What's the general opinion of THR members on video games involving shooting?

[JImbothefiveth]

The First Amendment applies to video games

You sure about that? I've never really seen a political message in a video game. I wouldn't rule it out, I'm just a little sceptical.

 

[jakemccoy]

I'm ok with them. It's a parent's responsibility to decide what their kid can and can not view/play.

The way it is now the games are marked with a rating (like movies). This gives the parents the info they need to make an informed decision.

I'll have to agree there.

As far as putting in broader restrictions to the developers, there are far worse media products out there (e.g., some porn). So, I can't get too upset about any immorality of current video games.

 

[happygeek]

You sure about that? I've never really seen a political message in a video game. I wouldn't rule it out, I'm just a little sceptical.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Doesn't say the speech has to be political, just says Congress isn't allowed to prohibit free speech.

 

[jackdanson]

all the video games do is give the detail without using the imagination. I think the real problem isn't that it sends impressionable young minds on killing sprees but it turns them into fatty jelly rolls. Not too many kids play outside anymore. [/sweeping generalization

Agreed! Also parents using video games as a babysitting method instead of spending time with their kids is not a good thing. I remember going camping with my Dad, not hours upon hours of playing video games.

As with almost everything, moderation is key.

You sure about that? I've never really seen a political message in a video game. I wouldn't rule it out, I'm just a little sceptical.

Does the first amendment only apply to "political messages"?

 

[AWorthyOpponent]

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is amazing. I could Play for days on end, and CAN NOT WAIT for Modern Warfare 2. The thought that games lead to violence is absolutely absurd. A kid that wants to shoot up his school is going to so so if he is set to do so and has the means; not because some game shows him how.

Personally I think video games are a good way to get younger people into shooting sports. I have used it as a way to introduce my friends to the sport. A game will make people more comfortable with a gun which I see as a positive. The bad part is that it does not shot you how to handle them. as with racing games, there should be a warning at the beginning of the game telling you not to handle a gun without first knowing proper gun safety rules.

I always think its fun to hear people who play games but have never shot a gun talk about how much they know about that type of gun. I tell them that every thing they know is a lie. They get defensive and I grab the AR out of the safe along with an empty mag and a few blue plastic dummy rounds. I tell them to load it and they look at me. I show them how to load the cartridge into the magazine and they put the magazine in. They think its ready to go and have no idea that there is a charging handle or what it does (AR-15/M4). looks like this in the games...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6BKyxBcjy0

 

[happygeek]

I noticed a lot of the small arms in that COD4 reloading video weren't fired until dry, they just dropped their almost empty mag and put in a full one.

 

[AWorthyOpponent]

yeah, but that's what it looks like in the game. its the same reload whether you have -1 bullet or an empty mag. its good, cause it doesn't show everyone how to use those types of guns in real life.

 

[Polar Express]

I won't support any more gov't restrictions. I like the idea of a rating system, (they already have that). then let the parents do what they are supposed to do: Be a parent to their kid, and actually pay attention to what their kids are doing, and make sure they approve.

When I was a kid, my parents didn't let us have toy guns of any kind, we had the real thing, and we could go shoot whenever we wanted, as long as dad was supervising. There was no mystery. I plan to follow that pattern when I am a parent.

 

[happygeek]

yeah, but that's what it looks like in the game. its the same reload whether you have -1 bullet or an empty mag. its good, cause it doesn't show everyone how to use those types of guns in real life.

Is that just on multiplayer that it does that? I played COD4 on single player campaign and my character had to put in a new mag and hit his bolt release after going dry on his M4, ditto on his M9.

 

[Justin]

Video game threads aren't really on topic for a forum dedicated to firearms and shooting.