But getting parents to approve the games isn't even any better, since the media has put such a scare on the parents that the only thing they're going to buy for their kids is Barbie's Play Magic Funhouse or something like that. I

don't think that some of the games currently rated "M" are so violent as to warp kid's fragile little minds. The only stuff that I can currently think of that should not be sold to minors is Manhunt, since from what I hear thats really twisted. Games like Max Payne 2 or Vice City, just let them buy it. I mean, if the kid is over 14 or something, and doesn't have a crazy look in his eye, just let the kids play. Don't they realize the huge hypocrisy in trying to limit violent video games while promoting violence (as long as its labeled "peacekeeping") in almost every form of media.

Its great that I'm in Canada, where politicians still have some sort of rational thought left, and where these people can't infiringe upon my rights to buy video games.

Oh, the horror. I used QWER before that crap was even invented. WASD is like second worst to arrow keys

Same here - although for a couple of years I was playing ESDF thanks to Tribes2 Now back to playing that crap since I'm a left handed freak who's having trouble finding an alternate decent layout that really works for me in the main games I play.

Anyway back on topic -

Yee is also a child psychologist, and he said, it is time to “draw the line.”

One question oh enlightend right-winger Leland Yee: Can we use computers draw the line since we wouldn't be using them for gaming ?

"Leading the fight for original WASD gaming"

<i>step 3) optionally, in the case of a kid getting someone who is not their parent to buy the game for them, get a signature and a phone number or something..</i>

This isn't /. you know, no HTML

This isn't alcohol, or cigarettes... Does anyone really worry about some 8 year old playing a video game and when his parents tell him he has to go to bed he gets mad and grabs a gun and wants to keep playing?

Parents have to enforce the rules! Not retailers, not cops, PARENTS. If you have a kid and you tell him/her he can't play that game, GUESS WHAT, you'll have to watch him like a hawk, check his computer/xbox multiple times per day, sneak around his/her room while at school, eaves drop on him with his friends, meet his friends parents, find out if his friends have the game, monitor what he spends his money on, and that is just for starters! KIDS ARE SNEAKY LITTLE BASTARDS. I was!

And that makes it right, how? Parents need to do the legwork because if they don't their kids will grow up to be right little so and so's, as is happening more and more often these days.

This comment was edited on Nov 30, 17:40.

I fully agree that violent games should be rated and access to them restricted to those of a suitable age. I don't think kids should be playing violent games, as they de-sensitise them and give them an inaccurate picture of the world.

However, the reasoning is all wrong. Games do not teach people to stalk, maim, torture and kill. Sure, a lot of them involve killing, some involve stalking... but torture, maiming? Show me one game that involves torturing someone (actually Contract J.A.C.K. has a torture sequence but it's totally removed from reality) and teaches you how to torture someone...

As has been said earlier, games don't teach you anything of value in real word use. Shooting a gun in a game is nothing like shooting a gun in real life. The idea itself is just hilarious to be honest.

<I>step 3) optionally, in the case of a kid getting someone who is not their parent to buy the game for them, get a signature and a phone number or something..</I>

This isn't alcohol, or cigarettes... Does anyone really worry about some 8 year old playing a video game and when his parents tell him he has to go to bed he gets mad and grabs a gun and wants to keep playing?

Parents have to enforce the rules! Not retailers, not cops, PARENTS. If you have a kid and you tell him/her he can't play that game, GUESS WHAT, you'll have to watch him like a hawk, check his computer/xbox multiple times per day, sneak around his/her room while at school, eaves drop on him with his friends, meet his friends parents, find out if his friends have the game, monitor what he spends his money on, and that is just for starters! KIDS ARE SNEAKY LITTLE BASTARDS. I was!

Yes, did you even read the studies you posted? There is nothing more than a casual link between video games and violence!

We do not need any futher government interference. Become a parent and think for yourself. Reject more idiotic legislation based in someones ass.

Some types of violent crime has apparently diminished while other forms of it are on the rise (murder down, assault and rapes up). There is a very strong feeling that this due more to the fact that people really don't want any potentially expensive legal entanglements and are more likely to not deal with the authorities in the first place.

Violent media desensitizes people to violence. They're much more inclined to use violence to resolve conflict than not.

