Over the Line: Violence in Video Games

Professor S · 06-23-2010, 09:38 AM

I don't think violence is the issue, but a lack of creativity in the shooter genre. It seems developers are so invested in creating a sensory overload they forgot about the "less is more" philosophy. Violence is not effective if you are inundated with it at all times, but when it is used to enhance the story and experience.

Violence in video games is an inevitability, especially in shooters (they are called "shooters" after all) but I think shooters are due for a switch to more thoughtful gaming.

magus113 · 06-23-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor S

I don't think violence is the issue, but a lack of creativity in the shooter genre. It seems developers are so invested in creating a sensory overload they forgot about the "less is more" philosophy. Violence is not effective if you are inundated with it at all times, but when it is used to enhance the story and experience.

Violence in video games is an inevitability, especially in shooters (they are called "shooters" after all) but I think shooters are due for a switch to more thoughtful gaming.

I'm gonna just go out there and say that most shooters are getting tired and boring. They have to be just phenomenal in story or concept to be able to wow me. A lot of them are just throwaways.

BreakABone · 06-23-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor S

I don't think violence is the issue, but a lack of creativity in the shooter genre. It seems developers are so invested in creating a sensory overload they forgot about the "less is more" philosophy. Violence is not effective if you are inundated with it at all times, but when it is used to enhance the story and experience.

Violence in video games is an inevitability, especially in shooters (they are called "shooters" after all) but I think shooters are due for a switch to more thoughtful gaming.

I think that's actually one of the main problems with the "emergence" of violence in games is that shooters have become the dominant genre of gaming.

Personally, violence really depends on the victims. I find stuff like Gears of War okay since you are fighting essentially monsters who they don't really try to humanize at all. But if its a game that has me mowing down innocents for a kick, well who knows.

TheSlyMoogle · 06-23-2010, 01:10 PM

Well it's just like everyone forgot about Borderlands, or maybe no one considers it a shooter?

<3 Borderlands

BreakABone · 06-23-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSlyMoogle

Well it's just like everyone forgot about Borderlands, or maybe no one considers it a shooter?

<3 Borderlands

I am confused.

What did we forget about Borderlands? Or what does Borderlands have to do with this conversation?

Professor S · 06-23-2010, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BreakABone

I think that's actually one of the main problems with the "emergence" of violence in games is that shooters have become the dominant genre of gaming.

I don't think violence is emergent in gaming. Just ask a Space Invader of Koopa Trooper if they think old school gaming is violent. Technical advancements has just allowed us to be more graphic with the violence.

BreakABone · 06-24-2010, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor S

I don't think violence is emergent in gaming. Just ask a Space Invader of Koopa Trooper if they think old school gaming is violent. Technical advancements has just allowed us to be more graphic with the violence.

I don't know if you see the flaw in your logic.

Video games were always violent they just appear more violent now because we can make em more graphic.

Which is exactly the problem. Is all people use tech for is to enhance the type of violence you enact.

And did you really compare Space Invaders and Mario to something like Call of Duty or God of War?

Its like comparing the fight in I don't know, Aladdin to the sword fighting in Kill Bill.

TheSlyMoogle · 06-25-2010, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor S

I don't think violence is the issue, but a lack of creativity in the shooter genre. It seems developers are so invested in creating a sensory overload they forgot about the "less is more" philosophy. Violence is not effective if you are inundated with it at all times, but when it is used to enhance the story and experience.

Violence in video games is an inevitability, especially in shooters (they are called "shooters" after all) but I think shooters are due for a switch to more thoughtful gaming.

that's what borderlands was in response to.