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Bloggers, Culture, Equality, Gaming, Gender, Logic, OneGentlemansPerspective, Opinion, Sex, Social Media, Society, Twitter, video games
Recently, there was a ban on video game Grand Theft Auto V, in two major stores in Australia. I am a competitive gamer, and my wife is as well. Though we both enjoy playing certain puzzle-oriented games on our tablets, we prefer competitive console games like Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, Gears of War, Medal of Honor, etc.
If you are familiar with these games, males experience violence to women on a ratio of perhaps 1,000,000:1.
This figure is an exaggeration, but the idea is that violence against males in the games, FAR exceed violence against females. However, the current provocateurs understand their propaganda works by playing victim.
In other words, though critical thinking and observation will show that violence occurs in video games across the board, your complaint makes headlines by orchestrating your argument to appear sex or race specific.
I believe in a free system and by that, consumers should dictate the marketplace. For instance, if I entered my local store and saw an item I did not like because the cover shows red cars, as opposed to blue ones, I would allow other consumers to dictate what happens to its sales figures.
In short, if they personally choose not to buy the item in droves, eventually, its manufacturer will end its production. This is a free market.
However, provocateurs do not think in this manner. Instead, when they walk into a store and see the same item as I did, they take out their phones and create campaigns on Twitter and Change.org.
Interestingly enough, these people were never going to purchase this particular item; they simply do not want anyone else to have the option, all because they have a problem with it.
With this explanation out-of-the-way, let us dive into Grand Theft Auto V. It has been some time since my darling and I played our PlayStation or Xbox consoles.
However, for those unaware, Grand Theft Auto is an action-adventure video game series where you have different missions to complete, and while on these missions or in between missions, you can roam the environment freely.
The focus is on a character trying to rise through the ranks of a criminal empire.
When your missions involve killing someone, if not 100 percent of the time, the victim is usually male 99 percent of the time.
You have to decide on your own, whether to kill or fight female characters in the game. However, your missions mandate that you kill male characters.
Instead of rationally assessing this situation apart from one’s indoctrination, campaigners express that the game is specifically violent against females. How did they draw this conclusion?
Well, the playable character has the ability to fight and/or kill prostitutes in the game, after he has sex with them. This action is not an automatic feature—this is a decision one makes completely unrelated to the plot of the game.
In short, the game does not promote or automates this behavior against prostitutes.
Whether you agree with the inclusion of sex with prostitutes in an adult video game, is another topic entirely.
Nonetheless, the campaigners believe that violence against women, which once again, you must go out of your way to commit, will cause males to act violently towards women in reality.
This is why I am always leery of provocateurs. Study after study proves them incorrect, because if this were true, there would be a likely correlation between video games and other forms of media, with actual crime statistics.
Interestingly, violent crimes are down, even with violence in video games increasing. However, provocateurs do not let logic and facts get in the way of their indoctrination.
More importantly, violent crimes against males would be through the roof because as mentioned, violence against males in video games FAR exceeds violence against females. I am beginning to think these lunatics are allergic to facts, logic and freedom of speech.
I continue calling them lunatics because you have to be a special kind of person, to know for every female death in video games, hundreds or thousands of male characters are killed. However, you still conclude that games specifically perpetuate violence against females.
These lunatics could hear about a school massacre where 50 males and 2 females perished, yet immediately conclude no other motive besides the shooter’s misogyny and the perpetuation of a war against women.
You have to be a special kind of person, if you can edit what you hear and see, all to suit an agenda.
Grand Theft Auto V sold over 30 million copies since its launch in 2013, and yet, the two locations in Australia felt compelled to cave into the demands, of individuals whom were never interested in purchasing the game.
