Sunday 26 July, 2009

After giving a final play to GTA: San Andreas, I have seen that this game brings a reality in which few people experience right into our own homes. Everything that goes on in the game does happen in real life, this is the whole concept of the game, but adults and children have two different understandings of this. I believe that ADULTS are able to understand that things seen in GTA should not be replicated in real life, but what about the children. Yes, I do know that there is an "18+" rating on the game but lets be honest, how many people under the age if 18 do you know that own the game? If not the same number, perhaps more people under 18 own and play GTA.
As per my last posting, I addressed the fact that these characters, along with their actions, are becoming a part of a normal way of life. Kids look up to people when they are around them, physically and visually, all of the time. Michael Jordan is an example of someone who many kids in the 90's looked up to. Are video game characters who kids look up to today?
Lastly, I would like to conclude by saying that it is not the people affiliated in the making/distributing of the video game who hold the final power in how these games affect kids' lives, it should be looked upon the parents of the children playing the games instead.

"Are video game characters who kids look up to today?"

Good question. What do you think?

Yeah, I think so. At least a lot more now than ever. I mean back in the day you couldn't look up to Pac-Man, so kids collected baseball cards. I can't remember the last time I saw a baseball card. Kids exchange games now . . .

I wonder what it takes for a video game character to become a role model then. Is Master Chief a role model for some kids even though you don't even know what he looks like? Isn't it interesting that in these cases the player is actually a part of defining that role model? Essentially the player is part of defining who the character is through the things you make the character do in the game, right?