Thursday, February 12, 2009

When Games Go To Far

There is an article over on Jezebel about a Japanese game in which the purpose is to rape women. I posted my thoughts in the comment section of that site which I am reproducing here:

Oy. I knew this would come out someday to bite gamers in the ass. I'll be the first to admit I have known these games have existed. I agree with people who say that this product is filth. As a person who not only considers himself a gamer, but a hardcore gamer, I agree with the people who argue that it is worse in games because you are in control. However, I believe that we need a carefully measured response.

I know many people are angry, and I understand. This kinda of game is horribly perverse. I wholeheartedly agree that Amazon should not be selling this game. I don't think any retailer in his right mind should sell this game. However, that being said, I think that's where we need to stop.

I know people want to ban this game and those like it, but ban is an awfully broad term. Like I said, I don't want this game sold anywhere, but when you start banning things, you create metrics by which to judge games on whether they should be banned. That's a large problem, especially in for games. Gaming has an interesting track record with being accepted by the mainstream public.

Right now, there are debates going on about whether games are constitutionally protected free speech. As gamers, our medium is the current "seducer of the innocent". There are people who are constantly trying to regulate or ban the sale of games (Jack Thompson). I understand that some games should not be in the hands of children, but the people who are trying to regulate games today have a draconian view of gaming culture that leads them to believe all games are evil.

In other mediums such as films, books, etc., we recognized those entries that are too extreme, and we correctly categorized them as pornography. Now, I'll agree this is probably the single worst piece of pornography you'll come across. I'll even concede that it might be so vile that it even rises above pornography to a new level. However, we need to be careful how we define these limits and categories legally.

When we get down to the nitty-gritty, it get awfully dangerous when we talk about what can and cannot be in games. While I agree it okay to draw lines, right now the people who can draw lines really do not know where to draw them, and do not care to learn where the lines should be drawn.

I 100% agree rape should never be an act a player can carry out in a game. However, the question of whether or not rape can happen at all as part of the story arises. I'm sorry if it offends people, but I think that just as it's okay to tackle rape in television, cinema, books, etc. when it is done tactfully, it should be allowable in video games as well.

People are angry and I'm angry too. People want to prevent this game from being bought and I do too. However, when people talk about making these things into laws, I recommend caution. Remember that those holding the pen deal in broad strokes when this requires fine lines.
TIG out

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