We've already heard from the peanut gallery, so let's go to the pro's. Here's a link to an APA article. Feel free to drill down and read as much clinical research on the subject as you like. You might just learn something.

http://www.apa.org/releases/videogames.html


"Physical reality is consistent with universal laws. Where the laws do not operate, there is no reality."
- Mr. Spock

this seems like a REALLY easy thing to fix.

step 1) do not allow retailers to sell games that have a rating higher than the age of the buyer. (its supposed to be like this already, but it still happens.)

step 2) if a parent is buying the game for the kid, TELL THEM ABOUT THE RATING! make sure they understand that they are buying a game with blood and violence and strong language or whatever, for their 8 yr old.

step 3) optionally, in the case of a kid getting someone who is not their parent to buy the game for them, get a signature and a phone number or something..

This is so true. Video games have made me so violent, in fact, if I ever see some horned pink daemon pop up I'm blowing his @$$ straight to hell, no questions asked. Before I started playing I would have probably run screaming but now that I'm properly trained I can take out all kinds of adversaries... provided there is a rocket launcher handy... and it's as simple as point and shoot...

To say these games train ppl at anything is hilarious. I'm very coordinated at using a mouse and keyboard but last time I checked that wasn't a very deadly skill...

On a serious note, the free Army: Spec OPS FPS is actually a frightningly realistic simulator. Everything shown on their from loading the weapon to clearing the breach is perfect. And the latest edition teaches first aid and basic life saving techniques. I sat through the medic training and was stunned to see how specific and detailed it was.

Show me one study that can provide anything more than a CASUAL relationship between violence and video games. Then I will retract my statement about Pee Pee Yee and his pile of urine legislation.

...kill him some dirty terrorist A-rabs.

I actually, for some sick reason, enjoyed doing this over and over again in Hitman 2.

It was just so funny.

damn QWER gamers...



How the hell do you play with QWER anyways?

I actually have a better idea. Why not ban all first person shooter games, EXCEPT those in which you play a brave American soldier, out to kill him some dirty terrorist A-rabs.

__

Its amazing that you can on hand try to ban PFS games, and on the other try to push 18 year old kids into the Army, brainwash them with fake partiotism and delusions of grandeur and send them to fight some war overseas.

So, according to them, when I'm 17 years old, I shouldn't be able to play a GAME in which I hold a gun. But, a year later, I should be able to OWN a gun. Pathetic.

"Leading the fight for original WASD gaming"

Oh, the horror.
I used QWER before that crap was even invented. WASD is like second worst to arrow keys.

on topic: I think 10year olds will quickly find some pr0n financed gambling sites with links to whatever warez they want. So much for censorship.



Red Orchestra http://www.unrealwarfarex.com/redorchestra/ Best. game. ever.

You'll pardon me if I don't take a right-wing news website at face value, particularly one that has a picture of Charlton Heston off to the left (ironic, no?).

If videogames made people violent, we would logically expect to see an increase in violent crime over the past, say, 10 years, right? Hate to break it to you, and I invite you to hit www.fbi.gov to see for yourself, but violent crime has actually DIMINISHED. So much for the murder training programs.

This comment was edited on Nov 30, 16:50.

Oh how original. Violent games = violent people. Never saw the connection there..sheesh.

Games don't make me violent but know-nothing pricks talking about a subject matter they don't understand (but fear) does

"Leading the fight for original WASD gaming"

I live in the SF Bay area, and i think we gotta put this into context. Just this past couple years, a group of teenagers, who were all big fans of GTA, went on a large spree where they murdered 5 people, held up dozens of people at gun point, and so forth.

http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/11/2/211043.shtml

Here's the only article i could find right away, but if you dig further you'll
find that the spree of theirs was pretty damn large in scale. Probably
the biggest thing like this in the country I bet.

Personally I love Day of Defeat, but I don't really think I need it to be
violent to enjoy it. maybe I"ve killed SO many people that i've gotten
bored of that aspect and just want to be challenged in tactical ways. heh heh

"Buying Violent Video Games"

I'm not a rocket scientist, buuut how can a VIDEO GAME be Violent?? There's probably a police report somewhere that says "Assault: By a Video Game"

Violent games reduce violent crime cause instead the adolescents are at home doing it virtually, instead of for real. So Duh that'll reduce violence. We need to make a distinction between real violence and fake violence.

Ahhh it must be another election year!! all these guys have to find something to yell and scream and get attention and MONEY about. Sure glad Im over 50.. instead of banning games lets ban war and real guns and bombs and nukes.. naaaa too much money being made.