The gaming industry has been a lucrative asset to the global community for over two decades and we are continuing to see growth and mass production of this worthwhile enterprise. Where ever you go in the world, you will see, hear, or play videogames regardless of what country you are standing in. Since the launch of such consoles like Atari, Nintendo, Genesis, Colecovision, and many others, videogames have flourished into a mainstream genre with a variety of games, accessories and systems to satisfy the need of any videogame advocate from any age range.
All of this good buzz about videogames has its few disadvantages that in some cases have crumpled the industries image. Lawsuits for the content of some videogames have been causing commotion through out the industry. Such examples are governmental agencies and legislators trying to "crack down" on the industry with "videogame bills" that will assure the parent and their children the safety from those videogames that have violence. In recent news, the conviction of three men killing six people over an eviction from their home and also a Xbox 360 system has brought a new wave of oh's and ah's from parents, legislators and grimy lawyers trying to pick pocket some of the industry's leading game developer companies.
Situations like these where adults and children go into rapid rampages over certain accessories that pertain to the gaming industry have been occurring for awhile in the States. What are the causes for these individuals involved in these crimes to act in such rage and violence over a genre that is enjoyed from many different angles? Not all videogames that are created contain violence or gore that would cause a person to jump to the streets and cause havoc. Although, a few times with road rage, I wish I was in Grand Theft Auto, but I would never attempt to do anything to harm someone else over a game or a system.
In the past I have stumbled across periods where some of my prized gaming possessions had been stolen or sold for the municipal purposes of others. My brother sold my ol' school, original gray box Nintendo with a collection of 30 games, two joy's, the "NinGun", and the running pad for "Track Meet". I was completely devastated and wanted to cause pain on his arse, but I chilled out and got him for his Sega when he went off to school. My ex stole my PS1 and a couple of games from me…so in the end I stole some of his things. My point being is that videogames are a form of interactive entertainment for you and your television, phone, or handheld. Just because it says interactive entertainment, does not mean that they want you interact with what you do in a game with what could be done in real life.
The gaming industry creates games that can pertain to different age groups and playing styles. Some games are created for playing card games or drift racing. The industry has even created games that can appeal for simulated life such as the "The Sims" and games such as "The Great JuJu Challenge" which was created by Nickelodeon and geared for younger fan base are always. Videogames are not influential and will not cause anyone to go to the streets and cause chaos.
Since several of these incidents have occurred involving the interactive entertainment business, top-dollar gaming developing companies such as Take-Two, Paradigm Entertainment, Rockstar and a list of other companies have been hit hard with lawsuits and accusations from victims of the families that have been involved with these crimes. In the past few years, Congress has even stepped in on these "Videogame Crimes" and have installed the ESRB rating system. That same system has been applied to cable television shows and also on the covers of videogames to assure parents a proper channel to wean out children buying or playing "R" or "M" rated material. Legislators in California, Maryland and few other states have went as far as to passing a "Videogame Bill", that will make game developer's stop producing games that contain violent or adult content.
The last time I recalled, Tommy Vercetti or Carl Johnson did not drive to Tennessee or Florida and start firing rounds into heavy traffic or murdering people. The law suits that are filed against the gaming industry from families that have been victims to these brainless crimes are out to gratify their financial needs from this beneficial industry. They instead lose track of figuring out a way that can benefit both parties to rid these hideous crimes from children and adults who cause them.
All in all, in my opinion, to prevent future crimes such as the Tennessee shootings and the Florida murders, parents of these young adults need to take proper action in knowing what your child is doing and where they are going. I know that you can not be around your child 24/7, but by showing your child obedience and the respect that a parent is supposed to show from parent to child, maybe some of these issues can be controlled. Gaming companies who create these games and also the companies that create the consoles need to have a louder voice when it comes to marketing their products. If you have to put ESRB ratings on every game that sell, how hard is it to advertise responsibility for playing a game? Word of advice….the "Truth" ads works….on some.
Teschia L. Blakley