Editorial: The Attack on Gaming

I am a video gamer and more specifically a video game writer. As such I have a vested interest video games and I have seen the industry I like to call myself a part of attacked by many people, from Opportunistic politicians to outraged and misinformed parents whose rage has been sparked by narrow minded mainstream news reporting. The situation would be much better and less tense with but a little more information distributed to both sides.

I am a firm believer in the Entertainment Software Ratings Board(ESRB) and I think that rather than attacking the developer of adult-themed games, these groups and politicians should strive to keep parents better informed. The ESRB ratings are there for a reason, to warn parents of game content, and if parents don’t heed a warning that clear they have little right to complain, let-alone sue (like the grandmother who bought Grand Theft Auto San Andreas for her 14-year old grandson). What Rockstar did to trick the ESRB was underhanded, but not the act of evil it’s being made out to be. The facts are clear: the “Hot Coffee” mini-game is only accessible in the PC version and only through a modification. The parents who are suing have already bought the game for their underage kids, and some for platforms where the content in question is not even accessible. It is terrifying to me when a society can say that they don’t mind their children experiencing intense virtual violence but experiencing virtual sex is unacceptable. The only person who has a right to sue in this situation is a 17-year old who bought the PC version, does not want sex in their game, and has had the mod magically put onto their computer. In responding to this outcry retailers have done the only thing they can do to appease the angry misinformed; pull the game in a knee-jerk reaction that solves nothing.

Meanwhile, people like Jack Thompson and Senator Clinton fan the flames more to further their careers and notoriety than to protect anyone. The best way to protect is to inform, and protesting will accomplish nothing against a resilient foe. When did our society start believing that parents can’t be held responsible for what their children do? An era of lawsuits has placed blame on those who don’t deserve it, be it video game makers or coaches who don’t pick a kid for a team. I do not think groups like “Peaceoholics” have a right to demand anything from Rockstar or any other game maker, whether it is forcing them into selling their games in certain stores, pay for the unrelated actions of others, not make a game, or, most ridiculously, make a national apology. Their goals could be better accomplished by attempting to inform parents, not setting them upon a video game developer, then again, nothing brings out the news cameras like protest against a popular enemy.

In the end the game industry must put trust and resources towards making the ESRB more viable and useful to consumers, and the protesting groups and politicians must take a higher, less newsworthy ground by making sure all game consumers know, understand, and use the ratings them to find what’s right for them and their kids. Information, not protest, will solve the problem.

Zack Rovinsky