Fat Ninja

Is Battlefield 2 Training Tomorrow’s Terrorists? 

It’s no big secret that gaming is our generation’s black sheep of media entertainment. I can remember back in October of 2002, when the Beltway sniper attacks were topping the news, many an “expert” was called into the newsroom to examine the homicides and offer their “professional” opinions on who might be carrying out the random assassinations; and, most importantly, what might be at the root of their malice. These theories were often imaginative, but none so much as a very loose connection that several of these “experts” drew between the Beltway sniper and gaming.

Apparently, notes sent to law enforcement officials by the killer, John Allen Muhammed, during the savage three-week killing spree were signed, “God”. Now, as a rational being, my gut reaction to this was that whoever this bastard proved to be, they were obviously referring to their position of power; that they were deciding who lived and who died, thereby playing God. It was pretty straight-forward to me; certainly an accessible concept whose interpretation did not require some advanced degree from an accredited university. Still, some of these so-called experts opined that the ”God” signature was something more than a simple expression of the killer’s megalomania. They held that it was a reference to what the gaming community calls “Godmode”. For the unacquainted, “Godmode” is basically a cheat code of sorts found in most first-person shooters that renders the player invincible, allowing them to plow through a particularly difficult level without dying; or just wreak havoc without the threat of virtual death.

Now, any reasonably intelligent person should be able to realize just how flimsy this theory is, but I consider it one of many attempts at the demonizing of a hobby that I hold near and dear. Gaming is what I do, and many of the games I play are first-person shooters. The notion that these activities make me predisposed to violence, or that they are somehow tied to the downfall of Western Civilization is, to me, rather offensive. It implies that I’m emotionally stunted. It suggests that I am incapable of independent thought. It brings into question the corruptability of my moral fiber. I wish to assure you that I’m not talking about self-doubts, or that I’m suddenly questioning my convictions as they pertain to violent videogames. I’m really referring to how I, as a gamer, am being portrayed by the media; and, in turn, how I am being perceived by the public at large.

I sincerely believe that gaming is a healthy habit. I’m not saying it can’t be unhealthy, though. Trust me, I’ve played World of Warcraft, so I am well acquainted with the dark underbelly of gaming. But I think gaming is beneficial in a lot of ways, among them the fact that it actually engages the participants intellect in some fashion. Where TV simply unfolds before our consciousness, demanding no real neurological activity, I believe gaming gets one thinking and involved. It also teaches rudimentary problem solving skills while improving motor skills. These are but a few of gaming’s more beneficial aspects. Sure, I’m no doctor, but studies have been done that support my sentiments on the subject.

Pyga Fossor Majora: a.k.a., Jack Thompson

In spite of all of this, people like Jack Thompson continue their witch hunt against virtual entertainment, hoping to somehow saddle gaming with the social burden of correctly raising our youth. In an age without parental accountability, an age of election year politics and highschool shootings, everyone needs a scapegoat. When I was in highschool, “gangster rap” served the function admirably. But we’ve since absorbed hip-hop into the mainstream and domesticated it for consumption by the general populace. Now, as gaming’s popularity has risen exponentially, it represents less of a counter-culture and more of a movement; and those who don’t understand that culture are bound to fear it.

Which brings us at last to what prompted this whole tirade. As I browsed the ol’ interweb this morning, I came across this particular little gem in which Pentagon officials were actually attacking and misrepresenting “intelligence” in an attempt to suggest that Electronic Arts’ popular first-person shooter, Battlefield 2, was being used by “the Terrorists” to recruit new members. There’s a vast number of things wrong with these accusations, but none that stands out quite so starkly as the hypocrisy of the Pentagon and Defense community at large. For people like this to suddenly find a conscience and condemn the practice of exploiting popular culture for the purposes of recruiting young minds to an ideal makes you wonder why a game like America’s Army is still out there for mass consumption. That isn’t to say that I believe it should be off the market. I’m a free-thinking individual that’s entirely capable of making my own decisions, and I don’t put a whole lot of sway in such tactics. However, if the crux of the Pentagon’s argument here is the condemnation of such practices, then perhaps they should discourage them on their own end as well.

The Pentagon hates gamers. Also Congress.

But really, this is only one of many arguments against the diatribe that’s coming from these Congressional Hearings. As usual, the information and “intelligence” is being distorted; and while these distortions are more than evident to those that are immersed in gaming, the general public might not make these distinctions so readily. It’s unfortunate, that something as inncocuous as a videogame can suddenly find itself embroiled in this sort of controversy, but such is the cross that it bears. I can only hope that cooler heads prevail; that parents start taking responsibility; that gun control laws and parents work to keep firearms out of the hands of troubled teens; that politicians start tackling the real issues (health insurance in America is a great start!). But most importantly, I hope that when the dust settles gaming remains innocent fun.

PS ~ Jon Stewart feels the same way I do.

Share This