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It's always awesome when traditional media outlets start talking about video games. The hosts' lack of experience and understanding of the form and game opponents obvious ideological axes-to-grind create a gigantic game of cultural Telephone, where know-nothing TV personalities invite gaming insiders to have a "debate", and each group completely misunderstands the other. Then everyone acts shocked, gets angry and yells. That's what I call informative!
Anyway, this morning, totally legitimate cable news station Fox News hosted Slash Gamer's Jon Christensen to talk Modern Warfare 2 on Fox & Friends. I guess he's one of the titular Friends. Here's how it went down:
Fox Host: Jim, you got some problems with this game?
Jim: It's mainly for adults and a well made game, but there's no doubt there's a link between violent video games and kids.
Fox Host: Jon, you essentially get to be a terrorist and kill people and it's very realistic.
Jon: You're not actually a terrorist. You're a CIA undercover agent. You are infiltrating a terrorist organization and the game specifically says, when you go into, uh, when you work with this terrorist organization. You are...um... (Jon loses his train of thought, awkward moment)... You are a...a...a...uh...a...a...a...CIA operative. (chuckles) I'm sorry.
Fox Host: Jim at what age is this game appropriate or is it ever appropriate?
Jim: The main issue with violent video games, including very well made made games like COD. There's no question there's correlation between violent games and kids blah blah*. It's up to the parent to decide whether they buy the game for their son or daughter blah blah*. You need to use common sense.
*blah blah blah added by Kotaku reader Ryan
Fox Host: I'll give you the final word, Jon.
Jon: Kids can definitely pick up the game. If parents buy it for them. I have a buddy who's a manager of a store. Little kids came in to buy the game and he asked if they were over 17. They said no, so he didn't sell them the game. Retailers are doing a good job. It's been proven time and time again.
Fox Host: You bring a violent game into a house with an 8 year old, nothing to stop that kid from playing it and becoming a terrorist...on a video game.
Jon: That's ridiculous! You're not a terrorist! It's pixelated violence! You're not a terrorist!
Fox Host: It's violence.
Jon: (closing his eyes) It's not real. It's not real.
Fox Host: Jon and Jim. The debate goes on.
The "terrorist" level of Modern Warfare 2 does raise some questions about what content is appropriate in games, but it sure wasn't made on Fox. I found the level pretty disturbing, but that's okay. That just means it worked. I don't think people should kill other people, no matter what uniforms they're wearing, but this only applies to real people. The fake people who live inside video games are fair game for anyone to murder-ize for any (or no) reason at all. But I don't want my kid to see until he's at least eight.
Do you think the fact that you're wearing a U.S. soldier outfit in MW 2 and taking out "bad" people makes the game okay for kids? Or is the point the violence itself?
Source: Kotaku
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DreamingMercenary
Fox Host: "You bring a violent game into a house with an 8 year old, nothing to stop that kid from playing it and becoming a terrorist...on a video game."
This is now my absolute favorite Fox News quote of all time. If you watch the actual news feed, that pause between terrorist and on a video game just makes me laugh. It's no big surprise that any mainstream media, let alone Fox News, would take issue with the "No Russian" level but it would seem that in this particular case there existed a drive of selling the words highlighted above to the masses. It would appear such an spectacle exists due to the rift that seems to exist between the game industries and their addicts, aka gamers, and the public and through this rift is were you find fear of the medium. I do wish Jon would have challenged Jim and Steve's arguments, not to bag on Jon to much but he did seem to be the wrong guy to be in that seat for this debate.
RaVE_Noodles
I know my elders my look at this game and others like it and see nothing but horrible actions taking place. You ask the question what kind of things are the game developers teaching our kids... So many games have been done that have covered all the past wars over and over, where there have been other acts of terrorism just not as graphical. For a Game developer to take action and put what's going on right now before the gaming community, weather it be fictional scenarios, or scenarios based on actual events that have perspired. It's helping us understand what's going on in current times while the history is being written. Written in a different way that is better communicated to a younger audience. For those appalled by what the game developers a developing, and their children are playing. I have only a few words for them. those words would be something along these lines...
