"life's like a video game: everyone's gotta die sometime."
There was some CSI ripoff show on TV that Steph and I were watching a couple nights ago, where they were investigating a string of murders that were perpetrated by a video game junkie using skills he garnered from a game called Murder 1: San Fransisco (which, judging by the name and the look of it on the show, was obviously based on Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas).
Basically, the gist of the episode was that he was emulating the game, killing cops and utilizing techniques he learned in-game, for whatever reason. It would've been an interesting episode if this guy was just crazy or something, but they painted all gamers in this light. It's like the episode was written by Jack Thompson. Honest to god, they even threw out the phrase "murder simulator". I'm surprised they didn't call their suspect a "pixelante".
The grand irony in this episode, really, is that, if I were going to commit a murder and try to cover my tracks, I would not reflect back to my time playing Grand Theft Auto or Manhunt or any one of the numerous violent video games I've played in my 23 years. I would think back to all these cop dramas that basically teach you how to commit the perfect crime. If I were to watch every criminal investigation that's dramatized on television and take notes, I would know everything not to do when carrying out a murder.
Games don't desensitize people to violence or inspire rage. It's all fantasy. The only game that has inspired rage in me has been Clayfighters for the SNES, and that's not because it's a fighting game. It's because my friend kept using that Blob motherfucker to eat me and wouldn't let me get a punch in. I threw the controller at his head and he kicked me in the chest, but we've hurt each other worse than that playing football.
I just wrote up a lengthy diatribe of politicians lobbying for censorship in the media, but I think I'm preaching to the choir here. It's late, anyway. I'll leave you with this little gem instead. If you're a gamer, chances are you've seen it already, but it's still hillarious and maddening all at once.
Basically, the gist of the episode was that he was emulating the game, killing cops and utilizing techniques he learned in-game, for whatever reason. It would've been an interesting episode if this guy was just crazy or something, but they painted all gamers in this light. It's like the episode was written by Jack Thompson. Honest to god, they even threw out the phrase "murder simulator". I'm surprised they didn't call their suspect a "pixelante".
The grand irony in this episode, really, is that, if I were going to commit a murder and try to cover my tracks, I would not reflect back to my time playing Grand Theft Auto or Manhunt or any one of the numerous violent video games I've played in my 23 years. I would think back to all these cop dramas that basically teach you how to commit the perfect crime. If I were to watch every criminal investigation that's dramatized on television and take notes, I would know everything not to do when carrying out a murder.
Games don't desensitize people to violence or inspire rage. It's all fantasy. The only game that has inspired rage in me has been Clayfighters for the SNES, and that's not because it's a fighting game. It's because my friend kept using that Blob motherfucker to eat me and wouldn't let me get a punch in. I threw the controller at his head and he kicked me in the chest, but we've hurt each other worse than that playing football.
I just wrote up a lengthy diatribe of politicians lobbying for censorship in the media, but I think I'm preaching to the choir here. It's late, anyway. I'll leave you with this little gem instead. If you're a gamer, chances are you've seen it already, but it's still hillarious and maddening all at once.