1. Political Issues in the Video Game Industry: Violence and Gaming Alisdair Owens

2. The Situation Video games receive a lot of negative attention in the media. Video games receive a lot of negative attention in the media. Particular emphasis on potential damage to children. Particular emphasis on potential damage to children. This presentation covers a history of violent games, the case against them, and the potential solutions to the perceived problem. This presentation covers a history of violent games, the case against them, and the potential solutions to the perceived problem.

3. Death Race Arcade game based on the movie Death Race 2000. Arcade game based on the movie Death Race 2000. Released in 1976 Released in 1976 Gameplay involved running over ‘gremlins’. Gameplay involved running over ‘gremlins’.

4. Early 80s Arcades wildly successful. Arcades wildly successful. Violent games considered a useful tool for training children by the US army. Violent games considered a useful tool for training children by the US army. First game linking sex and violence. First game linking sex and violence.

5. Early 90s Games garner consistent public attention. Games garner consistent public attention. Mortal Kombat causes congress-level debate in the US. Mortal Kombat causes congress-level debate in the US. Massively ‘gory’ fatalities Massively ‘gory’ fatalities Less violent Nintendo version relatively unpopular. Less violent Nintendo version relatively unpopular. Wolfenstein 3D banned in Germany for Nazi references. Wolfenstein 3D banned in Germany for Nazi references. Doom Doom

6. Late 90s-Current Columbine linked to Doom. Columbine linked to Doom. Carmageddon Carmageddon Grand Theft Auto 1-3 Grand Theft Auto 1-3 Adult games massively popular among children. Adult games massively popular among children. Sex/violence link. Sex/violence link. Manhunt linked to murder of a 14 year old in the UK. Manhunt linked to murder of a 14 year old in the UK.

7. The Situation Parents are worried that violent games negatively impact their children. Parents are worried that violent games negatively impact their children. Some blame misbehaviour on games. Some blame misbehaviour on games. Politicians and the media have picked up on this concern, particularly in the light of Columbine. Politicians and the media have picked up on this concern, particularly in the light of Columbine. Gamers blame parents for improper supervision. Gamers blame parents for improper supervision.

8. Evidence Large body of evidence that links violent games to short term aggression increases. Large body of evidence that links violent games to short term aggression increases. Little hard evidence of this causing long term violent tendencies. Little hard evidence of this causing long term violent tendencies. Largely theories based off work on other types of media. Largely theories based off work on other types of media.

9. The Problem Potential damage to children. Potential damage to children. Violent games clearly attract children. Violent games clearly attract children. Disparity in SEGA/Nintendo MK sales. Disparity in SEGA/Nintendo MK sales. Games are clearly getting both more violent and more realistic. Games are clearly getting both more violent and more realistic. Little legal regulation. Little legal regulation. Many parents unwilling/unable to supervise children sufficiently. Many parents unwilling/unable to supervise children sufficiently.

10. Solutions Greater parental education. Greater parental education. Limited efficacy? Limited efficacy? Stronger regulation. Stronger regulation. ‘Chipping’ consoles. ‘Chipping’ consoles. Differing regulations by country. Differing regulations by country. Doesn’t solve the issue of multiple age groups using the machine. Doesn’t solve the issue of multiple age groups using the machine.

11. Conclusion Violent games are not going away. Violent games are not going away. Chipping consoles is inconvenient, and may cause difficulties for manufacturers. Chipping consoles is inconvenient, and may cause difficulties for manufacturers. Imperfect solution: Imperfect solution: Parental education Parental education Stronger legal regulation. Stronger legal regulation.