Games: The Ethics Issue @ bit-tech.net

Linc

As graphics become increasingly realistic, the line between the game world and the real world becomes blurred. Bit-Tech examines the ethics of sex and violence in games and their impact on today's society.

In the US, games are voluntarily rated by the ESRB. Unlike in Britain, there is no way to legally restrict the sale of a game to a certain age group, since the rating is not legally binding. In the UK and America banning a game is nigh-on impossible, with freedoms to play prevalent.

This is not necessarily the case elsewhere. The Greek government banned the playing of computer games in public in 2002. The law was designed to combat online gambling, but had the effect that two LAN café owners were dragged into court for allowing people to play the team shooter Counter-Strike. The government has since changed the law after pressure from the EU, but there still remains a ban on video games at all LAN cafes. As recently as 2004, 80 computers were taken from a café in a raid by Greek police.

Source: Bit-Tech

Enverex

General Keebler wrote:

As graphics become increasingly realistic, the line between the game world and the real world becomes blurred.

Nonsense. Anyone with a remote grasp on reality would be able to differentiate between reality and games. Anyone that can't shouldn't be playing in the first place as they lack mental stability.

GooD

As always, the problems don't come from the games, it comes from a minority of gamers that lack, as Enverex said, of mental stability.

If i play a game like the next 'Postal' in 5 years, and even if thats so realistic that i could see all the details of the body as i throw them apart with a shovel, even if its like reality, ITS NOT REALITY. I play this kind of game cuz its fun, it doesnt make me angry, it doesnt give me idea for killing people, it makes me laugh and relax. It allows me to do some of the weirdest thing i would never do in real life.

They can make pretty much every law they want against that, if i can't buy it, i'll find it in another 'less legal' way, i play it in my own house, not in a public area, so i don't think they will ever be able to stop me from playing, of that i am sure. The only thing that i fear is the 'end' of the violent video game area. Cuz if they can't sell them in store (or even online) one day, no more games compagny (at least good one) will makes violent game. This day is not to come soon i think and it's a good thing for us, mental stable gamers.

With celebrity and out-of-nowhere people that saids we should banish violent people, it's realy getting annoying to see what is done in the world to fight against that thing. They want to get rid of violent video games but in some cause they are taking steps to get rid of ALL video games or so lol