Take-Two, publisher of the game series, issued a great response recently from CEO Karl Slatoff…
It's one thing for someone to not want to buy a piece of content, which is completely understandable. And that's really the solution. If you don't like it and it's offensive to you, then you don't buy it. But for a person or a group of people to try to make that decision for millions of people... We have 34 million people who bought Grand Theft Auto, and if these folks had their way, none of those people would be able to buy Grand Theft Auto. And that really just flies in the face of everything that free society is based on. It's the freedom of expression, and to try to squelch that is a dangerous and slippery slope to go down. So it's really more disappointing for us in that regard than it is in the context of our business. Our business is going to be completely unaffected by this; it doesn't make a difference to us. At the end of the day though, it's not something you want because it's a poor leadership decision.
I embrace the idea of creating campaigns, because the consumer should be able to voice their opinion. However, this campaign is not rooted in voicing one’s opinion. This campaign is about silencing.
If you genuinely believe video games, movies and music creates violence in reality against women, I have a skyscraper in the Bermuda Triangle to sell, along with an imaginary stairway to the moon.
If you simply refuse to acknowledge facts, then I am sure you will believe in the existence of the two items I have for sale. Whenever a topic only receives one angle represented in the media, always call it into question. Please do not drink the indoctrinated kool-aid.
If you do not want to support Take-Two, then do not support them. To tell other adults they cannot purchase something in the marketplace, and mask it under this umbrella of helping women, you have a good scheme going…but I see right through it. Sadly, the locations in Australia did not.
Will it stop there?
The lunatics are taking over the asylum and the world they continue forcing onto others, I do not want any part of it.
If you are new to my blog and would like to disagree with my perspective, please read Part 1 and Part 2, which addresses the topic of disagreeing online.
This is my perspective…I am far more interested in yours. Do you agree or disagree, in telling other adults what they can purchase from a store?
They’ve completely taken over…sigh
One Gentleman's Perspective 
The lesson being taught, rather than a base examination of who has violence being done against them “in game”, is the larger lesson being exemplified that violence is the solution (and often the only solution available) to solve problems.
Like in TV and other media, the after effects of violent behaviour are also rarely shown – No one plays CoD expects or wants to play the 6 month (forever) recovery from gunshot wound mini-game.
The ban on GTA 5 was from two retail chains in Australia, Target and K-Mart. Target and K-Mart do not represent the entire gaming market of Australia, also both retailers had previously stocked and sold the game since its release. The two retail chains are merely reacting market pressure, and as you have stated, you believe in the “free market” and all of its benevolent goodness.
Jim Cooper from Target on the Decision: “We’ve been speaking to many customers over recent days about the game and there is a significant level of concern about the game’s content,” he said in a statement.
“We’ve also had customer feedback in support of us selling the game, and we respect their perspective on the issue.
“However, we feel the decision to stop selling GTA 5 is in line with the majority view of our customers.”
So it would appear that the market has spoken, but not in way that supports your point of view – thus are you a free market supporter or a free market supporter only when it suits your interests?
By including the feature it does indeed promote violent behaviour toward prostituted women. It could have easily not been coded into the game.
Usually around the “gritty realism” argument crops up. To which I say, how much realism is involved in a game where you can be shot multiple times and continue to live without serious impairment/injury?
Violence against women is not a necessary aspect of “gritty realism”.
Media reflects and shapes our attitudes toward others in society. That is basic axiomatic sociology. It would be very nice to see “the study after study” disproving this basic sociological fact.
Most violent behaviour in society is perpetrated by men. Violent video games are just one aspect of the toxic soup of negative masculine behaviour that is promoted and condoned in much of society.
(also in the BBC article)”Target and Kmart stores pulled the game after a petition launched by three female survivors of violence gained more than 40,000 signatures.”
GTA 5 is still available in Australia. Two chains have decided, because of market forces – even if they are not “True Gamers” – to listen to their customers.
Again, this sounds like – “Since the market isn’t catering to my needs – therefore censorship.”
This argument doesn’t wash as the game is still available to be purchased and the retailers are listening to the demands of their customers.