Every game has a RATING kinda like a movie. Approved for certain ages. For instance this game is (M).
MATURE
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
If you're a parent buying this game for you child younger than 17 and you have a problem with the content after seeing them play, you are at fault. You have no ground to stand on, by lashing out saying that the game is awful, and developers should have to abide by certain rules so your child wont be subject to that kind of material. STOP being a PUSHOVER LETTING YOUR CHILD GET EVERYTHING THEY WANT. If you want to censor you child, do a better job. Read about it, get involved before the purchase. Companies that sell it, should make it mandatory for the parent to be present at the time of purchase, pre-order or not. Games today are like (R) rated movie. When I was a child I could not watch (R) rated movies because of sexual content, language and other material not suitable for younger audiences. The games now are the same way. If you're looking for family stuff and things like Mario stick with a wii. Everything on wii is for a younger audience with a few exceptions. Now if you are more laid back and feel your kids know what's right and wrong then an Xbox 360 or PS3 would be fine. Games on these systems are for a little bit older and mature audience. What I am trying to get across is this. If you don't like the material developers are developing, THEN DON'T LET YOUR CHILDREN HAVE IT, STAY AWAY. Find them a different hobby. If you do allow it, then do your homework on the game before you allow your child to play it. There are tones of websites out there that will tell you everything you want to know. One you may want to look at first is this one... http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ra tings_guide.jsp ... There you will find what rating best suits you and your child. As for the news, There only their to start Stuff. They'll only listen to the ones who have something to gripe about and then blow it way out of proportion. Be sure to get your own opinion on something before you dog it. Remember parents it's your job to censor you child not the other way around. Stop trying to have developers change what they do best, just to suit your needs. Thousands enjoy it, don't take things out of context before you have experienced it yourself. There will be those parents that allows his/her child to play something at to young of age, and then the child will blame their actions on it, ONCE AGAIN BEING THE PARENTS FAULT. There is one more thing. Don't look down upon your children if they enjoy video games. Just be sure to approve of the content before they play it, if at a younger age. There are a lot worse things they could be out doing, and at least there in the safety of their own home. I apologize if I offend anyone, I only speak the truth, about the one thing I enjoy the most as a hobby. Like some, sports, motorcycles, camping, fishing, Etc., are the things enjoyed. What if someone had something to say about that and tried to make changes. I'm sure you would do the same as I have done here. You would speak your opinion and tell them to go to you know where.
(NOTE)
Parents try and hide a baby monitor in your kids game room and listen to the trash talk, if they're online. 90% of the time I have some young punk trash talking me saying things that only the worst say. And I bet you'll be putting a stop to it and be more involved with anything related to the gaming community.
padoda
that mission is optional and be skipped so its reallly not a big deal and fox news is not a credited news organization by any means my college has a better news show
G4HERP
First and foremost, this entire post is coming from a mature, highly intelligent individual, (IQ 137), who has analized the content of the "No Russian" Airport Mission, and played and watched for himself. And that person is me. This is my perspective on the matter. While it is a very violent, disturbing, hard to carry out, and highly controversial mission, I think that it is crucial to the plot and must be experienced. Some find it fun, others find it appalling. But we must all remember 1 thing. ITS JUST A GAME!!! However, it is rated "M" for Mature, and for good reasons. It contains blood and gore, intense violence, drug reference, and strong language!!! This is a game about war, and WAR IS HELL!! Henceforth, this is certainly NOT an appropriate game for anyboby under the age of 17, veterans of ANY war, sensitive gamers, or deeply religious people, no matter how good the game may be!!! The ESRB rating system is important people! I should know, I work for GameStop!! Its is my job to educate gamers and new gamers about what new game, accessory, or console they are about to buy, especially games. Every GameStop employee's job depends on that 1 main principle. 