| GribbleGrunger said: I really do think there's a conversation about this but for some reason we can't really have it on gaming sites. The media demonise all games by focussing only on shooting games or violent games in general so we always get a scewed view of the points they make, but there ARE legitimate points they make. To exaggerate a point to make one, imagine GTA with photorealisic graphics. Now imagine walking up to a woman pushing a pram, seeing the photorealistic infant swaddled in a blanket, pulling out a shotgun ... You get the picture. There IS a line there and we have to be very careful not to cross it, especially in VR were the main focus is creating the illusion of reality in order to convince the brain what we're experiencing is real. We can't accept that VR gives us real world feelings and ignore the possibility of influencing negative real world feelings too. I think it is time to consider the potential psychological effects of certain gamers. |
I think this is a good place as any other to discuss such matter, but we can take it to our walls or private messages if you prefer. Regarding what you say, and as an (almost) journalist myself, I know that the media has to follow the influx of information by creating an issue where there is none. To achieve such purpose, violent games are always their favourite toy. Some of the points made are legitimate, others, not so much. But since they can pull the correct strings from the beginning, people can be gullible enough to eat whatever lies may come after. Videogames have the potential to be manipulative, in a real-life context, but they also have the power to be helpful.
I don't see what's the problem about killing a photorealistic fictional infant. He's a bunch of code lines. Unless you're trying to pull some kind of fourth-wall breaking on me, and make me realize codes have feelings too (Something I doubt GTA would pursue, though you never know), I don't really see the problem. Heck, I'm no fan of GTA, but I'd lie if I said I wouldn't try a photorrealistic Manhunt in VR. I know VR is trying to give me a real feeling, but it's not real. I can use my suspension of disbelief, but that's pretty much it. People who cannot distinguish real from false after playing with it shouldn't be trying them anymore. It's like people who have heart problems; you shouldn't be playing horror games, but if you do, you know the things that might happen.
As far as manipulating behaviour goes, there's potential in VR danger, but it's the same danger that has always been present in mankind's history throughout their empirical culture. Books, songs and movies; they all have the potential to manipulate people's behaviour (think Mein Kampf). They create the illusion of a particular truth, that people can fall victim of. The potential psychological effects on certain people is always a thing to bear in mind; but as far as being fictional media, you just can't go "too far" with them, or elsewhere you're limiting someone's own culture work.
That being said, considering the tone of this conversation, you reminded me of a particular phrase in one of the best conversations in any fictional media, ever:
