SamOOne Case Against Censorship
June 5th 2008 17:59
In the ever waging war for and against videogame censorship, I hope anyone reading this site, will see it as a testament to defend more fair standards for videogames to be accepted as art. Film doesn’t get attacked as brutally, because of it’s rating system where children aren’t allowed to see R-rated films. But games have the same rating system now, through the ESRB, to prevent violent content from ending up in the hands of children, by giving parents an easy to read guide to the game’s content right on the box.
Plus the key demographic for gaming, isn’t children and hasn’t been for some time. Studies have proven that the largest percentage of gamers are in their late 20’s to mid-30’s. So why is it still taboo for content to appeal to the older consumer, the money spenders. Like the controversy over the Grand Theft Auto series, yes it is offensive to many people, but if it’s offensive to you, don’t play the game and don’t allow your children to play it. Simple problem, easy solution.
Grand Theft Auto is a best selling series, so apparently there is an audience for such content, so why act like it’s just an offensive series that serves no purpose. Plenty of people enjoy it, let them have their game, freedom of expression in action. Why should that be frowned upon?
I would even defend Grand Theft Auto with it’s recent entry in GTA IV, as being art, because of the plot. As well as the structure of relationships you keep up with and the choices you have to make, most of which are emotionally fueled. The series isn’t just killing pedestrians for no apparent reason, although that can still be a part of the experience, the heart of this new game is realistic decisions to emotionally fueled relationships.
There’s a growing amount of social relevance to the series that people ignore, because of the high violence potential in the freeform playing style of the game. But most of GTA IV is social commentary on society, and how people feel given the present state of the world, exactly what film and many books do. But for some reason, it’s not the same thing. Dissecting culture and the problems of the world, in a much more lighthearted fashion is okay in so many other mediums, but in the interactive world, for some reason it’s unacceptable.
So please don’t look at Grand Theft Auto as just an offensive series, but rather a different take on real world issues, and giving oneself comfort in an at times terrifying real world. Getting comfort during hardship is also a service that art can provide, like reading your favorite story, or re-watching your favorite comedy.
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Comment by Ann 2
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Crap, I just realized how long that was. I didn't mean to write a novel.