We all know what war is, or do we? At least some of us think we know about it. There’s likely more than one of you who is familiar with modern war games and perhaps have even played them yourselves some time. Sure, video games are supposed to be fun, but how do we define fun? Do people really like the idea of being in war and killing people?
Even though the previous question is intended to be rhetorical, the possible answers seem to be a real problem for certain people. Many believe that such games inciting that level of violence shouldn’t portray war as being entertaining, or even exist for that matter. And I couldn’t completely disagree. War is neither enjoyable nor moderate. In fact, the concept of war shown in video games is slightly a portion of the real deal. Games make it seem like war is just about killing and surviving, when in reality it is so much more than that. The pain, experiences, and psychological madness that soldiers go through during war couldn’t nearly been described. Not even virtuality could make you feel what they feel, see what they see, you would never fully understand, no matter how many hours you played or how many records you beat. It is something that simply can’t be compared.
Despite what I just argued, my opposition on war games is not as strong as it may seem. In cases where a video game is based on actual wars and most information is accurate, it becomes educational. It now helps players with distinct range of ages to learn about World History in a way they find interesting and may relate to as they play. I think banning such games from being produced/played would be a drastic, unnecessary solution.
Personally, I believe that whether it favors us or affects us is more in our hands rather than in technology’s, or whoever is creating it. It’s the attitude a person takes toward a game that makes it right or wrong. Are you going to play the game, or is the game going to play you? There are kids, teenagers, and adults who get so involved with these games and start to find joy in playing until it goes overboard. No one should feel the need to have a game like these in their lives too badly. People who play them once in a while in a healthy manner (as a distraction or for amusement, or whatever the reason may be) have absolutely no reason to be “threatened” by the game’s violence influence or develop negative effects upon them.
Ultimately, one has the choice to decide how you want your children to be formed and what you want them to learn. Each individual has the freedom to create their own future. Just as the quote says: “Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours.”
Yawney, Mike. "Modern Warfare 2 the Most Pirated Game of 2009." December 30th, 2009. December 7th, 2010.
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