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Thank you for sharing your time on the blog, and responding with your perspective. Before proceeding, review the following links
1. Frustration/Aggression
2. Violence + Video Games
Video games are now outperforming Hollywood, in terms of financials. Grand Theft Auto sold 34 million copies, and by your sentence that “violence is the solution,” there would be a direct correlation in assaults and other crimes related to physical aggression. People are playing violent video games more than ever in the history of the console wars. However, statistics prove that crime is down.
According to the FBI last month, violent crimes including murders fell 4.4 percent in 2013 to their lowest number since the 1970s. Video games entered mainstream markets in the 70s/80s, after popularity with arcade games. This is an interesting point because as crimes continue to decline, video games are becoming more and more popular—especially violent video games.
The law enforcement agency’s annual Crime in the United States report showed the country had an estimated 1.16 million violent crimes last year, the lowest number since 1.09 million were recorded in 1978. To conclude, all types of violent crimes were lower, with murder and non-negligent manslaughter off 4.4 percent to 14,196, the lowest figure since 1968. Rape was down 6.3 percent and robbery fell 2.8 percent, the Federal Bureau of Investigation data showed.
Violent video games are now the staple, in other words, some of the best-selling video games happen to be some of the most violent. However, this does not transfer to violent activity in society. You personally believe that “the larger lesson being exemplified that violence is the solution (and often the only solution available) to solve problems.” However, statistics do not back up this assertion. You are free to believe your opinion, but evidence does not support it.
When we emphasize this idea that people cannot tell the difference between violent movies, song lyrics and video games, it is an outright fabrication, because once again, statistics do not back up the assertion. It is a scapegoat of sorts, because it is easier to blame these mediums, as opposed to accepting the reality whenever violent crimes are committed by a small fraction of the population.
“Target and K-Mart do not represent the entire gaming market of Australia, also both retailers had previously stocked and sold the game since its release.”
Where in my post did I reference the two locations represented the gaming market, in its entirety? Where did I mention in my post, that the locations did not previously stock the games?
Your message seems to lose me a bit here, because you reference a quote that the retail chains are reacting to their consumers due to recent complaints. The game has been on sale for nearly 14 months on store shelves. 34 million copies of the game were sold, and anyone with the desire not to purchase the game has the freedom not to purchase the game. It is an 18+ rated game; therefore, this game is geared for adults.
The series of GTA has been on sale since 1997. GTA V is not the first in the series sold in these two locations. That means for nearly 20 years, this series has been on store shelves. Do you really believe the marketplace is speaking up, or is this more about a small group seeking to have their way?
If the market was speaking, the ability for the latest GTA remaining on store shelves for nearly 14 months seems unlikely. This topic only entered the discussion when video game debates became quite the news story over the past few months, with GTA leading the charge. The current culture of I am offended by everything, is more popular today, so things that rational minded people/businesses could ignore are now widely accepted as a problem.
One individual, who had no interest in the game to begin with, came across these articles and experienced selective outrage. This selective outraged turned into this idea that my feelings are far more important on a product I will never purchase, in comparison to the individuals that the product is geared towards.
I fail to see how an individual lacking all interest in the game entirely, wants to stop other adults from purchasing a game only adults can purchase.
By including the feature it does indeed promote violent behaviour toward prostituted women It could have easily not been coded into the game. Usually around the “gritty realism” argument crops up. To which I say, how much realism is involved in a game where you can be shot multiple times and continue to live without serious impairment/injury? Violence against women is not a necessary aspect of “gritty realism”.
Once again, facts and reality do not support your assertion. I mentioned the widespread gap in the number of males killed in videogames, in comparison to females. However, you gloss over that important fact and reference the inclusion of the code, does promote violence against female prostitutes. This is problematic.
It is one thing if your position remained consistent, where you said it promotes violence against everyone, but even then, it is incorrect, because statistics prove otherwise. We cannot interject our feelings in an argument as evidence to support a fact. You say that it promotes violence against prostitutes, but that is quite honestly a lie. Statistics do not support your feelings, so I have to reject the assertion.
Do you realize that video games are an escape from reality?