1 sold "M" rated game to ANYBODY under 17, without ID or parent or guardian consent = immediate termination for that employee and all others who knew about it, including assistant store managers and even gerneral store managers!!! No joke!! Education is very important, no matter how you look at it, but several ignorant, (not stupid) people, (i.e. media, government, the church, non-gamers), judge this and many other games as decrepid, bad for our society, and, in this case, "seeding terrorists". I say BS!!! Ignorance is a far greater weapon than than any 1 religious zealot, terrorist, terrorist cell, guerilla style militia, insurgency, or actual weapon itself!!! As humans, and fellow gamers, we have to be more open minded, opinionated, and speak out against those who put a label on who we are, what we do, what we say, and in this case, what we play!!! If any of you out there saw Sessler's Soapbox, a famous quote was borrowed from a famous writter, by a reviewer of the game, and repeated by Mr. Sessler. And it fit perfectly like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle. "A book cannot be moral or immoral, only well or poorly written." -Oscar Wilde I say play the mission, if you can that is, and decide for yourselves if it was necessary to the plot and you didn't mind it at all, or if you thought that it should have never been included in the game, and you found it to be offensive. Speak out, and voice your opinions, may they be heard!!! No matter what the debate on this issue causes, the I feel that the fallout will be severe!! Personally I feel a great storm is fast approaching, and we have a choice to evacuate our homes and belongings, or ride out the storm and hope for the best. However, no one knows how bad this "storm", ("i.e. the controversy, debate, and inevidible fallout"), will be to "us, our homes, and our belongings", (i.e. future violent video games as we know them, and the entire video game industry as a whole). Lets hope and pray to the ALMIGHTY GOD that the media and true world events don't turn this controversy into a great debackle that will affect us all, and cause more games to become banned, more government run censorship, and most importantly and worst of all, lies and misconceptions based entirely by ignorance!!! Please reply to this post, and tell me what you all think about all that I have stated!! Peace out!!!
wowser715
What a crock o crap, i am 44 and have played games all my life, my son is 15 and has done the same.i have raised my son to be non violent and have never sheltered him from much of anything. he plays GTA 4 and other violent games and he knows the difference between games and reality. you would have to be raised in a screwed up house to even think that what you do in a game is in any way reality.if you keep your kids away from this type of game they will find a way to play it, bank on it! play the games with your kids and explain that it is just a game, belive me they know.
jon_force
Steven you talk about Fox News having an ideological axe to grind, yet you do the same thing in your posts. Another lefty hypocrite, join the club.
MeisterShane
Maybe Im missing the point but the game does say it is RATED M. Just like rated R movies,rated M games are for people over age 17.USE YOUR COMMON SENSE PEOPLE.Don't act like your retarded,The kid age 8 should not be playing this game,thats where the parents are to be parents to the kids not the game developers.RETARDED FOX HOST
Trityler
Why is it that as soon as I saw this artical title I knew that Stephen was the one who wrote it? Still, I'm sure IW knew they would be stirring up stuff with that scene. But it's not like this is the first time a player has been given a chance to mow down civilians...although perhaps never in as realistic setting until now. I just hope this dosen't come back to bite the gaming community.
Farlo
This is bull. Parents can easily regulate what their children play. Mine don't, and although I'm 16, they realize I am able to make the connection that electrical signals and flashing images ARE NOT REAL! I hate how whenever someone who is sick in the head or just nuts kills people, and he happens to have an Xbox or whatever in his house, the Media blows it up into another huge "Video Games make our children killers" deal. No matter what the subject, there will always be extremists. Just like there are very slim, but dangerous reactions to medications we all take, there are some people, who for whatever reason, cannot deal with it. If you know your child cannot deal with these things, Don't let them get the game for crying out loud, and if you don't know whether they can or not, maybe you should pay attention. It is ridiculous for game companies, movie studios, etc to dumb down or make their products nicer in order to make sure those 5 people out of 300 million don't do stupid stuff.
Canid117
I can't wait to see Adam Vs. Fox and Friends
This first guy they grabbed from SlashGames was terrible but Adam is probably going to destroy them
badATchaos
fox news is your greedy blind conservatives.
o_NIGHT_TRAIN_o
Fox news is stupid. I have to say the terrorist level did it's job and it was disturbing killing unarmed people.
scorpian876
I knew that Fox News would go after Modern Warfare 2. They should shut the hell up!
I am a Veteran and I was a special forces soilder and Fox News is attacking my favorite game!
