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In the music industry, when CDs contain profane or suggestive lyrics, we see a big white-and-black “Explicit Content” warning.
In the film industry, censorship comes in the form of a ratings system. An R-rating is typically deemed the most extreme of mainstream cinema while a G-rating is appropriate for all audiences.
However, within these common forms of entertainment it is a common fact that they are protected under the first amendment of free speech.
These entertainment media are a form of expression and are protected as such.
Bearing this in mind, it is logical to assume that the video game industry would be privy to such protections in our society.
However, a rising trend in politics is to aim the barrel of censorship directly at video and computer games. Many people feel that video games should have stricter laws concerning their distribution because children might be affected by their content.
In the news we hear of mentally disturbed youth going on shooting sprees and in the same breath it is common to hear that a certain video game is the only possible explanation to the individual’s imbalance.
Video games currently do not share the same protections as other mainstream forms of media such as movies, music and literature.
The public has a difficult time wrapping its head around the notion that a video game is an expressive form of entertainment. Why, if a video game can tell an engaging narrative, does it not garner the same attention as film?
Some will argue that a video game can tell a much more intriguing story due to its interactive element. It therefore becomes the player’s decisions within the game that drive the plot rather than the game designer’s influence.
One of the major misconceptions of the public’s perception of the video game industry is that video games are for children and children only.
If a video game is geared toward children, it is logical to also think a game with violent themes or explicit language should be attacked to protect the children.
The video game industry currently operates under the discretion of a board known as the ESRB, which stands for Entertainment Software Ratings Board.
This group is responsible for viewing video game content and attaching an appropriate rating to it. The ratings begin with “E” for everyone and extend to “T” for teen, “M” for mature and the rare “AO” for adults only.
With the presence of a rating system in the video game industry the question of who then becomes responsible for protecting children from games with inappropriate content arises.
Parents probably wouldn’t approve of an R-rated movie, so they probably shouldn’t approve of an M-rated video game.
It therefore becomes the parents’ responsibility to monitor the content of a video game and judge for themselves whether it is appropriate for their children.
It is interesting to note that the current demographic market for video game sales isn’t even children.
The industry understands that mature consumers represent the largest group of gamers. Video games are being marketed to a mature generation with a small amount of game marketing aimed at children. The video game industry is a growing form of media that demands the same type of rights as other forms of media.
Video games are a brilliant way to portray a story and the games are an expressive outlet to more and more storytellers.
Examples of this are found in Hollywood when more and more movies are based on video game franchises and a large amount of video games are fully orchestrated and employ professional voice acting.
Therefore, as an expressive form of artistry and storytelling, why shouldn’t the video game industry enjoy the same rights as other similar forms of media?
I think the best answer to this question is that we as a society still seem to need a scapegoat when things start following a downward spiral.
The point is simple; ratings systems for video games are there for a reason.
As a parent this holiday season it is important to be aware of a game’s content before purchasing it for a child.
The content rating on the front of the game case will help in making the decision.
C. COLT CRANE
Arbiter Staff