Can someone explain this dichotomy to me?

[goldfritter]

Just from personal experience. I've been playing violent games for years. The other day I went to watch Django Unchained. Great film, but the violence brought me close to nausea on several occasions.

Interesting fact: there's a classical psychological experiment on observational learning to test observation of violence. Kids were split into groups; the first group saw a man punch a doll, the second group saw a video of a man punching the doll, and the third group saw an animation of a man punching the doll. Fourth group (control) didn't watch anything. Then they put the kids in a room with the dolls to see what they did. The kids who saw the video were more likely to replicate the behaviour than the real life group or the cartoon group.

It would be interesting to see how this research develops as game graphics get closer to complete realism...

[Juvenile]

If videogame violence stops, will real-world violence stop...

[Lyt]

If videogame violence stops, will real-world violence stop...

Wot m8?

In light of the recent debate (again!) over video game violence and real-world shootings, how is it that on the one hand, gamers are vehemently defending violent games, but on the other, they savaged the "Left Behind" game because of its violent content? Was the "Left Behind" game excluded from being defended because of its religious content (which would pretty much be tantamount to bigotry)? I am really having a difficult time understanding this.

Left Behind was a game that "promoted" religion, and any game that promotes any kind of religion doesn't deserve to be out there. We play games for fun, not for some religious crap. I myself am a Christian, but oh boy video games are the last means I want to see my religion being promoted with. Anyway the game was a piece of crap, and whoever tries to defend it is an idiot.

[Juvenile]

Wot m8?

My input

[Grievous]

Left Behind was a game that "promoted" religion, and any game that promotes any kind of religion doesn't deserve to be out there. We play games for fun, not for some religious crap. I myself am a Christian, but oh boy video games are the last means I want to see my religion being promoted with. Anyway the game was a piece of crap, and whoever tries to defend it is an idiot.

As someone who isn't religious I find this statement bloody ridiculous. If someone wants a religious game they are fully entitled to make or play one. Just because you don't like (neither do I), doesn't mean no one else should be able to play such a game.

[matt]

I thought the defense was that video games in general don't turn you into a psycho. I didn't know that people were only defending certain games. I don't even think I've heard of Left Behind.

I still think that if people have violent tendencies, then if they didn't have games, those tendencies would come out in eg killing puppies or something. The games aren't the cause, and even if violent people enjoy violent games, I don't think it's the games themselves that do damage. It's just where they go to indulge themselves, and it's actually safer than what they might do otherwise.

[Glordit]

Wot m8?



Left Behind was a game that "promoted" religion, and any game that promotes any kind of religion doesn't deserve to be out there.We play games for fun, not for some religious crap. I myself am a Christian, but oh boy video games are the last means I want to see my religion being promoted with. Anyway the game was a piece of crap, and whoever tries to defend it is an idiot.

Yes it does. Play it don't play it, your choice.

Also:

[Nightf1re]

If I might chime in at this late stage (has Hitler been mentioned yet?), since conflict has been an integral part of storytelling since, well, forever, how possible is it to make a *good* game that doesn't rely on mental/spiritual/psychological/physical conflict of some kind? We fixate on physical aspects because that's where the rubber hits the tar, so to speak, but I would argue having virtual characters "die" within the context of the game is natural and meaningful (look what happens the moment you switch to god-mode in any game - you're immediately taken out of the story and out the fourth window).

[Graal]

I actually had to go read up on WTF Left Behind was.

It seems that the main issue wasn't the fact that it was a violent videogame. It was the fact that it was a videogame that promoted Christian bigotry. You played a christian faction during the second coming of christ, and you had to either convert non-christians, or failing that, kill them. That sent out a message that if someone isn't christian and isn't receptive to being converted to christian beliefs, they deserve to be killed.

Not having played the game myself, I can only work from what I've read online, but it seems the OP has unintentionally (or intentionally) missed the point of the controversy and has now developed a persecution complex because of it. You'll note that many christians have also raised concerns about the message the game sends. It's not just non-religious people complaining about the game.

There is also the fact that anyone who said anything negative about the game's controversial nature got this letter from the developers' lawyers;

“RE: False information posted on your site about the video game LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces

To whom this may concern:

I represent Left Behind Games Inc., the developer and publisher of the LEFT BEHIND series of video games. Your organization hosts a website that has information posted about this game. Unfortunately, there are many statements on your website which appear to be false and misleading. This type of misinformation may cause significant and irreparable harm to Left Behind Video Games Inc. and must be removed.

Left Behind Games Inc. generally supports free speech in the media and understands how important it is to have various opinions presented for public consumption. It will not, however, tolerate the publication of information regarding its products that is false or misleading.

Left Behind Games Inc. is demanding that you immediately remove any and all information contained on your site about the above stated game that is false and/or misleading, including any such statements or commentary and the responses thereto. This includes posted comments made by others in the context of reading the incorrect or misleading statements.

If you do not comply immediately, the company will be forced to pursue additional legal action which will include claims for damages, costs of suit and attorney’s fees. This may subject you and your organization to significant legal and financial damages.”

So, yeah. OP, maybe do a bit of research before you open a topic and start playing Little Mr Prosecuted. There's a perfectly good reason why this game features on many 'Most offensive games every' lists.