So, many groups in the last few years have been ragging on games as a source of bad influence on kids. Granted, games have been getting more and more violent recently. And games like Shadow Warrior have been adding offensive racial stereotypes to the mix. However, we should be careful about crediting a problem to an influence. This isn't the first time that lazy parents have looked outside for excuses. Rock music, Dungeons & Dragons, and even philosophy have been accused of causing young minds to warp.
The problem isn't the influences, it's the lack of work and preparation by parents. You can't teach kids about things by hiding the bad influences. The only good way to prepare your children for the world is to be there to explain things. Sex, drugs, and video games are part of the world. If parents don't take the time to explain (not only with words, but by example) about the various pitfalls that exist, then the kids will only learn to want to experience these things for themselves.
Video game ratings? I suppose it can be considered necessary, but as with the V-Chip, I have a problem with making a parent's job easier. Raising a child is one of the most serious things that a person can do. It should not be taken lightly, and *no* corners should be cut. If a parent uses the excuse about not having enough time then that parent doesn't have their priorities straight. They should have planned to spend time with their children instead of trying to have a career, a love, and a family. Top priority cannot be given to all of those things.
I know it's a bit off the topic, but I think that the video games issue is symptomatic of the lack of seriousness that is taken in having children. Besides, I think that many video games have quite a bit to offer kids: analytical skills, pattern recognition, timing and time management, and risk-reward. But if we pass video games off as an "evil," then we are just finding convenient excuses for our society's lack of commitment to the seriousness of raising a family.
Added 9/5/97
I mentioned Shadow Warrior above. Now I'm going to take a more responsible stance on the game issue. In the previous couple of issues of Computer Gaming World, there has been much discussion surrounding the racially offensive nature of Shadow Warrior. 3D Realms has reacted to the situation with what I perceive as a lackadaisical attitude to any problems the game might have caused. Their stance on the issue seems to be two fold: 1.) they didn't intend to offend anyone, they just merely meant to spoof the "chop socky" (sic) movies of the 70's, and 2.) they have always tried to push the boundaries of content, and this game is just their latest attempt.
I think that 3D Realms is being insensitive and irresponsible about this issue, and that their attitude is a symptom of a problem of not only the games industry but of American society in general. I was talking to an Indian co-worker (Vijay) a few months back while I was still at Millennium RUSH. He was born in India, and he brought up a good point about some of the problems that we have in the US. He said that he saw a serious lack of societal responsibility. I agree.
In the US today, no thought is given to the benefits of society as a whole. The only thing that is important is profit. Sure, under capitalism, profit is necessary. But at a certain point, we have to realize our responsibility to this country for allowing us to make a profit. We have the freedom to prosper, and we constantly take it for granted. Back to 3D Realms. There are no "Game Content Police," but we should make sure that what we are doing never sacrifices the good of society in order to make a buck. 3D Realms simply seemed too greedy and lazy to consider the possible effects of their attitude. Granted, I may be optimistic, and they *may* have intended the reaction (and the associated publicity) all along. I guess I'm an optimist at heart, and I'd rather think that they were stupid than malicious.
Let the game industry think about this violent and racial tone that it is setting. Some of us should spend our time trying to make content that teaches and reinforces while allowing the player to have fun. If we don't, then the benefits of the First Amendment may come flying back in our faces in the form of anger, disinterest, and sales drop-off.