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gamer90's Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas (PS2)
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| [January 19, 2010 12:13:57 AM]
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So I am definitely more used to the game now. I have not gotten far at all but I am realizing what I have to do more. Since I am not so caught up in figuring out how to play and what to do, I was able to focus more on the setting of the game. The main character (the character I played) was a male African American. Most people I stole cars from were Hispanic or African American. They all were dressed in typical “ghetto” clothes. The scenes in this game enforced almost every single common stereotype of Hispanic and African American minorities. As the player, you begin to control the character in ways that enforce the stereotype. The entire game focuses on forcing minority characters to act poorly. Also, in times when scenes are just being played, the minorities follow their stereotypical ways. This game is helping to enforce stereotypes. It is very difficult, and possible impossible, to succeed without enforcing unethical behavior. Now, I think that the negative connotation associated with this game doesn’t become as bad if the game is not played frequently and is played in an active state. If the player really knows right and wrong before playing the game, a few rounds will not have a bad effect and enforce stereotypes. However, if this game is played daily in a vegetative state, the players’ subconscious begins to absorb this information. Eventually the thought process that occurs in the game will start to appear in real life. As someone who does not play this on a regular basis, I do not feel this game has any effect on me. Though, it is a good thing this game has a higher rating because children definitely should not be playing this. The negative images can have a huge impact on them and teach them to be unethical from a young age.
Overall, I would say my GTA:SA experience has been interesting. I definitely do not love the game, but I didn’t dislike it as much as I thought I would either. The bad images and concepts are not too bad for a temporary player.
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| [January 16, 2010 10:24:58 PM]
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Knowing how to play the game definitely makes the experience more enjoyable. I still do not really understand the point of the game; though, I did perfect the ability to get in and out of cars now because I know what buttons to press. Because I wasn’t focusing so much on what buttons to press this time, I realized something I had not noticed last time: the radio. At first, I thought it was a good idea. It made the game seem more realistic. Just as in real life, different cars have different owners who listen to different radio stations. Each time I would get into a new car, a new song/station would play. However, after a certain point I started to really listen to what the radio show was actually saying. There was one station that I found very disturbing. The discussion was about relationships and the radio-show host was encouraging the caller to stay in an abusive relationship. This happened several times. I do realize this is a game, but this is the radio. A game with so many questionable ideologies should not enforce this behavior with something so realistic. The radio in Grand Theft Auto-San Andres works exactly as a radio in real life. People in real life listen to the radio for advice and entertainment. In the game, the radio is constantly being streamed and the player is forced to listen to it. It becomes part of the background and, at least in my case, I did not realize I was listening and paying attention to it until it would say something shocking. If “shocking” information is playing constantly, it becomes normal and acceptable. This game should not play radio shows with this message. People in abusive relationships have a difficult time getting out of them already. If someone in an abusive relationship hears this, they might begin to question their relationship and decide to stay. Now, to be fair, I have not played the game long enough or know it well enough to know if there is an option to turn off the radio. If there are settings which the player can adjust regarding the radio, I guess it wouldn’t be too bad, depending on the settings.
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| [January 15, 2010 10:45:58 PM]
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Today is the first time I have picked up a remote control for a PS2 videogame. Grand Theft Auto San Andres was more difficult than I thought it would be. It took me a while to understand just how to play and what buttons to press. I still do not really understand the point of the game. I spent most of my gaming time this time just learning how to play and what I should do. One thing that struck me right away, though, was the amount of foul language used in the game. It seemed like foul language was the equivalent of saying “um” every few minutes. Personally, I do not use foul language, nor do I like hearing it. This made playing the game a lot less enjoyable for me. If someone were to play this game continuously and frequently, they will then be constantly exposed to bad language. This will make foul language a norm for the player. This language could then be carried into their real lives.
Overall, I think this game could become a more enjoyable game. But I am sure, with more practice, my feelings will change toward the game. But the amount of foul language in the game will sadly not change. I am hoping that as I play the game more, I will start to notice other things and be able to expand my explanations more.
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