Fantastic news that David and Richard Darling, co-founders of game developers Codemasters, were both made Commanders of the Order of the British Empire for their services to the computer games industry. I was a massive fan of BMX Simulator, Jet Bike simulator and Micro Machines. Not only we're they wonderfully addictive and innovative but I'm sure Jet Bike was where I first heard computers simulate speech. Sure the Queen's grandchildren were instrumental in her enjoying a good frag-fest.
However, not everyone in positions of power and authority are so enlightened. As games become more financially successful and popular the charges levelled against them grow louder. Although often based on an outdated understanding of what gamers do when they sit down to play I thought it would be useful for my ongoing research into GTA that I aggregate some of the more aggressive and prevalent anti-games organisations and spokespeople.
The Mothers Against Videogame Addiction and Violence organisation
Over the weekend, I stumbled apon an absolute gem of a website called MAVAV (Mothers against videogame addiction and violence). This is a group of collective mothers that in the intrest of their childrens safety try to spread warnings about violence in videogames and the possibilty of addiction. The reason I like this website so much however is just how over the top it is. They are firm supporters of Jack Thompsons crusade against gamers and will back him even on his most wild of claims. Here are some of the real corkers from the facts page:
Video games are proven to prevent proper development of social interactive skills which is needed for a happy enjoyable life. Gamers who pick up a controller very early in their lives are the most prone to life long burdens such as long term depression and sadness.
Psychological studies have proven that, even the most casual teen gamers are affected by video games and suffer from low self esteem issues compared to their more athletic and social peers. The studies also revealed, younger gamers were more likely to become lifetime addicts and social outcasts.
Perhaps their best work can be found under Resources. If you're trying to diagnose a bout of video game addiction in your brood look no further than their school report card:
A typical report card of a gamer:
| English |
Poor |
| Mathematics |
Excellent |
| Science |
Poor |
| Social Studies |
Poor |
| Typing Class |
Excellent |
| Physical Education |
Poor |
National Institute on Media and the Family
According to it's website The National Institute on Media and the Family is "the world's leading and most respected research-based organization on the positive and harmful effects of media on children and youth". Unlike MAVAV it seeks to monitor and report on all media it deems harmful to children and families. Led by Dr. David Walsh it has emerged as one of the most prominent critical voices directed at the video games industry. As an organisation it has been heavily involved in lobbying US politicians and retailers to protect children from killographic and sexual content.
NIMF is perhaps best known for its publicity and community outreach arm MediaWise. Yearly they offer a video game report card provides a snapshot of the interactive gaming industry with a focus on issues related to the welfare of children and teens. The 2007 report highlights incluide how "complacency on the part of retailers and parents, appears to have caused a backslide in ratings awareness and enforcement" and "irresponsible" public libraries and churches resorted to using video game tournaments with popular Mrated (Mature) video games, like Halo 2 to attract younger people.
Lion and Lamb Project
Although now disbanded, the
Lion & Lamb Project was an initiative by American parents, providing information about the effects of violent entertainment, toys and games on children's behaviour.
Daphne White, L&LP director was instrumental in lobbying congress for tighter regulation of computer games in May 2003.
Some useful quotes relating to GTA
If someone on the street offered to teach your children to decapitate their enemies, physically abuse women, and assassinate world leaders, you would probably call the police. But when a video game manufacturer provides the same 'service', many parents are actually paying for their children to get a tutorial in violence and depravity. And instead of calling the police for help in many popular games your kids will be killing police.
State Rep. Fred Morgan (R-Oklahoma City), The Muskogee Phoenix 12/5/05
Nine times out of 10, when you're blowing people's chests open with hollow-point bullets, you aren't playing as a terrorist or criminal. No, you're playing as a cop, a soldier or a special-forces agent -- a member of society's forces of law and order...yet anti-gaming critics didn't really explode with indignation until Grand Theft Auto 3 came along -- the first massively popular modern game where the tables turned, and you finally played as a cop-killing thug. Why weren't these detractors equally up in arms about, say, the Rainbow Six series? Because games lay bare the conservative logic that governs brutal acts. Violence -- even horrible, war-crimes-level stuff -- is perfectly fine as long as you commit it under the aegis of the state. If you're fighting creepy Arabs and urban criminals, go ahead -- dual-wield those Uzis, equip your frag grenades and let fly. Nobody will get much upset.
Clive Thompson - The Bad Lieutenant - Wired 11.21.05
