Opinion: Gaming, in the eyes of the media

It’s a topic that I’m sure infuriates more that just myself from atop my lofty Internet soap-box; and one that you can almost certainly guarantee to be raked over again, yearly — practically word for word — yes, I am talking about when the media discuss “gaming.”

This year, the discussion has fallen on the release of “Call of Duty: Black Ops”, a title that I sincerely doubt needs an explanation as to the content. The media, on cue, roll out the “child psychologists” who feel justified to make grand swathing assumptions on the mass gaming audience, on the basis of isolated cases — literally on the scale of one in a million — where individuals have acted upon what they’ve seen, done and experienced in the virtual world, for acts of real — and lets be frank, now — evil.

Tarring with the same brush comes to mind, and the discussion should not be on the ban of certain games or the diluting of creativity, no matter how base the genre and content; the discussion should be on how we can help those individuals, on the how and why they feel the way they do.

For the masses, gaming is a hobby; a lifestyle that we eat, breathe and sleep in the exact same fashion as a football or general sports fan. Where the line becomes unhealthy is the same with anything, regardless. Many of us play to wind down after a long, hard day — to escape from the mundane and do the extraordinary that we can’t do in our day to day: be that being a race car driver; a sorcerer in a mystical land; a solider on the front line; a mob-boss.

It’s fantasy, a release; the only difference is that it’s pixelated and not found at the bottom of a wine glass or in a good book while soaking in the bath. It’s not real, and most, if not the vast majority, know that. The argument, yes, is that we have direct control over what we do in the gaming world; but we need to think of this on the same level as going to the cinema. You go and see a horror movie; afterwards you’re not inclined to go and take someone hostage and perform bloodlust acts akin to the challenges from the “Saw” franchise. You’re as much engrossed in the film on screen as you are when playing a game, and both come to a cut off point where they must end — be that with the credits rolling, or saving and turning off your console for the night.

As very much said, there are indeed those individuals who can’t turn off for whatever reason, and that reason is enough to warrant help. If it’s a mental health issue, then anything could have been a trigger to exacerbate their condition. If it’s just a case of not knowing right from wrong, well, it’s easy to point blame.

Discipline and proper social behaviour starts at home. It’s a fundamental foundation of our society. Now, I don’t claim to be a shining beacon of wholesome humanity — no one can, we all have our moments — but I was brought up to be respectful and considerate of others, and guess what? I watched “Nightmare of Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” when I was six. What does that say about me? What does that say about my parents? Irresponsible? It’s no ones’ business but our own. I would not have seen it if they didn’t think I wasn’t ready or responsible enough to understand what I was viewing. I was never deliberately or accidentally exposed to something that scarred me, or gave me some kind of childhood trauma. You could even say I came from a broken home as my parents divorced when I was young, and how did I turn out? Absolutely fine. I agree that these are all factors that “can” contribute to a frame of mind where children become so desensitised by whatever content, that they don’t feel the moral pangs when considering an action; but it just simply is not the case for everyone.

When I was underage, I played “Manhunt” and “Grand Theft Auto” — the two releases that are so oft the go-to-titles for social dissection on the television. I have played hundreds of violent titles over my gaming career, if you want to call it that; and if the experts are right, I should be so desensitised that I’m practically numb and devoid of conscious. I derive no sick pleasure from murdering virtual avatars. There is no high for me from which I cannot come down from. Beating a game? Sure, be proud that you’ve seen something through to its end; but when all is said and done, even in my grumpier moments, does the thought of imitating “art” even once occur to me? Am I tempted to take up a bag and choke someone from behind in the street? Most definitely not.

Let’s face it: if children want it, they will get it hell or high water, one way or another. It’s an inevitability, and if you’re a parent who feels the need to protect their child (and what parent doesn’t?), then fine; that is your sole call to make. You are being responsible no matter what, even if for that instance you’re viewed as the bad guy in your childs’ eyes; but I put it to those parents who feel so inclined: would it not be more responsible for you to show and explain to your child what they are seeing? It’s the same as the old “sex talk.” It’s so easy to justify wrapping up children in cotton wall, but if they’re not exposed to something, even moderately, then don’t expect them to react accordingly as how you or I would. However, if the parent is with them and introduces them to these kind of images, surely it’s got to more cathartic than, say, if the child goes to a friend’s house and is a witness to a violent game and is so unprepared to deal with what they’re seeing?

As to the conversation about addiction, well, it’s moot. If you’ve got an addictive personality, then you’re susceptible to any form of addiction, be it from drugs, alcohol or games.

Gaming should be applauded for what beneficial skills it does provide. As I’ve said in the past, “World of Warcraft” has been a fantastic way of improving my own team-playing, communication, management and people skills. Gaming should be applauded for its contribution to the economy. Gaming should be applauded and decorated for its sport and art, as any Turner Prize winner or sports team winning a cup.

If the final argument the media wishes to make is about age rating and content, and how gaming effects the younger generations — and from the British media, it is — then ultimately it is down to the parents decision as to whether they feel that their child is both of an age and mindset, where they can be trusted and responsible enough to see the game for what it is: a game.

About Rob

Rob Kidman is an aspiring writer, have-a-go designer, avid tea drinker and geek from birth. Oh, and he’s British. What he doesn’t know about Doctor Who, isn’t worth knowing. Sends text messages in full, perfect grammar, no matter if it costs an extra 10p, as he believes txtspk to be an affront to the Queens’ English. Partial to cheese and pickle, random gherkins, and a fan of the miniature sombrero.

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