents' decisions with the government's decisions.^{[6] [7] [8]}

Violence

Most of the controversy comes from the rising trend toward violence in video games, as pioneered by Doom, Quake, and the Grand Theft Auto series.

Some people point out that violent video games cause violent behavior in some children. The effects of violent video games on the developing psyche of children and adolescents vary greatly and of course have much to do with the mental stability of the subject in question. Serious crimes have often been associated with video games. For example, a 14-year-old brutally murdered a video arcade employee one morning and his cousin stands trial for murdering the store manager when he entered the store shortly thereafter.^[9] In the USA, all retail games carry ratings from the ESRB, a video game ratings organization.

At least one study has shown that, contrary to the position mentioned above, kids who don't play video games at all seem to show more violent tendencies^{[Citation Needed]}. Of course, as expected, those who played violent video games for large amounts of time also showed violent tendencies, however the study claims that this is a "risk marker", not an actual cause. ^[10]

Multiple studies have shown a correlation between violent video games and levels of real life violence, caused by playing some of the aforementioned video games.^[11]

Sexuality

Although nudity is not prominent in western video games, there are various products containing sexually-suggestive material. One reason for the relative lack of explicitly sexual material in western games may be the refusal of retailers including Wal-Mart^[12] (the leading distributor of video games in the United States) and Toys R Us^[13] (the world's largest toy themed retailer) to sell games carrying an "Adults-Only" rating. One notable target of controversy is the Grand Theft Auto series after a third-party mod was released that allowed the player to engage in a mini-game containing explicit sexual material. Mods are, as "third-party" would imply, fan-made and are not the responsibility of the game's developer. Other sources of this criticism relate to the game Tomb Raider as it was one of the first games where a female character (the protagonist) is depicted and advertised as a sex symbol.^[14]

Video Games & Society

As video games become more popular, their impact on society becomes ever more present. A prime example of this is the massive ad campaigns for the Halo series, as well as Grand Theft Auto. Advertising, merchandising, and even social pressures have changed in the ever-growing influence of video gaming.

Due to their popularity, various corporations have begun placing advertisements for their products within the context of the game. Second Life, an Internet-based virtual world, has attempted to blur the lines between real-world and virtual world, and companies such as Adidas, Reebok, and Dell have set up virtual stores selling real-world products within the game. Reuters also operates a news bureau reporting news in the game.

Education in Video Games

While most popular video games are experiencing an increase in violence, language, and sexuality, other gamers and game developers are beginning to view video games as an educational opportunity. Firaxis Games, a noteworthy video game development company, has been creating a video game series called Civilization for nearly a decade. ^[15] Civilization is a simulation game that allows the player to lead a nation from ancient times to modern day. It features a dynamic military system, politics, trading, and historical content. It has been recognized for its unintentional educational properties. ^[16]

Microsoft Flight Simulator is another example of a video game being recognized for its unique educational properties. ^[17]

Faith in Video Games

Faith in Video Gaming has, as a rule, either led to the creation of new and dynamic antagonists, or video games that are mediocre, such as Spiritual Warfare and Bible Adventure for the Nintendo, or The Bible Game for various systems. Bible Adventure in particular is infamous for its poor design and playability.

The Bible, or other such religious texts, tell a story spanning many different viewpoints. Turning these ideas into a video game, however, most often leads to games that tend to bore most video game audiences.

Religion has, however, taken a prominent place amongst the various heroes and villains in video games. The Breath of Fire series and the Shin Megami Tensei games, in particular, use a god as a main antagonist in many of its incarnations. Other games to use religion in some way include the Final Fantasy series, Left Behind: Eternal Forces, Black and White, Heaven and Hell, Xenogears, Okami, and the Tales series, particularly Tales of Symphonia. Unfortunately, many (not all) of the aforementioned games present religion (or it's respective church and followers) as evil, fake, or having ulterior and nefarious motives. Virtually no video games present faith in an honest or positive manner, as few conservatives or Christians work for game companies, then again direct content.

Games may include a fictional religion as part of the setting if the use of a real religion may invite undesirable controversy.

Video game reviewers have sometimes unjustly attacked and reviewed games where real-world religion plays a notable role. One of the most prominent examples of this is the game Left Behind: Eternal Forces.^[18].

See Also

• Video game controversy
• Jack Thompson
• Video game industry

External Links

• What They Play - the parent's guide to video games
• Left Behind Games - a Christian, family friendly video game company

References

1. ↑ http://electexiles.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/4-reasons-video-games-are-not-worth-playing/
2. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-316491/Teenager-gets-life-Manhunt-murder.html
3. ↑ http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0528_030528_videogames.html
4. ↑ Some claim that 2/3rds of videogamers are over 18 years old, but far more people are over that age and a much higher percentage of minors are videogamers.Only a third of videogamers are under 18
5. ↑ http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/148962.html
6. ↑ http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/45083/
7. ↑ http://www.gameculture.com/2010/11/10/editorial-parental-responsibility-and-today039s-media
8. ↑ http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-ed-games28-2009feb28,0,1556900.story
9. ↑ http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1212467732102240.xml&coll=1
10. ↑ http://wii.qj.net/New-research-reveals-kids-who-don-t-play-videogames-at-all-are-more-at-risk-of-violent-tendencies/pg/49/aid/118505 New research reveals kids who don't play video games at all are more at risk of violent tendencies
11. ↑ http://www.apa.org/science/psa/sb-anderson.html
12. ↑ http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=440903
13. ↑ See Toys "R" Us's video games policy
14. ↑ Ashley, Robert. "The Secret History of Videogame Sex." Official Playstation Magazine Feb. 2006: 96-99.
15. ↑ http://www.firaxis.com/company/
16. ↑ http://www.firaxis.com/community/teacher.php
17. ↑ http://www.microsoft.com/Products/Games/FSInsider/product/Pages/InfoEducators.aspx
18. ↑ http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/left_behind