"Your Mom Hates This Game"

The market for video games has been increasing since their introduction in the 1980’s.  What began as simple games like Pong and Pac-Man, modern video games have evolved to rival the quality of some movies. Recent game releases have involved features like chainsaw-guns and the ability to kill enemies in destructive ways.  There is a new game that was released under the tagline “Your mom hates this game”; evidently priding itself on the gruesome methods for killing enemies.  Dead Space 2 developers made a commercial showcasing women unfamiliar to the video game world, as they watched clips of gameplay.  As expected, these women were disgusted by what they saw and the footage was used for the commercial, the behind-the-scenes video of which is located below. 

          

            The example of Dead Space 2 is an indicator that our society is not only using violence as a form of entertainment, but that it is also beginning to showcase it.  Although the marketing campaign is a ploy to attract the attention of kids who like to do what their parents hate, it just comes out as excitement over violence (Tassi).Violence is common  in modern society, with daily news reports of assaults, murders and kidnappings, but it  should not be such a force in the entertainment industry. 

            The difference that lies between violent video games and real life is just that: reality.  The video game industry is constantly working to make games more realistic.  The resulting games present gamers with what can be seen as an imitation of real life.  The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) game series has been an indicator of that.  GTA is a series of games which put players into the roles of various criminals as they work their way to the top of their city’s crime syndicate/drug business.  Video games are meant to entertain their players, and when the game itself is based around violence, it can be said that the game itself is promoting   a violent lifestyle.  But, as Imagine Games Network (IGN) writer Rus McLaughlin says, “A life of crime ain’t easy, baby.” (McLaughlin)

            Growing up during the 1990’s and 2000’s, I have been a gamer myself for almost 10 years.  I enjoy playing games that involve violent weapons and tactics in the gameplay and I remember watching the trailers for Dead Space 2 with interest.  The difference between this and the attitudes of violent games discussed above is the method of presentation.  The GTA games focus on violent crime as the purpose of the game, so everyone that plays it uses their character to commit criminal acts.  Similarly, the trailer for Dead Space 2 presents violence as a good thing to utilize if someone intends to contradict their parents’ wishes.  The GTA game series has always been controversial for their content, but seeing the way that it excites people to play them, the violence involved is becoming a showcase for the next generation of games. 

            Recognizing the harmful effects of some violent games is more than just looking at the game itself.  Instead, looking at the way that individuals view it will give insight into how the game affects those who play it.  Looking at the effects of violent games can be compared to that of gun use. The games (or guns) are not bad things by themselves, but coupled with those who are more susceptible to influence, like younger kids, it can have adverse effects on them.

References

McLaughlin, Rus. “IGN Presents: The history of Grand Theft Auto” IGN Inc. 28 March 2008. Retrieved 23 Feb 2001. <http://retro.ign.com/articles/863/863037p1.html>

Tassi, Paul. “EA Using Mom’s Disapproval to Sell Dead Space 2”. Forbes. 24 Jan 2011. Retrieved 23 Feb 2011. <http://blogs.forbes.com/insertcoin/2011/01/24/ea-using-moms-disapproval-to-sell-dead-space-2/?boxes=Homepagechannels>