Gaming Under Fire. And Again.
There’s no masking my contempt for the mass media’s scapegoating of the gaming community. Ever in search of social stigma, there’s a very real relish that they seem to take in the branding of gaming as a subversive counter-culture aimed at the dismantling of the peace and prosperity of this nation. Sure, I’m being melodramatic, but I’m of the mind to fight fire with fire. And while I certainly believe that parents and politicians have played roles of their own in this movement, their errors in judgment are fuelled primarily by ignorance and limited exposure to the subject matter. Throwing more wood and pitch on the pyre is a media that seems completely unconcerned with presenting the facts and doing the research.
You might be asking what’s prompted this latest surge of bile and indignation in me. The answer is this article, the headline of which reads “3 convicted in Xbox video game slayings”. Now, let’s face it; in our world of fast food news, many people will simply peruse the headlines of their favorite news source in order to glom from them the day’s events. Now, let’s play the role of an uninformed parent who is caught up in this latest social crusade against gaming. When reading this particular headline from this perspective, we might infer that the Republicans are right: video games are driving violent behavior in those that play them. We might not take the time to read the article in its entirety, but rather simply shake our head in grim acknowledgement that gaming is indeed bad for our kids.We might not delve deeply enough to find that it wasn’t, in fact, a video game that sparked this violent crime. We might overlook the fact that this incident wasn’t perpetrated by some weak-minded soul that maybe took their Grand Theft Auto experience out of the virtual realm. We might fail to realize that this senseless slaughter was committed by some obviously unstable individuals in retaliation for a theft of property.
Fortunately, you and me have more sense than that. We are informed enough to recognize hyperbole when we see it. You and I can share in disgust over the fact that while the Xbox brand name is slung about with careless disregard, the article never ties a brand name to the clothing that was stolen. I mean, maybe we should be referring to these as the “OshKosh overalls killings”, or the “RocaWear jeans slayings”? And while I don’t want to come off as trying to add levity to what is truly a tragic set of circumstances, I know that these are the types of legitimate questions that you and I are asking.
However, people like you and me aren’t what worries me. I assume by your continued indulgence of this rant of mine that you and I see eye to eye on this subject. I’m concerned about those individuals who are in a position to actually manifest change in the way games are made, marketed and sold: parents and politicians.
Sadly, our little community just doesn’t have a spokesperson. Sure, we have some voices out there, but nothing that’s capable of reaching beyond the walls of our community. What we honestly need is our own advocate; someone that parents will look to with levels of both respect and confidence that they simply won’t afford to some of the voices that we do have out there speaking on our behalf right now. While we wait for this spokesperson, we are nonetheless making some very real progress. Groups like the Video Game Voters Network are helping to legitimize our campaign, and push our agendas (If you’re of voting age and haven’t signed up, please do). We’ve also got people like Mike “Gabe” Krahulik and Jerry “Tycho” Holkins of Penny Arcade not only speaking to these issues, but also helping break down the stereotypes of our community with activism, like their successful Child’s Play Charity.
We’ve certainly gained a lot of momentum over the years. What we do with it remains to be seen. Thus far we appear to be moving in the right direction, dealing with the criticism and flak with the integrity and maturity that I know we, as gamers, possess. Nonetheless, we have a personal responsibility in all of this as well. Each of us is an ambassador to gaming, and as such, we each have the ability to create change and break down stereotypes in our day to day lives. But ultimately, only you can affect that change. As for me? I try and do a little bit everyday.
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Very well said, Dre. I for one was amazed at that title. I went into it thinking, “someone must have got pissed about losing in a battle in an online game”, and got their revenge. This title was misleading and was even a “top viewed” headline. The article itself is a measly 2 paragraphs about a theft, that just happened to involve an XBOX. Very sad. I am with you on this one.
“When reading this particular headline from this perspective, we might infer that the Republicans are right: video games are driving violent behavior in those that play them.”
Not that Republicans help the situation, but let’s not forget the Democrats (like Hillary Clinton) who were huge proponents of the ESRB in its early days, and still are today.
Trivia: Did you know that Sega came up with the first game rating system?
It’s not that I’m opposed to game ratings - they certainly serve their purpose - but there’s a fine line between defining ratings and creating censorship.
Good write-up, Dre. I think you’ve (perhaps unintentionally) touched on an even deeper subject when you said, “We each have the ability to create change and break down stereotypes in our day to day lives.” So true, yet so difficult for some.