Another week, and another controversy stirred up by adult videogame content being taken the wrong way and completely out of context by a well-meaning group of social activists.
This week, Eidos Interactive’s gangland shooter 25 To Life is stirring up the controversy custard, with America’s National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund protesting that the game promotes anti-police violence, and therefore should not be available at retail.
The NLEOMF is a nonprofit organisation representing the nation's 15 largest law enforcement organisations, established in 1984 to generate increased public support for the law enforcement profession and to provide information that will help promote law enforcement safety.
The group, according to its website, has taken it upon itself to mount “...a vigorous campaign to discourage parents and caregivers from purchasing or allowing children access to the 25 to Life video game”.
There is, of course, no question that the game should not be sold to children, as the content involves players role-playing both as gun-packing gangbangers and as police officers, with players having the option of using civilians as human shields. So SPOnG is in agreement with the NLEOMF on this first point – 25 to Life is clearly only suitable for adults.
However, SPOnG is not in agreement with the next point made by the NLEOMF, when they go on from calling for the game to not be sold to minors, and skilfully move on to “...calling for all retail outlets to act responsibly and not stock this item”.
"It is absolutely unconscionable that game makers are enabling young people — or anyone — to dramatise shooting and killing as a form of entertainment while officers and innocent people are dying in real-life on our streets every day," said NLEOMF Chairman Craig W. Floyd. "We're encouraging parents, caregivers and everyone who is concerned about both law enforcement officers and children to ensure this game never makes it into the homes or hands of impressionable young people."
After pointing out the number of officers killed over the last few years by minors, Mr Floyd added: "Any type of media that glorifies violence against law enforcement or civilians should be scrutinised very carefully."
Well yes, of course it should. It should be scrutinised closely by the parents who are buying the said videogame - or DVD movie, or book, or music CD for that matter - not banned from retail outlets where socially responsible adults might well want to purchase it for use as entertainment - no more, no less.
SPOnG is of the opinion this is another clear case of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. To call for a ban on all violent videogames, going by the above NLEOMF logic, must also logically lead to a ban on all media, which includes violent or adult content, which is patently ridiculous.
SPOnG will pursue this matter with Eidos, and see what they have to say about the issue as soon as we can get hold of a spokesman.
This week, Eidos Interactive’s gangland shooter 25 To Life is stirring up the controversy custard, with America’s National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund protesting that the game promotes anti-police violence, and therefore should not be available at retail.
The NLEOMF is a nonprofit organisation representing the nation's 15 largest law enforcement organisations, established in 1984 to generate increased public support for the law enforcement profession and to provide information that will help promote law enforcement safety.
The group, according to its website, has taken it upon itself to mount “...a vigorous campaign to discourage parents and caregivers from purchasing or allowing children access to the 25 to Life video game”.
There is, of course, no question that the game should not be sold to children, as the content involves players role-playing both as gun-packing gangbangers and as police officers, with players having the option of using civilians as human shields. So SPOnG is in agreement with the NLEOMF on this first point – 25 to Life is clearly only suitable for adults.
However, SPOnG is not in agreement with the next point made by the NLEOMF, when they go on from calling for the game to not be sold to minors, and skilfully move on to “...calling for all retail outlets to act responsibly and not stock this item”.
"It is absolutely unconscionable that game makers are enabling young people — or anyone — to dramatise shooting and killing as a form of entertainment while officers and innocent people are dying in real-life on our streets every day," said NLEOMF Chairman Craig W. Floyd. "We're encouraging parents, caregivers and everyone who is concerned about both law enforcement officers and children to ensure this game never makes it into the homes or hands of impressionable young people."
After pointing out the number of officers killed over the last few years by minors, Mr Floyd added: "Any type of media that glorifies violence against law enforcement or civilians should be scrutinised very carefully."
Well yes, of course it should. It should be scrutinised closely by the parents who are buying the said videogame - or DVD movie, or book, or music CD for that matter - not banned from retail outlets where socially responsible adults might well want to purchase it for use as entertainment - no more, no less.
SPOnG is of the opinion this is another clear case of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. To call for a ban on all violent videogames, going by the above NLEOMF logic, must also logically lead to a ban on all media, which includes violent or adult content, which is patently ridiculous.
SPOnG will pursue this matter with Eidos, and see what they have to say about the issue as soon as we can get hold of a spokesman.
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Comments
tg0006 24 Jan 2006 13:20
1/10
One thing ive always wondered, howcome they only target games like Grand Theft Auto, True Crime, and 25 to Life? Why dont they target Halo and God of War? Just kidding, i think these people are people who like to complain about video games when smokeing (no offence to smokers, just the under aged ones), drunk driveing, and heart desease are killing hundreds more? They could put thair porly spent money to help research heart disease and cancer, and to campaign against drunk driveing.
ann0uk 24 Jan 2006 13:28
2/10
Porly = Poorly
Driveing = Driving
Smokeing = Smoking
Thair = Their
These are not the IGN Boards.
