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July 20, 2004
The War on Violence
Last week saw a huge <a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/182335_violentvideo16.html">victory for the games industry</a>. Once again, the courts have upheld the notion that games are indeed a form of expression and should receive the same free speech protections as other forms of art and entertainment. I am proud to say that the IGDA in general, our members in Washington state, and myself personally, were all <a href="http://www.igda.org/censorship/lobbying.php#hb1009">a part of the victory</a>.
One of the points ofen raised in the whole media effects debate is the notion that games are murder simulators (ie, they train kids to shoot, kill, etc). A big part of this argument is how the military uses games/simulations for training purposes. Sadly, what the headlines always leave out is that the games are primarily used for communications training (ie, squad interaction) and strategy simulations.
I was pleased to see the judge specifically address the absurd notion of murder training in one of the footnotes from <a href="http://www.theesa.com/SJORDER.pdf">the ruling</a>:
<em>"Even if one accepts the basic premise that interactive games involving repetitive actions "teach" the player certain skills, the evidence as it currently exists suggests only that players are taught improved reaction time, eye/hand coordination, and how to score points in the game. Dr. Provenzo's concern that a person playing </em>Grand Theft Auto: Vice City<em> will learn how to shoot a police officer is little more than conjecture: a proven ability to manipulate a controller and push buttons will not teach a person to load, aim, or fire a gun."</em>
Very well said :)
Ironically, an editorial at Tech Central Station suggests that limiting consumer access to violent/war games would <a href="http://techcentralstation.com/070704C.html">make the USA a "weaker" nation</a>. Hmm, it's an interesting point of view... Also, a recent MSNBC editorial <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5318462/">explores the appeal and different uses of military based games</a>... Tom Loftus deftly points out how games can be used by gamers as a means to deal with their fears and anxiety over war and violence - themes echoed in Gerard Jones' must read book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0465036961/">Killing Monsters</a>.
Anyway, those interesting in the WA-state case and ruling should out the <a href="http://www.corante.com/importance/archives/005035.html">recap and commentarty at Corante</a>.
Posted by della at July 20, 2004 04:02 PM
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