Video game violence

Savoir.Faire · 27-09-2013 2:23pm #1

I was over in my brother's house for dinner recently and I joined my nephew on the couch as I waited for my sister in law to cook her trademark vile chicken casserole. My nephew was playing somd game called GTA. Honestly I was absolutely shocked by what I saw. The level of violence in the game was stomach-churning.

It got me thinking about how violent young people are today and I wondered are they connected? When young boys are spending their time murdering virtual prostitutes in a darkened room instead of out playing hurling or soccer then is it any wonder that we have kids stabbing each other and boys with a very warped view on sexuality. Maybe I'm just a bit conservative but I'm not sure if these violent virtual masturbation games should be allowed.

On the upside, the casserole was better than expected.

super_furry · 27-09-2013 2:24pm

True fact - Grand Theft Auto V is more violent than World War 2.

Myrddin · 27-09-2013 2:25pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

It got me thinking about how violent young people are today and I wondered are they connected? When young boys are spending their time murdering virtual prostitutes in a darkened room instead of out playing hurling or soccer then is it any wonder that we have kids stabbing each other and boys with a very warped view on sexuality. Maybe I'm just a bit conservative but I'm not sure if these violent virtual masturbation games should be allowed.

You're right. Before the advent of mature rated video games, & when everyone played hurling & soccer outside...violence & sexual crimes were virtually non existent.

The Backwards Man · 27-09-2013 2:25pm

Who the heck are you OP, H.G. Wells?

ancapailldorcha · 27-09-2013 2:26pm

Of course they're not connected. Both the UK and US governments have poured huge amounts of cash into investigating any possible connection and come up with nothing.
Games are just this generation's scapegoat just like movies, comic books, heavy metal, rap music, etc...

krudler · 27-09-2013 2:26pm

Here's a crazy notion, maybe parents should stop buying 18's rated adult themed games for their kids? Rockstar, the developers of the GTA franchise, have themselves gone on record saying "if you buy our games for your child then you're a terrible parent".

They're games aimed at adults, marketed to adults. Simple as, too many parents still associate video games with being children's toys when the main demographic age of your average game is 27 or something.

maximoose · 27-09-2013 2:27pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

Maybe I'm just a bit conservative

bingo.

alwayssideways · 27-09-2013 2:27pm

What age is your nephew? GTA has a Pegi 18 rating.

--Kaiser-- · 27-09-2013 2:27pm

I wonder what turned people into violent lunactics before there were video games? Card games? Hopscotch? See saws?

stimpson · 27-09-2013 2:28pm

Casserole? What is this - the 1970's?

mattjack · 27-09-2013 2:28pm

OP , be careful , the next casserole might contain more than chicken it.

krudler · 27-09-2013 2:28pm

--Kaiser-- wrote: »

I wonder what turned people into violent lunactics before there were video games? Card games? Hopscotch? See saws?

Monopoly, wars have been started over less.

Turtwig · 27-09-2013 2:29pm

GTA has stomach churning violence? Well apart from a scene involving pliers I don't think that's true. Lots of movies and games have been far more gruesome.

The problem videogames have is that some parents still consider to be a toy just for kids. The notion that these could be for people over 30 doesn't cross some people's minds. Parents are first and foremost to blame for letting immature folk play such games. The content on games shouldn't be restricted. They're a form of art and entertainment.

KeithM89 · 27-09-2013 2:29pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

...I'm not sure if these violent virtual masturbation games should be allowed.

Oh for fuck sake!

Anyone · 27-09-2013 2:30pm

Wait until the Occulus Rift is widely available.

ScumLord · 27-09-2013 2:30pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

I was over in my brother's house for dinner recently and I joined my nephew on the couch as I waited for my sister in law to cook her trademark vile chicken casserole. My nephew was playing somd game called GTA. Honestly I was absolutely shocked by what I saw. The level of violence in the game was stomach-churning.

Welcome to the 1990s, you're really going to enjoy berating GTA for all the worlds problems.

It got me thinking about how violent young people are today and I wondered are they connected? When young boys are spending their time murdering virtual prostitutes in a darkened room instead of out playing hurling or soccer then is it any wonder that we have kids stabbing each other and boys with a very warped view on sexuality. Maybe I'm just a bit conservative but I'm not sure if these violent virtual masturbation games should be allowed.

