How Videogames Became the Bogeyman

Tom Leupold, writing for the Inside Bay Area site, explores why videogames have become an American bogeyman. Talking with prof. Dmitri Williams, he discusses the rise, fall, and resurrection of games as a part of mainstream society. From the article: "Today, as games have once again infiltrated the mainstream, a growing number of adults are again enjoying gaming and understand there are games that are appropriate for different age groups. But that hasn't stopped crusaders from trying to censor them in the name of 'saving' the children. Williams, 34, said those under 38 have a different view of games than their elders. Most have grown up with games and, like television for the previous generation, games are embedded in their culture. "

They're just pissy

[Shadow Wrought]

'Cause all their Lemmings died.

Re:Some parent's don't like responsibility

[lawpoop]

Hey, you forgot Dungeons and Dragons. Who knows how many innocent babies have been sacrificed after their young, unwed parents learned the ritual from the Dungeon Master's handbook?

Re:38?

[DittoBox]

Note to self: avoid HL2, too many old folks. ;)

Re:Some parent's don't like responsibility

[Knara]

Not nearly enough because it's still too hard to find tasty baby meat for my sammiches in my grocer's luncheon meat aisle.

Re:How Videogames Became the Bogeyman

[Kelson]

Sometimes I find myself wondering: 10-15 years from now, am I going to be the old fogey freaking out about something new that I don't trust, but all the kids are into?

Then I think of MySpace.

Re:Bogeyman is right

[WilliamSChips]

Wouldn't that require said object to exist?

Re:Bogeyman is right

[Anonymous Coward]

What, and the magic missile does? A fictional object hits a fictional object - sounds about right to me.

Re:Some parent's don't like responsibility

[smallfries]

> a) a vast majority of buyers are over 35?

Have you ever connected to any online server, anywhere, ever? 95% of people who play games online seem to be about 12...

Re:How Videogames Became the Bogeyman

[Anonymous Coward]

In fact, I think everything that came along since the Roman Era has been the "End of Western Civilization".

Like those "Goth" type people.

Re:How Videogames Became the Bogeyman

[kalirion]

You forgot Dungeons and Dragons [chick.com].