Driveing = Driving
Smokeing = Smoking
Thair = Their
These are not the IGN Boards.
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DoctorDee 24 Jan 2006 14:20
3/10
Why are these concerned individuals (well organised militia, whatever) not taking on the movie industry?
They say "It is absolutely unconscionable that game makers are enabling young people — or anyone — to dramatise shooting and killing as a form of entertainment".
Correct me if I'm wrong*, but I think Hollywood does that all the time...
This is not an invitation correct me. I am not wrong.
They say "It is absolutely unconscionable that game makers are enabling young people — or anyone — to dramatise shooting and killing as a form of entertainment".
Correct me if I'm wrong*, but I think Hollywood does that all the time...
This is not an invitation correct me. I am not wrong.
thane_jaw 24 Jan 2006 15:24
4/10
I think they should ban this game on the principle that's its a big stinky pile of poo. If anything this sensationalist over-reporting of "urban" crap games encourages people to buy it, especially the children. If only they did this with just GTA, then everyone else'd give up, leave Rockstar to it and we would only have to put up with crap once every couple of years. (btw there's a new C.S.I Miami show about GTA style computer games and the evil they cause. I think the best moment must be when they discover the evil ringleader at his computer, with 3 pints of urine next to him - "You mean he played himself *eyebrow raised* to DEATH!")
Apart from that aside I agree whole-heartedy with Spong on this. We've seen the backlash against sex in the states, maybe now we've got the backlash against guns and violence coming.
Just kidding.
Apart from that aside I agree whole-heartedy with Spong on this. We've seen the backlash against sex in the states, maybe now we've got the backlash against guns and violence coming.
Just kidding.
Joji 24 Jan 2006 20:54
5/10
Damn stupid yanks. If paranoia was a sports thye'd no doubt take the trophy.
Games don't kill people, guns do though
Police are okay but to say that you can only play as them and no not get shot is just silly.
What if hollywood took the same approach just to appease the stupids, films like Robocop would end in the first 15-20 mins. A censored banner would appear and spoil everyones fun. Clearly once again average folk aren't taking games seriously as entertainment..
Get used to it yanks. Police have a hard job, carry guns and in some cases yes they die in the line of duty, but no more or less than a soldier doing his or her tour of duty.
How quickly middle america have forgotten the Rodney King incident, a most significant piece of film that shows in spades that there are good cops and bad cops, same way there's good and bad in everything in life. I also believe there was another cop beating civilian incident filmed in New Orleans shortly after the recent hurricane. Things like this make you question them and anyone in authority.
Respect is a two way street. When we all respect each other, the first bricks of Utopia will be built.. That is a very lofty dream in a very far away place though, people.
So continue playing your games people. Cop or gangbanger, which ever you choose in the select screen, do so with a clear or full mind. There are plenty of other cop games anyways.
Games don't kill people, guns do though
Police are okay but to say that you can only play as them and no not get shot is just silly.
What if hollywood took the same approach just to appease the stupids, films like Robocop would end in the first 15-20 mins. A censored banner would appear and spoil everyones fun. Clearly once again average folk aren't taking games seriously as entertainment..
Get used to it yanks. Police have a hard job, carry guns and in some cases yes they die in the line of duty, but no more or less than a soldier doing his or her tour of duty.
How quickly middle america have forgotten the Rodney King incident, a most significant piece of film that shows in spades that there are good cops and bad cops, same way there's good and bad in everything in life. I also believe there was another cop beating civilian incident filmed in New Orleans shortly after the recent hurricane. Things like this make you question them and anyone in authority.
Respect is a two way street. When we all respect each other, the first bricks of Utopia will be built.. That is a very lofty dream in a very far away place though, people.
So continue playing your games people. Cop or gangbanger, which ever you choose in the select screen, do so with a clear or full mind. There are plenty of other cop games anyways.
realvictory 24 Jan 2006 23:15
6/10
Joji wrote:
Games don't kill people, guns do
Yes. People are being killed in real life. They should focus their efforts on banning this sort of thing in real life.
Secondly, I almost guarantee that most people who get excited about this type of game are idiots. How about banning idiots from buying rubbish games, then world would be a better place!