I played violent games as a child, and read violent comic books, watched violent films and I'm pretty much a pacifist. when I couldn't find enough violence to watch I'd draw my own violent comics. I grew out of it, just like most men do. Violence is nothing new and it's definitely a good thing boys restrict their violence to games rather than in real life with bullying.

Penn & Teller once brought a kid that played violent shooting games out shooting one day, the boy ended up crying when the gun went off. Fake violence is nothing like real violence and I don't think the two are linked or similar at all.

Having said al that GTA is a 18 rated game, your nephew shouldn't have had it.

Savoir.Faire · 27-09-2013 2:31pm

alwayssideways wrote: »

What age is your nephew? GTA has a Pegi 18 rating.

He's 9. He was driving a pickup truck in the game and the character was calling some female drug addict 'a crack smokin' ho'. He then stabbed an obese women in the face as he ran down the street.

kingtiger · 27-09-2013 2:31pm

do you not think your brother is at fault for allowing your underage nephew to play and 18+ game?

video games are not just for "kids" you know

krudler · 27-09-2013 2:32pm

Years ago I was working in retail when Vice City then San Andreas came out, naturally kids would want their parents to buy the games and we'd have to explain the content, most parents would hear about beating hookers to death and just go "oh right, they're not getting that" others would simply not give a flying fcuk.

I've been a gamer since the mid 80's, and yeah we played stuff like Mortal Kombat and the like when we were early teens, but they're completely tame compared to the stuff in GTAV, not to mention the amount of sexual references in it.

krudler · 27-09-2013 2:34pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

He's 9. He was driving a pickup truck in the game and the character was calling some female drug addict 'a crack smokin' ho'. He then stabbed an obese women in the face as he ran down the street.

And that's fairly tame by GTA standards. Ridiculous letting a 9 year old play it, it's 18s for a reason.

I am pie · 27-09-2013 2:34pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

He's 9. He was driving a pickup truck in the game and the character was calling some female drug addict 'a crack smokin' ho'. He then stabbed an obese women in the face as he ran down the street.

Did you mention to his parents that he is playing a game for adults or did you just start this thread on the apparent downfall of society instead?

IvySlayer · 27-09-2013 2:35pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

It got me thinking about how violent young people are today and I wondered are they connected? When young boys are spending their time murdering virtual prostitutes in a darkened room instead of out playing hurling or soccer then is it any wonder that we have kids stabbing each other and boys with a very warped view on sexuality. Maybe I'm just a bit conservative but I'm not sure if these violent virtual masturbation games should be allowed.

I suppose you have evidence to back up your claims. Studies to show how this generation is more violent than previous ones with a direct correlation to video games

And explain your second thing, I find most boys (and girls too ) have a very narrow view of sex in teenage years :pac: Has there been a huge outbreak of pimps in Ireland or something.

stimpson · 27-09-2013 2:35pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

He's 9. He was driving a pickup truck in the game and the character was calling some female drug addict 'a crack smokin' ho'.

In fairness, that ho does smoke a lot of crack.

Elbaston · 27-09-2013 2:35pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

I was over in my brother's house for dinner recently and I joined my nephew on the couch as I waited for my sister in law to cook her trademark vile chicken casserole. My nephew was playing somd game called GTA. Honestly I was absolutely shocked by what I saw. The level of violence in the game was stomach-churning.

It got me thinking about how violent young people are today and I wondered are they connected? When young boys are spending their time murdering virtual prostitutes in a darkened room instead of out playing hurling or soccer then is it any wonder that we have kids stabbing each other and boys with a very warped view on sexuality. Maybe I'm just a bit conservative but I'm not sure if these violent virtual masturbation games should be allowed.

On the upside, the casserole was better than expected.

obvious troll eats casserole.

boatbuilder · 27-09-2013 2:35pm

I would guess that the vast majority of GTA games bought within the last week are for the use of 14-20 years olds.
Same problem as there is with alcohol in this country - it seems totally acceptable to a lot of parents to allow their underage kids to get drunk at 15.

