Violent vs. Nonviolent videogames
By: Sean Cavanagh
Teens around the world, like me, like to play the occasional match of Call of Duty or hop on Grand Theft Auto and roam around the city stealing cars, shooting cops, and anything else illegal we can think to do. Many will shrug off the violence and say it’s just a videogame, it doesn’t matter, it’s not real life. Others say violent videogames are corrupting the young minds of America and will turn us all into serial killers. I will agree there are some videogames that cross the line in my opinion, but I feel it is the parent’s responsibility to choose what games their children play and what they don’t.
I think the main reason kids play videogames is to pass the time on a rainy day or they are just plainly bored and have nothing else to do. Others grab a controller so they can play with their friends, even when they cannot come over. The attraction for me to violent videogames is that it’s not boring and keeps me actively thinking. They are a way for me to stop worrying about some of the downsides of life and just have fun. I admit most of the games in my “library” are rated M for violence. Most of them have blood, extreme violence, and mature content that some suggest should not be viewed by persons under the age of 17. I feel that these are the main attractions of these games.
Although there are many nonviolent videogame alternatives that have been highly praised by game critics. If one were interested in a strategy game with a first person shooter aspect he or she should try one of the two games in the Portal series. I would have to say this would be one of my personal favorite nonviolent videogames. In portal the goal is to try to escape Aperture Laboratory’s testing facility. The character is a test subject and he has to make his way through the levels trying to reach the brain of the operation, a computer named GLaDOS. Portal is available for the Microsoft Xbox 360, the Sony Playstation 3, some Windows computers, and Mac OS X computers. The only other nonviolent videogame I have thoroughly enjoyed playing is Mario.
If parents are wondering what system they should buy for mainly nonviolent videogame content, they should check out the Nintendo Wii. I find that the Wii is more so geared towards the younger generation of children. The Wii works off a mechanic where the buyer controls the game via movement with 2 handheld controllers, the Nunchuck and Wii Remote. There is a game that will come with the Wii called Wii Sports, which is a game with many sports already comprised on one disc. The Wii is also made by the makers of the popular videogame series Mario. I think the Wii would be a great choice for younger gamers and for anyone who wants to do a little exercising while they play a game trying to have a good time.