Violence and Video Games: A RETROspective

Hello Everyone!

Anyway, I wanted to open up on my views regarding violence and video games by stating that I don't believe I can aptly discuss such a subject with one brief blog entry. So, I will start off with this primer and then continuously augment my views as I write more posts. In other words, you, the reader, will surmise my views on violence and video games as more and more posts come out.

All of that said, here's my very basic view on how violence can be defined in video games: violence is largely defined by the depicted act and the intent of the act. Much is made of the results of violence: the gore, the blood, death. Of course, the aftermath of violence is important and all too prevalent in many of the video games made today. Heads being blown off, body parts strewn about, and other graphic depictions of the aftermath of violence are more often used to define how "bad" violence is. However, I think that violence is more about how it is committed and, more important, why it is committed.

Take an NES game like Contra. You've got two guys with big guns (upgradeable, mind you), shooting up bad guys and alien creatures. I break it down like this: each act of violence is depicted by weapon fire hitting a foe and the foe falling into oblivion; and, ostensibly, the intent of each act of violence is "saving the world," or "getting the bad guy out of the way," or "to get out your aggression on a virtual foe," or whatever. At a glance, Contra is admittedly violent.

Now, take any recently released military or action-themed game. You've got a big guy (or gal) with many weapons. Each act of violence is depicted with relative anatomical accuracy. The intent: could be anything. At a glance, these games are also violent.

But, let me ask: which is more violent? Contra or, say, Halo? We have to ask certain questions:

• What is my intent for playing the game? (e.g. to vicariously save the world)
  
• What is my approach to the game? (e.g. to relieve stress)
  
• How are acts of violence depicted?
• Does the realism of the act and the aftermath of the act make a game "more" violent?

Beyond these questions, as a believer in Jesus, I have to ask:

• By playing a violent game, how is the violence influencing me?
• How does it affect my witness as a believer?
• Does the violence of this game glorify or defame Jesus? (the answer is not easy, trust me)

I hope to explore these questions as I go. In the meantime, feel free to offer input. Thanks!