A Sad Day for British Television

[fasterthanjoao]

http://www.destructoid.com/watch-some-hypocrites-attack-videogames-on-british-tv-168784.phtml

For those that can't be bothered watching(!) - the video is a clip from The Alan Titchmarsh show about video-games. The discussion is about the impact violent video games have on children. The critics basically blind-facedly state that video games destroy and corrupt children. The pro-gaming argument attempts to use evidence and points out that a certificate system is observed - the problem we have is that many parents seem to be happy ignoring certificates for games yet for some reason accept them for movies. The problem I have with the program isn't that there is an anti-games bias, it's that later in the clip, Alan Titchmarsh suggests that games violate common decency, and is wrecklessly attempting to harm an industry based on a total lack of understanding.

The facilities are there if parents are uncomfortable with their children playing certain types of gaming material.

I know computer games aren't everyones cup-of-tea and for precisely this reason I think that it's more important than ever that parents have awareness about technology. They need to know that ratings are there to be paid attention - and that all of the current generation consoles have facilities to control the content their children play/watch. In any case, the clear lack of research made (there are several clearly incorrect statements) and the lack of respect/due attention paid to a contributing panel member are violations of multiple sections of the Ofcom code. I, for one, shall be complaining in the hope that we prevent things like this from happening to our future viewing experience.

 

[Brian_C]

I've read some articles that claim video games actually increase IQ. It is a harmless activity.

 

[MotoH]

I like to come home after school everyday at 5 and un-wind by flying a little bird over a fictitious middle eastern city and shoot things. Keeps me from being angry or what-have-you. Besides the surround sound for my computer makes me more aware of things!

 

[Evo]

I've read some articles that claim video games actually increase IQ. It is a harmless activity.

I can't see it most games increasing IQ, but it can help in hand/eye coordination.

 

[fasterthanjoao]

I can't see it most games increasing IQ, but it can help in hand/eye coordination.

I would go along with this.

Though, when I look for entertainment any effects such as boosting coordination or increasing IQ are purely a bonus. I don't worry about such things when I read books or when I watch movies. There just seems to be an attitude in sections of the public that acts as if video games have to explain themselves, and provide some extra-justification for their existence. An anti-video game complaint in that video is that games are interactive and immersive. Isn't immersion the holy grail of holywood cinema? With the advent of the popularization of 3D cinema, we're now seeing filmmakers try to transport us to other worlds - does the anti-games argument mean that horror/violent films shouldn't be allowed in 3D? The comeback there is that 'oh, but cinemas are controlled' - how many people have dvds that have an R/18 cert, I wonder. And if the big tv manufacturers have their way, we'll all soon have 3D tvs at home..