There are few subjects that evoke extremely strong reactions in people just by simply mentioning them. Women's right to choose, firearm owners, same sex marriage and violent video games are just some of the hot button topics in the world today. As with any issue such as these there are always 2 opposing sides of the issue. One side believes that violent video games influence, and for some, cause individuals to harm themselves or others. The flip side to this is the right of free speech and artistic expression. There is one major flaw in both points of view, and that is the issue of personal responsibility.

            When people point their fingers at the gaming industry and say that game makers are the cause for people being violent is like blaming McDonalds for making people overweight. These kinds of statements suggest that if these things were not present then we would not have angry and overweight people. The reality of statements such as these is that blame is placed on someone else rather then the individual taking the responsibility for their choices.

            Game makers on the other hand, jump to the same argument every time and that is the right of freedom of expression and their right to free speech. When they make this argument they feel no sense of responsibility or obligation to change the content of some of their games. As a result they create games that will be the next big title that will make them lots of money. We live in a world where sex and violence is big business.

            There is a certain hypocrisy in the entertainment industry and society. People cheer wildly when Jango Fett was beheaded in the Attack of the clones because this is entertainment. Yet when the grand theft auto main character beheads a "bad guy" people become enraged because they feel this is inappropriate.

            The lawmakers can not pass laws on moral and personal responsibility. People need to start accepting the responsibility for their choices. Parents need to make time to listen to their kids so they can spot when a child might be having some troubles. As for the game makers, they are not going to be changing anytime soon.

            I feel that violent video games have their place in society and they are not the demons that people want to make them. The question then becomes is it better to have people express their angry feelings by playing a violent video game, or is it better to limit access to violent video games and have people express their anger towards themselves or someone else