LONG BLOG
CNN is full of crap, games are immature
I would like to alert everyone to a stupid article posted on CNN. OK, it's well thought out and pretty good arguments, but I just can't get behind the basic point.
Basically, Mr. Gallaga (irony) believes that the "disturbing trend" of videogames killing children ought to be stopped. He cites examples like Dead Space, Dead Island, Bioshock, and Heavy Rain, all of which run against his parenting instincts. Stupid CNN won't accept my password so I can't post a scathing remark. You guys take care of it for me, OK?
Basically, Gallaga has a problem with children dying and thinks it's desensitizing people. Personally, I disagree. The only example I can personally relate to is Dead Space [2]. The story was tremendously gripping (do not debate this in the comments, please. Not the place) and including the children made perfect sense. I will grant that most of the time I treated them like the little monsters they were (the did not look human in the least), but the daycare center hit me pretty hard. Perhaps if a transformation scene was included, it would really hit players that these are human kids they're being forced to kill -- or maybe it would just offend Mr. Gallaga's sensibilities.
Gallaga is also disturbed that "Perhaps developers, many of whom have kids of their own, are exploring their own fears as they build complex, dark game narratives..." Apparently, he's in the camp of "Videogames are toys and can't explore serious issues." Personally, I think a game like that would be very interesting, and only disturbing in the sense that it could highlight problems in society that would give me nightmares.
Finally, Gallaga states "When such depictions [killing children] are presented in an artful, entertaining way, video game advocates are put in a position of defending content that might be less palatable in other mediums." I don't get what he's saying here - that videogames tackle stuff other mediums won't, and don't get flack for it? If so, he is sorely mistaken. Do I really have to provide examples here?
Anyways - that's my take on the matter. Gotta run, or this would be more detailed. Please share your thoughts, especially if your name is Omar Gallaga.
The Sama 
smurfee mcgee 1
BS3 Owner 1
Basically, Mr. Gallaga (irony) believes that the "disturbing trend" of videogames killing children ought to be stopped. He cites examples like Dead Space, Dead Island, Bioshock, and Heavy Rain, all of which run against his parenting instincts. Stupid CNN won't accept my password so I can't post a scathing remark. You guys take care of it for me, OK?
Basically, Gallaga has a problem with children dying and thinks it's desensitizing people. Personally, I disagree. The only example I can personally relate to is Dead Space [2]. The story was tremendously gripping (do not debate this in the comments, please. Not the place) and including the children made perfect sense. I will grant that most of the time I treated them like the little monsters they were (the did not look human in the least), but the daycare center hit me pretty hard. Perhaps if a transformation scene was included, it would really hit players that these are human kids they're being forced to kill -- or maybe it would just offend Mr. Gallaga's sensibilities.
Gallaga is also disturbed that "Perhaps developers, many of whom have kids of their own, are exploring their own fears as they build complex, dark game narratives..." Apparently, he's in the camp of "Videogames are toys and can't explore serious issues." Personally, I think a game like that would be very interesting, and only disturbing in the sense that it could highlight problems in society that would give me nightmares.
Finally, Gallaga states "When such depictions [killing children] are presented in an artful, entertaining way, video game advocates are put in a position of defending content that might be less palatable in other mediums." I don't get what he's saying here - that videogames tackle stuff other mediums won't, and don't get flack for it? If so, he is sorely mistaken. Do I really have to provide examples here?
Anyways - that's my take on the matter. Gotta run, or this would be more detailed. Please share your thoughts, especially if your name is Omar Gallaga.
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About The Samaone of us since 7:56 PM on 11.08.2010
NOTE: I will most likely reply to any comments on my blog. People keep asking questions, I answer, but no indication that they expected an answer and therefor no indication that they looked for one.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO PUT HERE.
I like Halo, Dead Space and Homeworld.
I am an artist, writer and coder.
I am working on some games for the XBLIG channel.
I like discussing all kinds of game-related stuff, as well as politics and other strange subjects. Hit me up. I have no good Dtoid friends! Maybe because the interface sucks.
I really can't think of anything. I hate bios. Just read my globs (that was a typo but I'll leave it).
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO PUT HERE.
I like Halo, Dead Space and Homeworld.
I am an artist, writer and coder.
I am working on some games for the XBLIG channel.
I like discussing all kinds of game-related stuff, as well as politics and other strange subjects. Hit me up. I have no good Dtoid friends! Maybe because the interface sucks.
I really can't think of anything. I hate bios. Just read my globs (that was a typo but I'll leave it).