Most violent behaviour in society is perpetrated by men. Violent video games are just one aspect of the toxic soup of negative masculine behaviour that is promoted and condoned in much of society.
It is interesting that you say, toxic soup of negative behavior that is promoted and condoned in much of society. What exactly is a toxic soup of negative masculine behaviour that is promoted and condoned in much of society?
Media reflects and shapes our attitudes toward others in society. That is basic axiomatic sociology. It would be very nice to see “the study after study” disproving this basic sociological fact.
Statistics prove that although crimes are down, violence in video games are up. This is what my post is about specifically. A society is made up of people, which means people make up a society. I do not disagree that mass media can play a role in shaping some of our attitudes, but you are most certainly reaching in this regard. Death occurs all throughout GTA especially against male characters, and yet, this concept does not transfer in a direct correlation offline. This is the fact you overlook.
GTA 5 is still available in Australia. Two chains have decided, because of market forces – even if they are not “True Gamers” – to listen to their customers. Again, this sounds like – “Since the market isn’t catering to my needs – therefore censorship.” This argument doesn’t wash as the game is still available to be purchased and the retailers are listening to the demands of their customers.
I am aware of how this entire ban took place, along with the number of signatures, etc. What this sounds like is honestly irrelevant as a response to my post. Unless you see the actual words in my writing, what you think is implied, feel or what it sounds like, are irrelevant conclusions. I am saying this to be honest, because my words are my words, but your feelings are not my words.
The game being available in other locations is not relevant to the post. I am unsure why you think this is relevant for your response…Since the market isn’t catering to my needs – therefore censorship. Please understand that your feelings on what you think I am saying are not sound arguments. You have every right to state them of course, but they are irrelevant to the actual post. There is no malice, no ego, anger or anything of the sort in this response. I have to state this because one of the most significant rebuttals in the discussion of others is to undermine the message; by saying, the individual is angry, inexperienced, egotistical, etc.
If you choose to reply, please review Part 1 and Part 2, which addresses the topic of disagreeing online.
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So you’re a gamer? My first game system was my NES back in 1987, and I’ve been a fairly regular gamer since. With kids and families it’s harder to make the time now, but a group of buddies and I still try to meet up online one night a week (after the family has gone to bed) for online gaming on our xboxes.
As a long time gamer, I’m at once appalled by the way “gamers” are often treated by the rest of the world. But at the same time I am embarrassed by the behaviour I see from many so called gamers online.
As you said, gaming has grown from the days of pong or pacman. Now there are some games that are just as much art in my mind as movies. Some are merely escapism, while others are almost interactive films. Yet there is this stigma attached to games, and many still consider them to be for children. Like movies, there are many different genres of games, and many are definitely not for children.
It’s this double standard that bothers me. Movies and music can have content that is MUCH worse than anything in games, and you hear nothing. But as the gaming industry matures (along with the games it creates) we hear all about how it is corrupting our youth.
Yes, some people use games as an escape from the real world and they can become addictive. But the same things happen with movies, tv, or even food. Yet games are held to a different standard – even as the average age of a gamer goes up.
My boys play games, but I am careful about what I let them play, and I monitor it. The games themselves are no more inherently bad then movies. Most parents won’t let an 8 year old watch a movie like Conan. Well they probably shouldn’t let an 8 year old play call of duty or grand theft auto either.
If you want to protect your kids, show an interest in them and what they do. Don’t expose them to things that you feel are inappropriate, and help them understand why.
Like movies, games have ratings. Removing something from the shelves for violent content while you continue to sell movies glorifying violence or music with mysoginistic themes doesn’t make a lot of sense to me
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This is why I enjoy conversing with you bud. Whether you agree or disagree is unimportant honestly. It honestly comes back to you reading my words, and replying based on that, as opposed to creating your own argument and arguing against that argument. I am still having difficulty understanding why this communication breakdown occurs so often online. It’s quite strange actually.
