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Playing games
In the same few weeks as we see the release of "Grand Theft Auto IV",
and a press event during which details of the forthcoming "Gears of War
2" are given, we can reflect a little on how gaming might
have taken
over much or some of our lives. |
Indeed, GTA is a part of the series which is given as an example of nearly all of the descriptors in the PEGI system: bad language, discrimination, drugs, sex, violence, gambling (but not fear). It is undoubtedly a violent and, to some, unsavoury game.
However this is not necessarily enough to call for it to be banned as long as those who choose to play it understand the kind of game it is. The original Gears of War was banned in Germany and its sequel is said by some to feature "even more explicit violence than its notoriously bloody predecessor" (1). As one gamer put it, however: "Gears of War has been banned from sale in Germany, and most Germans will have to import from Austria" (2) showing how a national ban may be quite ineffective in the free market.
Although some commentators will stress the importance of ratings systems, and whilst we can only applaud PEGI (3), it remains true that ratings tend to be voluntary. Indeed, few countries have made the carrying of these ratings enforceable by law. Not only that but only in a few countries of the EU is it illegal to supply games to under-age children (4).
Is enforcement the solution? This is another area of debate. As we can see, taking the Greek experience into account, having a ratings system is not a panacea. It is only the importance we give such a system that will pay dividends.
At this same time, research shows that "computer game addicts share some personality characteristics with people with Asperger's" (5). Although this does not mean that computer gaming will cause AS, it will undoubtedly be used as ammunition by the anti-gaming lobby as will the news that "Nintendo's exergame wrongly labels kids overweight" (6). The quick scan of articles such as these, which lend themselves to over dramatisation and misinterpretation will, on the one hand, fuel the distrust of a poorly understood technology and, on the other, put up barriers from the pro-gamers who will then distrust any information from sources outside their circle.
Also published at this time was a communication from the European Commission underlining the usefulness of the PEGI ratings whilst stressing the importance of making sure legislation is understood and consumers are made aware:
"Video games have become a strong pillar of Europe's content industry and are experiencing booming sales across Europe. This is welcome, but implies greater responsibility for the industry to ensure that parents know what kind of games their children play", said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for the Information Society and Media. "PEGI, as an example of responsible industry self-regulation and the only such system with almost pan-European coverage, is certainly a very good first step. However, I believe it can be greatly improved, in Europe and beyond, by making the public more aware about its existence and fully implementing PEGI Online. I also call on Member States and the industry to govern the sale of video games in shops to respect the fundamental need to protect minors." (7)
The fact is that many people like destructive and violent games and will play out their fantasies perhaps in the safest way there is. There are double standards at work here, however: we rarely hear outcries about the destruction and violence inherent in chess, for example. As Keith Stuart of The Guardian puts it: "destruction is an intrinsic element of game design. We can't escape from it. No matter how much we'd like to transcend it, no matter how successful Nintendo is with its comfy cutesy family titles, a huge number of gamers just want to smash things, or shoot them, or smash them and then shoot them." (8) It is the realism of the games that upsets and that will only get more acute as game technology develops.
As it is so often the case with the areas of interest of Insafe, awareness has to be the key and our responsibility as a network is to share those practices that lead to the greatest, most effective rise in awareness.
And now, play on.
1. video games.yahoo.com
2. gearsforums.epicgames.com
3. www.pegi.info
4. en.wikipedia.org
5. www.bolton.ac.uk
6. videogames.yahoo.com
7. europa.eu
8. www.guardian.co.uk
| Author: |
Chris Jenkins, Insafe |
| Published: |
Tuesday, 20 May 2008 |
| Last changed: |
Monday, 2 Jun 2008 |
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