Violence in Video Games - Game Over
POWER. The single click of this button will allow you to enter a world. A world far different than this, one without respect, morals, values, rules, and laws. There is no one to tell you what to do, what not to say, and how to act. You can do anything and everything that you want to.
Welcome to a world where everyone, including yourself, is armed with the most horrifying weapons imaginable. Every single person in this world is after you. You have voluntarily entered the horrific world of violent video games.
Modern day video games have the most realistic graphics ever, creating a more authentic setting and atmosphere for the game. Video game designers strive to develop products that reflect the world around them as closely and detailed as they possibly can. This is an astonishing advance in technology, but when the entire point of the game you are playing is to obliterate your lifelike opponents, what is it really teaching us?
The amount of gore, bloodshed, and violence in some of M-rated games I have seen are absolutely repulsive and are entirely unnecessary. Maybe that could be the problem…the mature rated games. By definition, games under this title are known to, “have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older and may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.” The restrictions don’t seem to be enough either, the sole warning on the plastic case of a video game is an inadequate letter in the bottom corner! Then, when you flip it over, under the entire synopsis and a picture there is a tiny box with the reasons for their rating. I mean honestly, how many people really look at the cover of a video game and immediately ask themselves “Is this appropriate for someone my age?” Of course not! It isn’t our fault either; no…it is the designers for allowing their inappropriate and gruesome games to be available for everyone in society to obtain. Teenagers are obviously by far the age group that the video game industry targets for mature rated games. Teens are anything but mature so, one question…how does that make it alright to play these games with contents that even the video game corporations say should only be meant for ‘mature’ people?
The themes in violent video games are of course all very similar. Appalling tasks like slaughtering all of your opponents, and assassinating as many zombies as you can are the goals that players try to accomplish. In the end, it will ultimately result in you being the only remaining survivor. After all of that, what is your reward? You will be graciously awarded with the completion of the level, points, and the feeling of a job well done... seems worth it... hardly. I would not have any pride in mindlessly murdering thousands of virtual, fictional characters! This is not only because of the fact that it would totally freak me out, but I just don’t see the entertaining aspect of doing something like this.
Violent video games isolate a single person from the world and diminishes their perception of reality unfolding around them. Sitting in a room alone in front of a television for hours and hours on end, intent on ‘winning’, makes you entirely oblivious to your surroundings and is unhealthy for your social health. Players begin to rely on the games and the destructive and violent stimulation that they possess. The game puts you into a surreal place where it’s alright to break any and every rule imaginable. When you are finished playing, you are expected to snap out of the insane death craze fantasy and return to reality. How’s that for a transition.
The violence in mature rated games is unbearable to watch and takes away the true seriousness associated with real violence and death in the world. Games are exactly what they are meant to be... games! They are supposed to be a source of fun and entertainment. Conflicts in our world today, like war for example, are turned into video games! An issue like this is definitely not a “game”, and turning dangerous situations like war into ‘fun’ activities for people to play is not alright. Video games are also supposed to be hobbies, not violent re-enactments of tragic events in our history. Murder is the main basis for the entire plot of almost all violent video games. This is one of the most brutal offenses that a human can execute and it is treated like normal game-play in video games. I mean, how else could an innocent person go around and kill others using destructive weapons with no justice whatsoever... of course, only virtually. The old saying “monkey see, monkey do” comes into play here. I am definitely not implying that after you play a violent video game you will go out on an evil rampage, but I do think that these games do desensitize their players. If society looks upon violence as “just a game” then who knows what will happen years down the road, when technology becomes even more advanced and realistic.
Does this make it right? The fact that gaming corporations are making these games, knowing they will be played, and worse…enjoyed is disgusting. These games should not have the right to alienate tragic occurrences and situations in the world by making them into the next bestsellers. The overall violence and gore that is in these games is not only suggestive to the players, but is extremely repulsive as well. Killing virtual characters is something people are doing all the time, like an undying habit…an addiction. It’s wrong if you ask me, but that’s just my opinion. GAME OVER.