They should realize people do not become violent by playing video games, they have to expierence real
violent situations to become violent!
pipspoolcleaning3
Just watch Penn and Tellers BS episode on video game violence. It;s interesting and entertaining. It's also funny how the government put a huge budget into researching video game violence and its relation to actual violence in kids and people and the researchers involved found NO connection. The funding was dropped and research pushed under the rug. Watch the episode. It's good.
jcbry
I don't understand why videogames always are attacked for violence, it's in everyday life. Thats like saying if I let my kid watch the news then their exposed to violence so blame the news stations. Also thats going against the military because they go to war and kill people. You don't hear people complaining about those things all the time and try to regulate it. It's a videogame, it's not real, watching the news about a murder thats real and the news stations give the videogame industry crap for what they call violence when no one gets hurt. If parents dont want there kids to play it, then they need to be real parents and make sure they don't play it, it's that simple.
BlackStarNova
The greatest factor is a child's maturity to comprehend it. And since that varies from child to child, there is no absolute solution to this problem. If parents really have a an issue with their child with violence, playing a terrorist, or whatever, then they need to step up and actually be parents. I don't know about the ps3 but I do know the 360 has parental controls on it that lock out games past a certain rating. Use it and quit being lazy, irresponsible and expecting government legislation to do your parenting for you.
alexdotlee
I'll be honest, the mission where you are pretending to be a terrorist was my favorite
Rebel57
Drithe holly poo calm down. we know u love the USA and all but the government and our military are not always the good guys, through out reason history we have taken over countries, and put a leader that supports us, but almost every time it turns into a dictatorship and he goes on a murderous rampage. and like the military is ever really moral, we did horrible things in Vietnam and im absolutely sure that we are doing them now. we just wont hear about them for another 50 years. We are not the good guys, we are only the ones left standing. i mean we were the a-holes in WW 1 and 2, we only got involved when it directly affected us. we knew exactly what nazi germany was doing and didnt do anything. So dont paint our government as the goo guys who protect the world from evil and never do anything wrong cause we arnt and i wouldnt be surprised if the airport level happen tomorrow, i would be sad but not surprised
Greibach
I love how the rating system here has also gone from putting a negative on something that is not constructive to giving a negative because you disagree with their point of view. Way to go.
Drithe
Here is what gets me. That airport scene depicts an AMERICAN SOLDIER willing to kill hundreds of innocent civilians all in the name of infiltration and getting thier man. NO AMERICAN SOLDIER WOULD EVER BE ALLOWED TO COMMIT SUCH AN ATROCITY AS THIS JUST TO GET THEIR MAN!
For Activision to allow this message of ...... THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS is what AMERICA is all about is absolutely insane and unjust!!
This is not Mario throwing a fireball. This is a very graphical game. This game has a real atmosphere to it. It gave me the creeps when I first saw the airport scene.
Look. Maybe if this scene would have just played out by itself like a movie, instead of actually letting the player kill innocent civilians then this would have been in good taste IF there was no american soldier involved, just all terrorists. I could have even lived playing AS a terrorist because I know that I myself am not one and that I was just playing a part. But I can understand why alot of people wouldnt even want this. Why? Because there are alot of people out there that are looking for confidence to do this sort of thing in real life and this scene could certainly give them all the encourangement they need to do so. Young children WILL get a hold of this and they are VERY IMPRESSIONABLE.
Again I must say, to put in that scene that an american soldier would kill innocent civilians to get their man is very dangerous, very unrespectful to our forces, and not very responsible. In my opinion, this is just very bad taste.
Listen. Games are not just for kids and I, being an old timer gamer, know this. Alot of the people here in america who thinks games are just for kids are starting to realize this too. However as games mature so do the people who make it need to mature. They need to be responsible for what they make and how they present it.
Movies and music are held responsible for what they do and if the gaming industry ever truly wants to grow up they will have to be as well. The gaming industry is on notice now. No longer can you make what you want and hide behind the wall of ..........."It is just a game."
Tell that stuff to the guys who make RAPE VIDEO GAMES. Im sure they say, DUDE IT IS JUST PIXELS COME ON!
End of Line.
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