Lastly, and most importantly:
You know you agree with me!
tg0006 25 Jan 2006 03:28
7/10
Im sorry for my bad grammar, but i also use the ign boards. also, i dont think it was necessisary (i probably misspelled that too) to do a post deticated to bashing my grammar. But more to the point, over the last year or so, i noticed it getting harder to buy "mature" Games. Last year i could just walk into a store and buy it with no problems, but now they are carding me for "teen" rated games. seriously, its easyer to get into an R rated movie and to buy smokes (i have the job where i go around stations seeing if they card me or not, and you would be supprised) than it is to get a game. I have known since i was 7 that games were just games and that i cant really do that, i mean after i play resident evil, i have no real desire to go and blow a zombies head off, or after playing manhunt, i dont want to brutally murder someone, after i play Grand Theft Auto, i dont want to steal a fast sports car, pick up a hooker, kill a cop, or lead the cops on an hour long chase followed by a 30 minute shoot out while takeing out triads to gane more turf. that ones a bit too spacific, but i still dont want to do that.
sue_raas 25 Jan 2006 14:02
8/10
tg0006 wrote:
i have no real desire to go and blow a zombies head off
You know tg, i kind of like your style! Does tg stand for Throbbing Gristle by any chance?
thane_jaw 25 Jan 2006 14:07
9/10
tg0006 wrote:
But more to the point, over the last year or so, i noticed it getting harder to buy "mature" Games. Last year i could just walk into a store and buy it with no problems, but now they are carding me for "teen" rated games.
You neglect to mention how old you are. If you're under the age limit for the game then you should get carded. In the same way I used to be able to drink easily underage in the U.K., but a few years later a massive campaign to stop underage drinking meant my younger sister (at a similar age)got asked for I.D. everywhere. Just because you could do it before, doesn't mean you should be able to do it now.
You not wanting to murder kids or rape anyone after playing GTA isn't the issue. What it is, or claims to be, is the affect of being exposed to second hand violence (in this I mean violence you're not directly involved in yourself) through the medium of films, tv, video games, gangsta rap whatever. Unfortunately there is no conclusive answer and like most research, what studies have been conducted tend to have a specific bent at the start, kinda nullifying anything reported.
tg0006 wrote:
after i play Grand Theft Auto, i dont want to steal a fast sports car, pick up a hooker, kill a cop, or lead the cops on an hour long chase followed by a 30 minute shoot out while takeing out triads to gane more turf. that ones a bit too spacific, but i still dont want to do that.
Despite your claim that you know games are just games, the next time you play GTA or Halo or whatever, notice how your heartbeat rises. These images/ sounds are having an affect on you despite what you consciously know is going on. Your body is trying to release adrenaline with no physical reason to do it. That's why young kids get hyped on playing games and its so hard to get them to bed. By linking this release of adrenaline/ anxiety with cops or cars in video games, we subconsciously link it in real life. I've never wanted to brutally kill someone, but after me and my mate played GTA for 7 hours, we went outside for pizza. Walking down the street we were both really twitchy and subconsciously eyeing up cars. We talked about it to other people and it was quite common. I don't think I'd ever carry something like that through but the thought is in my head now - its just assumed that because I'm over 18 I'll be able to deal with that more sensibly then a rebellious teenager whose body is raging with hormones (to overgeneralize only mildly).
There may be people who are mature enough to play them pre-18 or whatever the rating. As stated anywhere and everywhere by sensible people, it should be a parental issue and a lot of the parents need to be educated into giving a crap about their children lives.
OptimusP 25 Jan 2006 20:19
10/10
Personally, i'm not against the ban of this specific game...it's probably crap anyway...
That aside, banning in general is bad, it creates circuits of illegal commerce and others and it has been proven so many time that if you legalize something, that's not bad for the public health or immoral, the demand actualy drops! Don't believe me, Denmark had a Pornban once, and some party suggeste legalizing porn, offcourse a lot of debate if this wouldn't change Denmark into some kind of pornheaven... it didn't, pornsales where going down after the legalization...porn people! going down in sales!!
However, i don't see myself playing GTA or something for 7 hours, i find the gameplay to boring, but i agree that some teenager could relate those adrenline raises to objects in the game who also exist in real life...connect to that the f**ked up urban crap of these days and that's indeed a volatile cocktail. However i stand by my point that games, movies,books and music can only inspire someone HOW to do something (kill someone for example), not encouraging to DO that something. A mental problem is the cause of that motivation, not one of the entertainment mediums.
That aside, banning in general is bad, it creates circuits of illegal commerce and others and it has been proven so many time that if you legalize something, that's not bad for the public health or immoral, the demand actualy drops! Don't believe me, Denmark had a Pornban once, and some party suggeste legalizing porn, offcourse a lot of debate if this wouldn't change Denmark into some kind of pornheaven... it didn't, pornsales where going down after the legalization...porn people! going down in sales!!
However, i don't see myself playing GTA or something for 7 hours, i find the gameplay to boring, but i agree that some teenager could relate those adrenline raises to objects in the game who also exist in real life...connect to that the f**ked up urban crap of these days and that's indeed a volatile cocktail. However i stand by my point that games, movies,books and music can only inspire someone HOW to do something (kill someone for example), not encouraging to DO that something. A mental problem is the cause of that motivation, not one of the entertainment mediums.