We are gamers in the non-stereotypical sense…you know the stereotype they seem to cast over so-called gamers. Male, overweight, Caucasian, anti-social, lives in their mother’s basement, etc. You will not believe how many articles, YouTube conversations or blog posts I’ve encountered where the image above is the go-to insult for what they consider gamers.
It’s akin to what I call a discussion-ender, or shaming language to discredit one’s opinion. It’s quite funny to encounter this. I was a huge fanatic of the Super NES and then original Xbox/PlayStation systems. I stopped being a fan of Nintendo upon their release of the Wii.
You are 100 percent correct–time makes it difficult to play, but I used to put in hours in high school and my first semester of college. My buddies still play, however, my wife and I are not playing right now. If I were active, I would definitely take your Gamertag down. When we get back to playing again, I will. What games are you playing now? Though we have both systems, I am a PlayStation guy at heart. In fact, the main reason I bought non-exclusive PlayStation 3 games, had to do with my friends all owning the Xbox 360, and now Xbox One.
While playing games online, In my opinion, the online gamers you reference act as they do in any other setting…just with more anonymity. In other words, the anonymous online platform enhances the immaturity and bad behavior. This is what I also noticed with non-gamers/people in general. Some people are simply bad in general, and when you provide anonymity, it enhances their willingness to act out.
Attaching negative stigmas to video games is not difficult, which is why they do it. It removes people from having real discussions about human behavior. Why have a real discussion when I can say, It is because of Rock music? I can also say, It is because of Eminem’s Hip-Hop lyrics. I can then say, Video games promote toxic masculinity or some other hogwash, because once again, it is far too easy.
Sadly Drew, you cannot bring facts and logic into a discussion that willingly refuses logic and facts. This conversation and many others alike, are about my feelings and how something/someone offends me.
Drew, there you go again with applying logic–that is not acceptable for this conversation. I want to hear more about your feelings, and how this medium is harmful to kittens or how violence in video games are somehow damaging to world peace. LoL.
Drew, please…no more logic and responding with critical thinking. You are breaking the first rule of those when they engage in topics such as this one. Why would a parent simply be a parent, and filter the things their children listen to and watch? This does not capture the attention of today’s media.
Come on Drew. I want to hear more about your anger and frustration. I want to hear you address video game companies for making adult games that your boys cannot legally purchase, due to their age and how you still want the game banned. I want to hear about your newly formed nonprofit group, which seeks to make all games where one female dies, illegal to create.
In all seriousness Drew, what troubles me today is this era of me, me, me, you hurt my feelings therefore I want someone to lose their job or product removed from store shelves, etc. People are so afraid to speak out against these provocateurs, they either cave under their demands, or turn a blind eye to their selective outrage.
How did we get here? When did someone’s feelings become more about than someone else’s? This entire GTA V and negative association upon video games lately, is insulting to critical thinking and logic. The direction we are going troubles me.
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Gamers themselves can be terrible for this mentality. The pissing contests that you see over which console is better are absolutely ridiculous. And logic definitely goes out the window.
The era of online anonymity seems to bring out the worst in people. I’ve actually got a post coming on that, using the “fable of gyges ring” as a starting point. It’s a tale of morality from Plato’s Republic, discussing how many people resort to baser instincts and immoral behaviour when they don’t think they’ll get caught. Interesting stuff.
As for me, the 360 is my primary platform. Gamer tag is drewlam if you wanna look me up.
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Good day Drew. I hope your week has been going well. I haven’t been on the blog in a few days.
I think people as a whole in any given situation can act horribly. I remember the console war conversations. LoL. My bud would often say the X box 360 was a better system than the PS3. I had both systems, but the PS3 in terms of exclusive titles was better for me. Some people may take their “allegiance” too far, and you can find this in anything–Mac vs Windows, ios vs Android, professional sporting teams, etc.
The anonymous post will be an interesting one, because I understand just how godlike some people act behind the wall of the world wide web. I’m looking forward to reading it.
When we are back to gaming online, I’ll definitely connect with you
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