Being a new joeuser member, I'm not sure what people talk about. I'm guessing that these articles are unlike a blog because they talk about a specific subject instead of a "reality" type of writing. So... instead of not writting anything, I'm going to write about games and the affects they have had on children across the world.
I don't know how many people have seen the Grand Theft Auto titles in stores lately. These titles show the ability of gaming to go into the adult community with the intention of getting adult consumers. What you have in this situation is the classic Popeye the Sailor cartoon. Once, it was an adult cartoon with swearing at whatnot. Soon, children began to say the same words and do the same things. In light of these events, Popeye became a children's cartoon. Clearly this has not happened with the Grand Theft Auto series. Children flock to these games because they do things a person would not do in real life. They sell drugs and steal cars, kill mobsters and slowly take over the entire town. Although this game is meant to entertain, some parents and adults feel that these games have an adverse effect on the developing child's mind.
Knowing what these games are about and what the content is, it's not hard to see that these games may affect people in adverse ways. However, not all games follow this lead. I can guarantee that when a person plays Chutes and Ladders, they do not suddenly become obsessed with playground equipment. I can also say with confidence that when a person plays chess, they don't amazingly become obsessed with English royalties.
The question behind the premise is "What type of game creates conditions not favorable to the mental growth of a child?" And in reality, I don't think that you can gauge the answer without a serious study on human conditions and variables. People are different. Who's to say that such and such a game, if played, causes a kid to go to school and kill fellow students? Who's to say that such and such a game is not the cause of these actions?
I enjoy many types of games video and otherwise. One of them is called Magic: The Gathering. It is a collectible card game based around the fantasy genre where people cast spells and summon creatures to do battle. Games like this are fun and imaginative, and deal with a whole genre of fiction. The game is not evil in itself, and rather is a very positive experience for all involved. However, I've heard people say that games like this encourage witchcraft and devil worship. How can you place a large accusation like that against all the people that play the game? How can you accuse everyone who plays Grand Theft Auto for being drug dealer and child killer? It's obvious that making these blanket assumptions are foolish and generally lead to even greater prejudice and riddicule.
Human judgement, is obviously sometimes not adequate to discern the difference between a threat to a childs health and a harmless game. Should the gaming industry be blamed for the increase of adult type product, or is it just growing to fit the older gamer's needs? How can a person define what a game will do to the consumer? What should the guidlines be for these types of games? Is the rating system doing an adequate job so as to deter younger consumers away from Adult rated games? How are these questions resolved?
The power, I believe, is with the people. People buy what they want. If people think that a game is lewd, offensive, or otherwise harmful to children, then the shouldn't buy that product. Obviously the gaming industry will react with public oppinion. They have to keep up with their consumers or they shall lose money. That's really where the consumer's power stems. The money that kids borrow from their parents, make in a part time job, or whatever is the stuff that regulates the industries of gaming. By changing the amount of product bought by the consumer, a person can change the way the gaming industry works. In basic economic terms: If the demand does not ask for a certain supply, then the supply will be changed to meet the demand.
What do you think? What is your oppinion?
Beebes
The saying goes that the pen is greater than the sword. Here's trying to prove it.