Turtwig · 27-09-2013 2:35pm

Banning the game won't solve the problem of idiotic parenting.

TheIrishGrover · 27-09-2013 2:36pm

Pray tell, what is this GAT or GTA game that you are on about? Is it a fun, lighthearted folly designed for whippersnappers of all ages........ or is it a game for adults with 18s labels ALL OVER the disc, box, posters, TV adverts, skywriting? The game, fifth in it's generation I believe, that has had worldwide saturation coverage on all media sources since it's recent launch?

And what, may I inquire was the parents' response to their little delight playing such a game? Or were they complicit in said underager playing such a game? Oh, I DO hope we never hear about them complaining about the youth of today but I have a feeling we just might.

Sulla Felix · 27-09-2013 2:36pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

He's 9. He was driving a pickup truck in the game and the character was calling some female drug addict 'a crack smokin' ho'. He then stabbed an obese women in the face as he ran down the street.

So why is he being allowed to play the game? It's for adults and like other things that are for adults, parents shouldn't be slowing their children access.
A little bit more personal responsibility ffs.

Pudsy33 · 27-09-2013 2:37pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

He's 9. He was driving a pickup truck in the game and the character was calling some female drug addict 'a crack smokin' ho'. He then stabbed an obese women in the face as he ran down the street.

Blame the parents, not the game. Jesus christ. Parents need to stop blaming everyone but themselves.

Savoir.Faire · 27-09-2013 2:37pm

I actually was also of the opinion that video games are for kids and teenagers?

The idea that a grown man spends their time alone playing games is a little strange to me I must admit.

kylith · 27-09-2013 2:37pm

I agree with the others; if your nephew is under 18 then your brother and his wife are terrible parents, as GTA has an 18 rating.

There are many, many things that are more violent than GTA that you'd probably have no problem with your nephew watching/reading; comics, war movies, games he plays with his friends, cartoons... At least GTA doesn't make it look like no harm comes to someone if they get blown up, unlike Tom and Jerry cartoons.

alwayssideways · 27-09-2013 2:37pm

ScumLord · 27-09-2013 2:38pm

boatbuilder wrote: »

I would guess that the vast majority of GTA games bought within the last week are for the use of 14-20 years olds.
Same problem as there is with alcohol in this country - it seems totally acceptable to a lot of parents to allow their underage kids to get drunk at 15.

A post in the GTA forum asked how old the players are, most are in their 30's. Gta is a long running game, I played it as a kid and I'm 33 now. It's as old as house music and the A-team.

Gaming is an adult pass time now.

Pudsy33 · 27-09-2013 2:38pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

I actually was also of the opinion that video games are for kids and teenagers?

The idea that a grown man spends their time alone playing games is a little strange to me I must admit.

There's your first mistake....

Why is it any different to a man watching tv by himself? The ignorance and double standards around gaming is ridiculous.

bizmark · 27-09-2013 2:39pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

I actually was also of the opinion that video games are for kids and teenagers?

The idea that a grown man spends their time alone playing games is a little strange to me I must admit.

You really are a time traveler from the 80s

GavRedKing · 27-09-2013 2:39pm

The only part of this game I thought, "ooohhh thats a bit violent " was the torture scene, had you seen that I'd hate to see your response.

I am pie · 27-09-2013 2:39pm

Should have taken the game off him and left him with a pack of benson and hedges and a bottle of whiskey. Let him enjoy all the really cool adult vices.

kingtiger · 27-09-2013 2:39pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

The idea that a grown man spends their time alone playing games is a little strange to me I must admit.

is that not the same sitting down watching sport \ movies \ **** ?

ScumLord · 27-09-2013 2:39pm

kylith wrote: »

There are many, many things that are more violent than GTA that you'd probably have no problem with your nephew watching/reading; comics, war movies,

The news, real life.. Arts imitates life, if people want less violent games they should stop being so violent in real life.

The Backwards Man · 27-09-2013 2:40pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

The idea that a grown man spends their time alone playing games is a little strange to me I must admit.

*zips up pants*

:mad:

krudler · 27-09-2013 2:40pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

I actually was also of the opinion that video games are for kids and teenagers?

The idea that a grown man spends their time alone playing games is a little strange to me I must admit.

