Rated M for Mature for a Reason
Afishionados,
I had to write an article for one of my classes about some element of design. I chose a really interesting article from WIRED magazine that discusses a psychological study on beta testers that played Halo 3 prior to its public release. Bungie Studios hired a psychologist to monitor where people were dying, how they liked the levels, monitored their ammo, etc. to work out bugs and kinks prior to the final release of the game (It’s an interesting article, so you should go read it).
We had to explain to the class the topic of our article and why we chose it. The WIRED article does not mention anything about video game violence and its impact on people, it just discusses the psychological method behind Halo 3’s BETA testing. I made this quite clear during my presentation, but, as with any class, a moron raised their hand.
“Uh, yes, does the article go into any detail about how video game violence affects children?”
It was some annoying, middle-aged woman and apparently a mother of two teenagers. I think she said her kids were 15 and 17 or something but who the hell cares. And I let her in on a little secret: Games come with content labels! If you don’t like the content, then don’t buy the damn game.
Does video game violence cause real life violence? I don’t believe so. I think it’s got more to do with shitty parenting. I mean, I played DOOM, Quake, Half Life, BioShock, etc. and I’ve not killed anyone yet. Does asking a stupid question in class after making my point abundantly clear cause violence? Someone hand me my BFG 9000…
September 27th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
All I can say to this is IDDQD!
September 27th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Mike: Your memory serves you well. I think if you enter that in DOOM 3, though, it immediately kills you.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
We have never bought video games for the kids. I had a few racing games but no first shooter type. When my son got a job and made some money he bought a Game Cube and bought some first shooter types. He does pretty good with them. But, he is 14 now and I hope/think that we have brought him up well enough to know to keep it real.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:54 am
I’ll have to stay away from Doom 3 then. I made it through an earlier version of Doom without the codes. It took me a long time, but I did it. Then I started using the codes and made it through in no time at all. It is still a great game.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:29 am
I thought only NOOBs used the BFG9000.
September 28th, 2007 at 8:38 am
The chainsaw should be enough.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:06 am
I think all video games provoke violence despite what they are rated.
Have you ever seen someone who is losing not cuss or not throw the controller?
September 28th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Sirdar: The game cube doesn’t exactly offer as many shooters as the PS or Xbox, either. And even if they are, they’re the retarded looking ones with Mario shooting radishes or something. I’m sure your son will be fine, though if you see him eating mushrooms and throwing vegetables you might worry…
Mike: There are cheat codes for Doom 3, so you should check it out. They’re just different than the old ones is all.
Sara Sue: Ha, you’re just intimidated by the massive size of my piece.
AngryMan: Messy, yet effective. God bless Doom 2.
PrePo: What the fuck are you talking about?!? DAMMIT I AM NOT HAVING THIS CONVERSATION WITH YOU. You’ve fucking pissed me off and I am through with you. FUCK!
September 28th, 2007 at 10:29 am
if i played video games as much as i played with myself, i would so pwned you.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Tits: Anytime you want to play, you know where to find me. We can play whatever you want. Unless you’re ugly.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
But won’t Angryman get jealous?
September 28th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
hmmm… i thought you had seen enough of me to know i am not ugly. plus i’ve got a great rack, so, i think you would want to play.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Mike: That you’re playing Doom 3 instead of with his wang? Probably.
Tits: I’ve only seen your Magnum P.I. photo. Where’s the proof?