Extra Credits: Facing Controversy
I’m sure many here share the idea that books, movies, and TV shows are art. Despite what we individually may think of the given subject matter is offensive or not we’ll defend tooth and nail the constitutional protection of these media and their subject matter. However, I am unsure how many people would hold true for video games. Yes, there are some hardcore gamers and I am one of them along with the casual gamers.
So does the same artistic license apply to video games as it does to other media? My answer is yes and that it should be protected under free speech. Yet many people are put off by the idea that video games contain the same content found in major motion pictures and novels. Because most often think video games are just for kids. Though the real difference between games and other media is when the going gets tough for video games publishers they tend to run for cover rather than fight for their right to produce their art.
It’s a tough fight for those of us who care about our media, to see it grow, and expand the level of the human experience. We gamers have to stand tall with developers to ensure that what we love won’t be thrown to the wolves out of political and public expediency. To be dumb downed to protect the children from what was clearly made for adults. Perhaps we shouldn’t refer to them as games then maybe we’ll get the fair shake from the public.
I’ll leave you with these comparisons. Saving Private Ryan was a real harrowing experience when you saw it for the first time. Storming Omaha beach as one of the soldiers in one of the Call of Duty games, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. Think of some the scariest movies you sat in the dark to watch. Try that again but running into Pyramid Head in Silent Hill 2. Bricks will be shat at high velocity. Still not convinced, one of the greatest piece of science fiction ever written was centered around a series of games with the protagonist named Ender. Yes, I want video games to reach for the heights in art and experience.