Good article.
This is a good look at the issue of the games as a worthwhile medium from an enthusiast perspective, however, to the rest of the world a better case is needed. To an avid game enthusiast like me, the merits of the medium are clear and the article simply lays out what most of us already knew. It is nice to see someone articulate it far better than most of us could ever hope to though.
I worked in the game industry for 8 years right out of college. I've always loved the diversion from real life. That's all it really is, a diversion. There are artistic merits within the diversion, but none that really benefit anything outside of the diversion itself. We?ve seen games crossover to other diversions like movies and books, but essentially provide the same benefits in a different medium. I cannot make the case for this diversion to others. It's similar to when I try to explain to non-hockey enthusiasts why I like the sport of hockey. Just because I tell someone what I like, doesn't make it any more palatable to that person. Oftentimes what we enjoy comes from early experiences that leave positive impressions in our mind, so we spend the rest of our lives in that comfort zone.
So what about the social impact of violent or anti-social games on impressionable youths? I see the industry and enthusiasts disregard these questions all the time as paranoia or fanaticism. The truth I think is somewhere in between. I do believe that the constant exposure to violence, sex, and drugs in the media does have a negative impact on all of us, not just kids. I will not defend the industry when it puts out titles like GTA, but I do encourage parents to be proactive and understand the rating system printed on the boxes (and God forbid, actually play the game for a 20 minutes before they hand it to their child). The game mechanics were phenomenal in GTA, but what, if anything, does the theme say about the person behind the controller? Does fantasizing about being a gun wielding thug who takes whatever he needs in his environment while carelessly trampling bystanders mean that I am one? Not at all. It?s a game. I just as enthusiastically enjoy gunning down terrorists and rescuing hostages in Rainbow 6. There is something about the theme that makes it exciting though. You take the same game mechanics and apply a more modest theme and I guarantee your paying audience will shrink. So what is it that makes those games so appealing to us? I don?t claim to have the answer, because I think the answer is different for everyone. Postal, a poorly produced game with similar adult themes to that of GTA hardly broke into GTA?s numbers. If anything, the people who bought it were merely interested in the controversial content, not because they expected quality game mechanics, character development, or plotline.
Excuse me while I go jack in to World of Warcraft for a few hours?