I have to agree with what you're saying about the violence in video games. It reminds me of what happened with a school shooting and they found a copy of Rage by Stephen King at the boy's home or in his locker or whatever and they never reprinted that book again because they say that book caused him to do the shooting. Video games may cause SOME violence but i think its kept in home as you're playing the game (the first time I ever played Call of Duty 2 on Veteran, I broke 3 controllers). So yes, I get violent from playing games sometimes but I take it out on my controller. Or a wall.
Kat's Korner- Episode One
Editorial | April 24, 2012 5:23 pm
By Moo Lissa
Welcome, beloved readers, to a new format I'm trying out. Kat's Korner is going to be a weekly editorial "column" where I take on one subject in 300 words or less, and then briefly summarize some of the video gaming news from last week that didn't rate its own article. So without further ado, let's get right to it!
My 300 words or less topic of the week is Bill H.R. 4204, or “Violence in Video Games Labeling Act." This is a bill introduced about a month ago without much hoopla, that essentially requires a label on all games rated above EC, saying “WARNING: Exposure to violent video games has been linked to aggressive behavior.” The biparatisan bill has mostly gone unnoticed by the media, perhaps in part because a similar bill in the state of California was ruled unconstitutional just last year, perhaps because this is the sixth consecutive congressional session that the bill has been introduced without ever being passed, or perhaps because the bill does not make an effort to prove a valid link between video games and aggression. Regardless, other than a few League For Gamers interviews on the net, and a gathering at PAX, the gaming community has remained relatively silent regarding the issue.
Please Note: The opinions in the following commentary are mine and mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the rest of the staff of XboxAmerica.com. AND GO!!!
The fact that there are congressmen who feel that with everything going on in the country, there is no better use of time than to wage their personal crusade against video games is insulting to the intelligence of the average american. If this bill fails to even clear the house again, it's just a monumental waste of taxpayer money to keep these 2 geniuses employed. They've spent the last 6 years of their lives trying to nail Jello brand gelatain fruit crap to a tree. If it passes, it's labeling an entire genre of entertainment with unproven and unfair claims.
The fact is, linking violence and video games can never be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. It all boils down to a chicken and egg argument. Do violent games cause aggression in people who would otherwise be docile, or are people with violent tendencies drawn to violence in all forms- including video games? Can you discount other explanations, like abuse in the home or witnessing violence in real life? For every child who plays violent games then turns around and hurts someone, there are millions who don't.
And even if the link was established, would labeling every game, even child games, be the solution? Proponents liken the label to cancer warnings on cigarettes- but it's more like the law that requires candy cigarettes to carry those warnings. Or maybe if they required pretzel rods to have a label about the dangers of smoking. Labeling Nintendogs with a warning about violence does no more to raise parental awareness than labeling a Dora episode with a warning about a link between pornography and teenage pregnancy. All it does is discourage any purchases in that industry from overly concerned parents... which, for all we know, may be the goal.
Now for some really obscure Xbox360 gaming news from last week!
Before the game Dead Island had been released, there had been buzz due to some questionable marketing strategies, and box art. All the hubub paid off for Deep Silver, however, as Dead Island recently was awarded 2 awards for marketing. Deep Silver took home "Outstanding Promotional Trailer" at the Game Marketing Awards 2012, and "Best Use of Social Media" at MCV Awards 2012.
The game BlazBlue definitely has some diehard fans, and the developers know it. They're currently running a contest on their website where fans can tell the developing team in Japan "Thank you!" For the next three weeks, fans can submit handwritten messages, cosplay pictures, and scans of their own BlazBlue artwork on Arc System Works European site. The best will be chosen to be printed in a book that will be presented to the developing team. To enter, go to www.arcsystemworks.eu/thankyou
Amid all the tension between game publishers and used game retailers, a new "social network" for gamers has been launched. Waygoz.com is a site designed to allow gamers to meet other local gamers, and get together to trade their used games. Kind of a myspace for cheap people, it takes the money out of used game sales, and therefore shouldn't raise the ire of the almighty EA.
Deep Silver disappointed tens of ones of fans last week when they announced they were pushing back the release date for their mildly anticipated Risen 2: Dark Waters, possibly to clean up bugs found after the PC release April 27. The original game recieved luke warm reviews, mostly because it was a not very well done port of a not very well made PC game, but if you're in the mood for an action RPG about pirates, look for Risen 2 to hit shelves July 31. As an apology to the fans for the delay, day one DLC with several hours of gameplay will be available (for free?). I prefer a diamonds when I get screwed, but whatever.
Namco Bandai has announced a Dragon Ball Z game for Kinect. Get ready to Kamehameha until you drop this October. Early gameplay reviews from Destructoid aren't great. Seriously, who's surprised by that?
Kalypso Media released an official website for their upcoming third person action-RPG, The Dark Eye- Demonicon. The website is loaded with trailers, screenshots, and info about this game... that I've never heard of before, but am instantly fascinated by. Say it with me- DEMONICON!!! Check out the site at http://worldofdemonicon.com for more info.
Classic Bond fans rejoice, Activision is releasing a new game just in time for James Bond's 50th anniversary. 007 Legends will use several classic game modes to create an original storyline that ties together six of the older films, as well as the new movie Skyfall. There have not been a lot of details released about the game yet, but Amazon has leaked both an October release date, and Kinect compatibility (sigh). Oh well, I'm just hoping that my favorite monkey, Daniel Craig, is involved.
Okay, that was fun, thanks for playing, and be sure to tune in next Tuesday for the second installment. Any advice, suggestions or tips for stories can be left in the thread, or shoot me a pm!
Fair notice: If you have a thought, an opinion, an argument or a comment that you'd like to share, feel free to do so. If this sparks intelligent discussion among gamers, at least one good thing will come out of a bad bill. However, please don't let the discussion devolve into insults or flaming other members of the site or their opinions- even ones that you think are stupid. *If you are upset by something posted, and feel the poster needs to be corrected, please direct a staff member to the thread, rather than responding in the thread.*
Keywords: H.R. 4204, Dead Island, Deep Silver, BlazBlue, Waygoz.com, Risen 2, forcible rape, Dragon Ball Z, RPG, Demonicon, James Bond, Skyfall
