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Jan 18th, 2010 at 13:31:34 - Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas (PS2) |
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This entry has been edited 1 time. It was last edited on Jan 18th, 2010 at 13:32:44.
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Jan 17th, 2010 at 14:13:54 - Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas (PS2) |
After playing the game for a few hours, I'm starting to get a better sense of what it's about. I was thinking about how CJ has been doing really unethical things. But to him, he is doing these things out of loyalty and to him that makes them morally sound. One trying to defend the game could apply ethical relativism here, saying that in San Andreas, what CJ and the Grove Street Family is doing is normal, and therefore those of us living in Chicago can't judge them.
Another thing that advocates of the game would probably argue is that CJ and his crew are merely acting out of self defense. And at first the missions are somewhat harmless. I didn't feel like tagging was a bid deal (especially because I enjoy doing it in real life). Stealing from a pizza parlor seemed wrong, but no one was really hurt. But when the mission was to beat up a crack dealer, I was really conflicted. CJs moral compass tells him that drug dealing is wrong, but he is still using violence as a way to deal with it.
Another thought that came to me was Kant's thoughts of using a person as a means to an end. CJ is acting out of loyalty, but to me it seems like his "friends" are merely using him as means to an end (getting their street cred back). CJ and everyone in the game also use women in the same way Kant would object to. The only purpose of women in this game is for the men to feel pleasure or to enjoy hurting. I don't believe that in cases like violence against women or racism, relativism should apply to the fictional San Andreas or even video games. It isn't reality, but it is still teaching values that if acted out in our society, will be punished.
One aspect of the game I find very interesting is how corrupt the police are. It made me think of the Chicago police and that history of brutality. So in some ways, this game is kind of accurate. I find that sad, but it's true.
But after taking all of these thoughts into consideration, I still can't see this game in a positive light. Last summer a popular and beloved guy who went to my high school was murdered. He was in a gang and the violence sparked over a pair of Air Jordans. Watching GTF:SA reminds me of senseless deaths like these. The guy left behind a newborn son who will never know him. So to me, glorifying this kind of violence is unacceptable. It isn't fun or glamorous.
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Jan 16th, 2010 at 00:31:10 - Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas (PS2) |
I really did not enjoy my first video game experience. Watching the intro video for GTA shocked me. It blatantly promotes stereotypes all of all races. Perceived racism aside, GTA leaves no room for ethical choices. I quickly learned that if I wanted to progress in the game, I would have to steal and kill.
From the beginning it bothered me how minorities were portrayed. Most black and hispanic people were stupid thugs. The only white person who had a speaking role worked at the pizza parlor, and he was talking in that nerdy voice people use for impressions of whites. But really, any time a character spoke, it made me cringe. It's easy to picture young people emulating what they hear. It made me think of when I first came to DePaul and was shocked to hear white suburbanites saying the "n word" to each other without pause. If someone in the city I'm from said that, it would not go down well.
The portrayal of women in this game is also ridiculous. They are stupid and seen as either sex objects or targets for violence. A friend sat with me to coach me through the game and told me to hit a woman to see what would happen. As CJ began beating her, he said "I blame society!".
What worries me about the portrayals of gender and race in this game is what it will teach the young people who play it. I know older gamers are able to differentiate between game and reality, but will young children in the suburbs understand what they're seeing? I come from a city that has gang violence, and it isn't cool or exciting. It's sad. I think this game glorifies so many things that most people don't consider ethical (i.e. killing).
The values presented in this game a messed up. CJ is trying to be loyal to his family and friends, but in order to do so he has to commit robberies and murders.
It's late now, and I'm having trouble articulating my thoughts. I think before my next entry I'll go through the class notes and see what connections I can make.
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