Why so serious? o.0 (Morality of video games)

Hey everyone, so I have a question that I hope can cause some discussion, and maybe even make some game companies think, and that is...

Why do video games today HAVE to have things like; Strong language, Sexuality, segguestive themes, grotesque violence,and the like?

Now I can already hear the cheap and thin reply of, "It makes it more real"... Uhh, in case no one has told you before, video games are for imagining... They aren't, or, weren't meant to be substitutes for real life. And you can get yourpoint across in the gameswithout using such things. Isn't iteasy enough to letthe playerknow a guy is mad with voice tone, volume, and subject matter? Why does he have to be swearing his head off? Does it really add anything, or does it just lower the salesof the game because it limits the audience playing the game? o.0

Another question I have, is: Why can't gaming companies put in filters? Perfect Dark back on the N64 had a filter for language, why can't these newer games have them for all of the afor mentioned things?

I mean,it is proven that clean entertainment done well sells better, I mean look at Linkin Park's first two CDs as a simple blatant example, they sold tons not only to adults and teens, but to pre-teens and younger that liked the music and their parents said "It's clean, it's well done,why not get the CD?" I mean, it's not rocket science, butI can't seem to understand it... Can someone explainto me why things are the way they are?

Thanks!

~Lildrummer10999

Believe it or not, most video games aren't predicated on the goal of being shocking or explicit. Yes, many games are designed for a mature audience, so they do feature mature themes such as violence or sex; it is then up to the individual (with the help of the ratings system, which most gamers are in favor of) to determine whether or not they want to experience those themes. But there are many more games which don't have any cussing or gratuitous violence, and in no way are those games looked down upon by developers, publishers or the community.

It's easy to just look at the blockbuster action games like Grand Theft Auto, Gears of War or Call of Duty and wonder why people seem to be so fascinated with violence, but for every one of those, there are at least as many titles which are completely mild and yet still extremely successful and popular. Games like Civilization and Age of Empires spring immediately to mind, as do a great number of racing and sports games. Even World of Warcraft, the most popular MMORPG on the planet, is fairly tame. There are also plenty of puzzle and arcade games out there (Bejeweled, World of Goo, Lumines, Geometry Wars, just to name a few) gobbling up the hours of people's lives as well.

In the end, it's all about personal choice, just like it is with movies. Mature games exist because mature gamers exist, and mature gamers enjoy all kinds of games regularly. I strongly disagree with the notion that violence and swearing are a requirement, or even so much as encouraged in game development. I think that's a really unfair argument to make, and that it paints the hobby and the industry in a very bad light.

most games aren't like that, many are but not the majority and if they bother ya don't play them, pretty simple.

There are some games where I really wish I had the option to turn off gore, because I don't particularly enjoy watching constant decapitations and dismemberment for hours at a time. Fallout 3 comes to mind.

Because there are also games that aim at a adult market and not everyone wants to play pretty pink unicorn frolicking.

Because most games are aimed at our primal instincts. Maybe that's supposed to be a kind of catharsis, or maybe it's just that they're ingredients which will guarantee a return for investors.

Empire builder and sim games still sell pretty well without sex and guns, but I agree that it would be good to see a bit more risktaking in the mix.

Morality is not an issue in a virtual world, imo.

I don't think game makers should sacrifice their artistic vision for sales or whatever other reason.

When AvP was banned in Australia, here's what the developers said:

"Rebellion is disappointed that its upcoming title Aliens vs. Predator has been banned in Australia. However, as we understand the law in that country the authorities had no choice as we agree strongly that our game is not suitable for game players who are not adults.

"The content of AvP is based on some of the most innovative and iconic horror movies, and as such we wanted to create a title that was true to the source material. It is for adults, and it is bloody and frightening, that was our intent. We will not be releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices."

i agree to some extent tc, for sure swearing and strong sexual themes are often just tacked on to make it more "adult". however sometimes it really fits the bill, if the developers are trying to portray an unpleasant location or people it can be terrific. too often though, it serves no purpose. the first kane and lynch springs to mind, there really was no need at all for all that swearing. if the characters were better developed it might make more sense, as it was it was mostly just stereotypical hard men swearing to show how tough they are.

Uhh, in case no one has told you before, video games are for imagining... They aren't, or, weren't meant to be substitutes for real life. And you can get yourpoint across in the gameswithout using such things. Isn't iteasy enough to letthe playerknow a guy is mad with voice tone, volume, and subject matter? Why does he have to be swearing his head off? lildrummer10999

Isn't it easy enough to let the player know a guy is mad with voice tone, volume, and subject matter? Why does he have to be swearing his head off? lildrummer10999

Art imitates life. :P

House of the Dead Overkill just would not be the same game without the language and violence. I would not want to play that game if it was watered down to a T or E rating.

Absolutely out of the question, sir (TC). Video games, like any form of entertainment, come in all shapes and sizes. It's not about adults being able to play less mature games (adults listening to Linkin Park), it's about knowing an audience.

I like immersion in my games. I want the atmosphere and setting to be as real as the devs could possibly make it, while retaining the excitement and fiction elements of the story. I don't want any corners to be cut because somebody might not be able to handle it. It's not that I want MORE violence, gore and sex in my games, but if those things are no stranger to the genre and setting of the story, it's almost worse *not* to have it in. If you read a story about a streetkid turned prostitute, and it's missing harsh language or you know, sexuality... something is wrong here.

I don't like censorship in general. The only form of censorship is either you see a movie/game in its raw form, or you don't see it at all. Same goes for music. I hate radio edits. If the lyrics actually mean something vital to the song, you're tearing out its heart and leaving it empty. For instance, I listen to Frightened Rabbit (great Scottish indie band). From their first albums to their newest, they did actually tone down in terms of language. There are complaints on reviews that their newest sort of lost its edge--the preceding album was about a breakup and a rough period of the singer's life.

However, I still love the album to death not only because it sounds great, but because the songs are a little more hopeful and the lyrics reflect the shift. If it was flipped the other way, and it went from happy to depressing with more adult language, I wouldn't have a problem with that, because that's what the artist is trying to convey.