| Wright said:
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:
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I find text chat almost impossible to use when discussing such issues though. I prefer the more organic back and forth debate with the ability to pause a conversation in order to examine a specific point. Text is too linear for a natural conversation and so more often than not simply becomes a back and forth of opinions rather than a fluent examination of the situation.
We'll leave it at that for now because for me this is a huge topic and a conversation best had over a pint.
The PS5 Exists.
