Video game related news seem to be getting a little bit more attention than usual in our press these days. First up was the couple of guys who got swindled after thinking that they could get Sony Playstation Portable consoles at a bulk discount.
More recently the president of the Consumer Association of Penang wrote a letter to the News Straits Times abhoring violence in video games and expounding the fact that kids can pick up violence from video games. What I’m disappointed about is that some people, and the president of CAP fail to understand that, video games have evolved to a point like film, no longer catering for kids, but for adults.
While I agree that violent video games can be a cause for concern, a ban is not feasible; might as well we start banning anything that even hints at violence and start living a hermit existence.
I do feel that parents a bigger role their parts in ensuring that their children are not exposed to such games and educating kids on moral values and such. Parents should also make it a point to research games that they are about to purchase. I doubt anyone would want to give their 12-year old a M-rated game that contains “Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol, Blood, Intense Violence“.
It’s funny how CAP articles sometimes urge people to read the labels on grocery items and the one thing S.M Mohamed Idris and most parents have failed to do is to read the ratings label.
I thought you guys were out to create conscious, concerned, and committed consumers?
I would love to see an article publish by CAP on how to purchase video games instead of trying to be a moral policeman going about asking stuff to be banned (on supposedly moral grounds). You can start your research by reading those labels, Mr. Mohamed.
Wow, 2 guys (Nick and including you) wrote about how vocal that guy is, and he just doesn’t know that you both are explaining to this. In fact, there are lots of gamers, who also are parents, that are mad at him.
Does he have a personal email or just a contact that I could talk to the guy? I’d really like to. Besides, with his help, I bet we can waste more cash and create a Malaysian rating system without having to consult the ESRB. Besides, if there’s even 1 curse word in the game, Malaysian would go with an M rating. Partial nudity, Adult Only. Do you see my point?
For the sake of surrendering to my kiasu side (apparently people born in Singapore have that), I blogged first! Haha.
Anyways, the thing about creating a Malaysian rating system is that games will be subjected to the same treatment as films. What happens to a gory scene, the f-bomb or even the appearance of a naked stripper in a game?
No game developer will be willing to accomodate the requests of an overzealous censorship board, unless of course you have the market size of China.
Seriously, do you want the game you purchased messed with?
Exactly. Heck, I’ve lamented hellishly on how the censorship in this country has actually gone way overboard by ruining my fave film (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) when the audience should know what to expect. If you have a rating’s system, enforce the theater and the warning. Not take away the scenes that matter.
Also, we shouldn’t be like Australia. But that’s just how I see it.
Hmm. Movie theater owners here would be up in arms.But how’s Australia like?