It's no different that reading a book, watching tv or a movie. Gaming has come a long, long way in the last few years. The budgets rival Hollywood blockbusters now, GTAV cost over 200 million dollars to make.

AtomicHorror · 27-09-2013 2:41pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

I actually was also of the opinion that video games are for kids and teenagers?

The idea that a grown man spends their time alone playing games is a little strange to me I must admit.

You jest with us OP, surely.

TheIrishGrover · 27-09-2013 2:42pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

I actually was also of the opinion that video games are for kids and teenagers?

The idea that a grown man spends their time alone playing games is a little strange to me I must admit.

Ah, you over-cooked it there pall

Captain Chaos · 27-09-2013 2:43pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

I actually was also of the opinion that video games are for kids and teenagers?

The idea that a grown man spends their time alone playing games is a little strange to me I must admit.

Not when the market demographic for hard core dedicated gamers is from around 20-35 years old.

That's where all the gaming companies, console makers and gaming PC manufactures make 80% of their money. Not from parents buying 18s rated games for their kids.

alwayssideways · 27-09-2013 2:43pm

Lock this thread up. Obviously a troll looking for some afternoon entertainment.

kylith · 27-09-2013 2:43pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

I actually was also of the opinion that video games are for kids and teenagers?

Well, you're wrong. Video games started when many of us were children and have grown up with us. Did you give up all your childhood hobbies when you turned 15, or did you just switch to adult versions like the rest of us?

Saying that a video games are for kids is like saying that books are for kids. You wouldn't give a 9 year old The Silence of The Lambs because 'books are for kids', would you?

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

The idea that a grown man spends their time alone playing games is a little strange to me I must admit.

Not just grown men.

Yours Sincerely,
A grown woman who's annoyed that you can't stab the minstrels in the face in Assassin's Creed II.

Savoir.Faire · 27-09-2013 2:52pm

No, no I accept that I am wrong about video games not just being for kids. My circle of friends don't play them, well that I know of, but I suppose that's not to say other adults don't get pleasure from them. My own game is golf, and I'm sure plenty of people think I'm rather silly for smacking a ball around a field all day, but there you go.

The thing I couldn't get is how people get pleasure from inflicting violence and cruelty on other people (albeit virtual) It seems like a sign of sone psychological problem if they find that enjoyable?

krudler · 27-09-2013 2:53pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

No, no I accept that I am wrong about video games not just being for kids. My circle of friends don't play them, well that I know of, but I suppose that's not to say other adults don't get pleasure from them. My own game is golf, and I'm sure plenty of people think I'm rather silly for smacking a ball around a field all day, but there you go.

The thing I couldn't get is how people get pleasure from inflicting violence and cruelty on other people (albeit virtual) It seems like a sign of sone psychological problem if they find that enjoyable?

Better that than taking it out on friends and coworkers.

ScumLord · 27-09-2013 2:56pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

The thing I couldn't get is how people get pleasure from inflicting violence and cruelty on other people (albeit virtual) It seems like a sign of sone psychological problem if they find that enjoyable?

It's, not, real!

If you think violent games are a sign of psychological problems then you have to say the same about films and books.

It's a fantasy land where you can do what you like without repercussions. It would take real mental instability to see this as an example of how you should act in real life. Especially when your dying every 5 minutes.

bizmark · 27-09-2013 2:56pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

The thing I couldn't get is how people get pleasure from inflicting violence and cruelty on other people (albeit virtual) It seems like a sign of sone psychological problem if they find that enjoyable?

I dont know you play a physical sport how many times have you accidentally hurt someone ? do you have a real psychological problem for continuing to enjoy that game after seeing footballers get their ankles snapped by other people?

on the other hand i know in gta 5 theres no real people that can be hurt so whats your point ?

Logical Fallacy · 27-09-2013 2:56pm

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

He's 9. He was driving a pickup truck in the game and the character was calling some female drug addict 'a crack smokin' ho'. He then stabbed an obese women in the face as he ran down the street.

I love the way you have an issue with the game, not with you brother who allows his child to play an 18+ rated game.

Fairly typical tbh, dodge the true issue which is the parenting.

Video game violence

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