In Defense of Games 81
darkwing_bmf writes to mention an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal in praise of videogames. Specifically, author Brian Anderson discusses the negative reactions videogames have gotten in the press, and why that reaction is unfounded. From the article: "The truth is, critics are often ignorant of the moral universe of video games--violent games included. Yes, the wildly popular Grand Theft Auto series, in which the gamer plays a criminal on the make in the big city, is pretty amoral. But most violent games put the player in a familiar hero's role, notes Judge Richard Posner in a 2001 Seventh Circuit appeals-court decision overturning an Indianapolis anti-video-game ordinance. 'Self-defense, protection of others, dread of the 'undead,' fighting against overwhelming odds--these are the age-old themes of literature, and ones particularly appealing to the young,' Mr. Posner observes."
Re:Video Games as the Next Art Medium? (Score:5, Funny)
Protecting our kids from the undead (Score:5, Funny)
It's good to know games are teaching our youngsters against sympathising with the undead!
I'd like to see games go further and display warnings like "Ghoulish Studies leads to bad buddies""
Re:Video Games as the Next Art Medium? (Score:2, Funny)
Or "boring," if you will. ;)
Re:Let's Ditch The Game Console... (Score:3, Funny)
Is it just me? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Games Are Good (Score:3, Funny)
Ah yes. When I got older and eventually became involved in some real urban planning, you cannot imagine how disappointed I was when I learned that just laying railroad tracks randomly across roads was not actually a valid way to alleviate traffic.