Video Game Controversy

With the newest Grand Theft Auto title due to hit stores, a very pertinent and long standing conflict begins to flare up anew. Sex and Violence has been a part of our culture for many years, the fact that it is being incorporated into games is no new feature. There have always been politicians looking for an easy topic to spearhead for their careers, and have some form of a patsy to blame all our real world woes upon. Video games have often bore that burden on their own, and still remain strong and very entertaining.

With all the sex and violence in video games, it would be easy to place the blame on them, television, movies, and music. But in reality, art imitates life, and these games provide alot of enjoyment, relaxation, and an oppurtunity for friends to get together. The video game industry to date is the only industry which has voluntarily created a ratings system to better aid parents in deciding whether or not a title is acceptable for their children, and much like films, certain games have an 18 and over age limit. Recently video games and sex made headlines when FOX NEWS reported the recently released MMO Mass Effect, was nothing more than pixel porn mixed with copious amounts of violence. The network even went so far as to bring in an "expert" so further their claims that this game was out of line.

"Sex and Violence has been a part of our culture for many years."

Unfortunately for them, Mass Effect does no such thing. While I cannot give exact details, as I haven't played the game myself, Mass Effect does feature some risque' content, but no more racy than anything a person might see on television. The media and public at large however might be somewhat jumpy about the subject after a mod for Grand Theft Auto San Andreas came to light called the "Hot Coffee" mod which allowed players to actually witness their character having sex with another character, even going so far as to make it a form of mini game. Such a concept isn't even that new either, a game by the name of Leisure Suit Larry gave us a humorous look at the attempts for sexual conquests. In fact, the entire game was based around that concept solely. Other games which are Japanese created feature anime-esque characters which you are required to woo, then aim to seal the deal in order to score high points in their game. In the game Ganguro Girl, you play the role of the typical displaced male fighting to make his way in the world, and falling for your fellow roomates at a boarding house. You find work, earn money, buy gifts, and spend time chatting with these various women in order to raise your level much like any dungeon crawler game.

Sex always seems to take a back seat to violence when politicians and reporters are involved.

"The truth is, violence is a fact of nature and is quite natural for it to be featured in popular media."

Rockstar's smash hit Grand Theft Auto has proven to give them ammunition since the first 3-D, third person game was released during the early days of the PS2. After that came GTA:Vice City, then GTA:Liberty City Stories, followed by GTA:San Andreas. As the next GTA prepares to launch for the Xbox 360, we all hold our collective breaths to see what sort of media storm this game will create. Rumored multiplayer, character customization, and high definition graphics will only further this debate because it allows the individual to become even more violent in the game. The truth is, violence is a fact of nature and is quite natural for it to be featured in popular media. After many studies were conducted no harmful connection to video games and violence could be effectually put forth. As with anything, unstable people who may or may not have the said game may be unhinged enough to believe that the plan is a good idea, but that is no reason for the rest of us gamers being forced into rules and other restrictions to be punished simply because an unhappy child shoots up his school.

Music to Game by..

As any gamer knows, a good feature in any blockbuster game is the music. The most notable coming to mind would be the fine tunes composed by Marty O'Donnell of Bungie Studios for the Halo Trilogy which blends classical instruments with some electronica/rock elements. Music is easily a staple for any person at any point in their daily routine, and multiplayer gaming is no exception. Gamers choose music that typically gets them excited, pumped, or otherwise fired up to do what needs to be done.

My personal preferences for music vary based on the game I am playing, and whether or not I need to hear the action in the game. While playing Halo 2 multiplayer, I compiled a mixed CD that had some of my favorite music on it which would get me excited, and some has even been included the machinima series "Shadowfall" that I am working on.

1. The Outsider [resident reinholder remix] A Perfect Circle-Resident Evil Apocolypse Soundtrack {2004}
2. Bloodwork- 36 Crazyfists - Resident Evil Apocolypse Soundtrack {2004}
3. Passive- A Perfect Circle- Emotive{2004}
4. Firestarter-Prodigy-Jock Rock 2000 {2000}
5. Hypnotise-System of a Down-Hypnotise{2005}
6. Whats it feel like to be a ghost-Taking Back Sunday- Louder Now{2006}
7. Duality-Slipknot-Vol. 3 The Subliminal Verses{2004}
8. Getting Away with Murder-Papa Roach-Getting away with Murder{2004}
9. Breaking the habit-Linkin Park-Meteora{2003}
10. I'm gonna get my gun-D12-D12 World{2003}

Naturally there are more songs that could easily fit into this list, but these are the top ten that always get me fired up and ready to frag like a maniac.