Political Issues in the Video Political Issues in the Video Game Industry: Violence Game Industry: Violence

and Gamingand Gaming

Alisdair OwensAlisdair Owens

The SituationThe Situation

Video games receive a lot of Video games receive a lot of negative attention in the media.negative attention in the media.

Particular emphasis on potential Particular emphasis on potential damage to children.damage to children.

This presentation covers a history of This presentation covers a history of violent games, the case against violent games, the case against them, and the potential solutions to them, and the potential solutions to the perceived problem.the perceived problem.

Death RaceDeath Race

Arcade game based on the movie Death Arcade game based on the movie Death Race 2000.Race 2000.

Released in 1976Released in 1976 Gameplay involved running over Gameplay involved running over

‘gremlins’.‘gremlins’.

Early 80sEarly 80s Arcades wildly successful.Arcades wildly successful. Violent games considered a useful tool Violent games considered a useful tool

for training children by the US army.for training children by the US army. First game linking sex and violence.First game linking sex and violence.

Early 90sEarly 90s

Games garner consistent public Games garner consistent public attention. attention.

Mortal Kombat causes congress-level Mortal Kombat causes congress-level debate in the US.debate in the US. Massively ‘gory’ fatalitiesMassively ‘gory’ fatalities Less violent Nintendo version relatively Less violent Nintendo version relatively

unpopular.unpopular. Wolfenstein 3D banned in Germany Wolfenstein 3D banned in Germany

for Nazi references.for Nazi references. DoomDoom

Late 90s-CurrentLate 90s-Current

Columbine linked to Doom.Columbine linked to Doom. CarmageddonCarmageddon Grand Theft Auto 1-3Grand Theft Auto 1-3

Adult games massively popular among Adult games massively popular among children.children.

Sex/violence link.Sex/violence link. Manhunt linked to murder of a 14 Manhunt linked to murder of a 14

year old in the UK.year old in the UK.

The SituationThe Situation

Parents are worried that violent Parents are worried that violent games negatively impact their games negatively impact their children.children. Some blame misbehaviour on games.Some blame misbehaviour on games.

Politicians and the media have picked Politicians and the media have picked up on this concern, particularly in the up on this concern, particularly in the light of Columbine.light of Columbine.

Gamers blame parents for improper Gamers blame parents for improper supervision.supervision.

EvidenceEvidence

Large body of evidence that links Large body of evidence that links violent games to short term violent games to short term aggression increases.aggression increases.

Little hard evidence of this causing Little hard evidence of this causing long term violent tendencies.long term violent tendencies. Largely theories based off work on other Largely theories based off work on other

types of media.types of media.

The ProblemThe Problem

Potential damage to children.Potential damage to children. Violent games clearly attract children.Violent games clearly attract children.

Disparity in SEGA/Nintendo MK sales.Disparity in SEGA/Nintendo MK sales. Games are clearly getting both more Games are clearly getting both more

violent and more realistic.violent and more realistic. Little legal regulation.Little legal regulation. Many parents unwilling/unable to Many parents unwilling/unable to

supervise children sufficiently.supervise children sufficiently.

SolutionsSolutions

Greater parental education.Greater parental education. Limited efficacy?Limited efficacy?

Stronger regulation.Stronger regulation. ‘‘Chipping’ consoles.Chipping’ consoles.

Differing regulations by country.Differing regulations by country. Doesn’t solve the issue of multiple age Doesn’t solve the issue of multiple age

groups using the machine.groups using the machine.

ConclusionConclusion

Violent games are not going away.Violent games are not going away. Chipping consoles is inconvenient, Chipping consoles is inconvenient,

and may cause difficulties for and may cause difficulties for manufacturers.manufacturers.

Imperfect solution:Imperfect solution: Parental educationParental education Stronger legal regulation.Stronger legal regulation.