Comments on: Why don't game developers get it?

Trash the alibis, says CNET News.com's Charles Cooper. It's time for the industry to take a long look in the mirror.

[James_U]

Why Mr. Cooper Gets It!

One question came to mind as I read the replies to this article: Whose responsiblity is it to care for the children of our country? From most of the responses you would think that only a child's parents should care about that child. It is solely up to dear old mom and dad to care for the development and welfare of their children. That is complete and utter nonsense.

The truth is that we "all" owe it to each other to act in a responsible manner that promotes the health and welfare of all of our children and our country. To be clear, we are all our brother's keepers. This includes corporate executives, distributors, retailers and parents. We are all in this together.

Do I blame game developers alone? No. As I said, we are all in this together. So, parents need to take the main responsibility of monitoring their children . However, this works both ways. If we all apply some sort of baseline common sense and decency to what we allow to get into the hands of minors we will all be better off. Corporate America is not exempt. Bravo Mr. Cooper for being brave enough to call the gaming industry to the mat. Yes, they can do better.

J.R.

[James_U]

Why Mr. Cooper Gets It!

One question came to mind as I read the replies to this article: Whose responsiblity is it to care for the children of our country? From most of the responses you would think that only a child's parents should care about that child. It is solely up to dear old mom and dad to care for the development and welfare of their children. That is complete and utter nonsense.

The truth is that we "all" owe it to each other to act in a responsible manner that promotes the health and welfare of all of our children and our country. To be clear, we are all our brother's keepers. This includes corporate executives, distributors, retailers and parents. We are all in this together.

Do I blame game developers alone? No. As I said, we are all in this together. So, parents need to take the main responsibility of monitoring their children . However, this works both ways. If we all apply some sort of baseline common sense and decency to what we allow to get into the hands of minors we will all be better off. Corporate America is not exempt. Bravo Mr. Cooper for being brave enough to call the gaming industry to the mat. Yes, they can do better.

J.R.

Neither side fully gets it

I am a gamer and have been for the last twenty years. It has gotten the point where I am tired off and annoyed with the constant complaining by politicians and people like Jack Johnson. I am also tired of the same old stuff being rehashed over and over again by the game industry. At this point I believe neither side fully ?gets it?.

The politicians claim it is all about protecting the kids. This is a very thin truth. If they cared about the kids like they claim they do then why are they not doing more about the child welfare system? I have lost track how many times I have heard stories about overworked case workers and foster parent shortages. This has been going on for years. You many wonder why you haven?t heard much lately. It?s simple. It?s not a hot topic right now but that will change when another kid is found abused or dead at the hands of their foster parents. Politicians claim kids as the reason because they can do a minimum of real work and its something everyone can identify with. No good person likes to see a kid hurt.

The game developers claim it is their right to make the games they want. They are right to a point. They do need to learn that there is more that one way to keep an audience interested. Conflict is required to maintain interest in a story. Physical conflict is not the only way. There is emotional, political, relationship, and sociological conflict all of which can keep and audience if done right.

In the end it comes down to the same generational divide that separated parents and kids as it did with Elvis, The Beatles, Rock & Roll, etc. etc. etc. In time the gamers will replace the current politicians. In time the gamers will be the parents. Then we can sit back and watch this very same argument happen all over again with the next big thing.

Neither side fully gets it

I am a gamer and have been for the last twenty years. It has gotten the point where I am tired off and annoyed with the constant complaining by politicians and people like Jack Johnson. I am also tired of the same old stuff being rehashed over and over again by the game industry. At this point I believe neither side fully ?gets it?.

The politicians claim it is all about protecting the kids. This is a very thin truth. If they cared about the kids like they claim they do then why are they not doing more about the child welfare system? I have lost track how many times I have heard stories about overworked case workers and foster parent shortages. This has been going on for years. You many wonder why you haven?t heard much lately. It?s simple. It?s not a hot topic right now but that will change when another kid is found abused or dead at the hands of their foster parents. Politicians claim kids as the reason because they can do a minimum of real work and its something everyone can identify with. No good person likes to see a kid hurt.

The game developers claim it is their right to make the games they want. They are right to a point. They do need to learn that there is more that one way to keep an audience interested. Conflict is required to maintain interest in a story. Physical conflict is not the only way. There is emotional, political, relationship, and sociological conflict all of which can keep and audience if done right.

In the end it comes down to the same generational divide that separated parents and kids as it did with Elvis, The Beatles, Rock & Roll, etc. etc. etc. In time the gamers will replace the current politicians. In time the gamers will be the parents. Then we can sit back and watch this very same argument happen all over again with the next big thing.

Crime Rate

Did you guys know that the rate of violent crimes has been decling since video games began to become more popoular? There is absolutly no way the two can be linked. If they were, wouldn't it go up?

[Morodir]

Parents don't get it

It really bugs the crap out of me when people don't realize that Video Games in general aren't aimed for children anymore. The Game Industry has grown and matured and much like the Movie Industry there's only a slim line that seperates the two.

You don't hear people complaining about violent movies that much? Why is that? Why focus all this attention on just Video Games? Is it because it's still a new form of interactive entertainment that people can pinpoint the flaws of humanity on? When parents let their children buy a video game the PARENTS should actually pay attention to the rating of the game and see if it's suitable for their little kid. Because God knows that the parents wouldn't let their 8 year old son purchase a movie like Hostel, Saw II, Running Scared, Doom or purchase an Album that contains music about Gangsters, killing people, drugs, sex, etc. There's NO DIFFERENCE!

[Morodir]

Parents don't get it

It really bugs the crap out of me when people don't realize that Video Games in general aren't aimed for children anymore. The Game Industry has grown and matured and much like the Movie Industry there's only a slim line that seperates the two.

You don't hear people complaining about violent movies that much? Why is that? Why focus all this attention on just Video Games? Is it because it's still a new form of interactive entertainment that people can pinpoint the flaws of humanity on? When parents let their children buy a video game the PARENTS should actually pay attention to the rating of the game and see if it's suitable for their little kid. Because God knows that the parents wouldn't let their 8 year old son purchase a movie like Hostel, Saw II, Running Scared, Doom or purchase an Album that contains music about Gangsters, killing people, drugs, sex, etc. There's NO DIFFERENCE!

Crime Rate

Did you guys know that the rate of violent crimes has been decling since video games began to become more popoular? There is absolutly no way the two can be linked. If they were, wouldn't it go up?