Burning Washington: A Step too far?

[Cameron]

Originally Posted by AA7

Children and civilians are shot everyday. You guys need to wake up, the world isn't perfect. Infinity Ward is trying to make the game the most REALISTIC as possible. The White House burning down does not foreshadow it will. The States have the best security in the world for god sakes.

A lot of you are using your religious views for this argument as well. No offense or anything, but your religion isn't superior to others, just let the game be and forget about it. If you're against it, don't play it.

It's a 17+ Rated game, so talking about this on a Nintendo site gives more biased opinions as most people here are under 17. Go to another forum and you'll see people being pumped up about the story and looking in depth at what Infinity Ward did, rather than bring the most anticipated game of the decade down.

At least someone with a view like me.

[guilemaster]

I don't think they are trying to make the game more realistic. Maybe trying to add more emotion to the game, but definitely not realism, because the game itself is really unrealistic. You're health regenerates, you can kill hundreds of enemies with barely any effort-its a game. So that rules out the realism factor.

Children and civilians are shot everyday. You guys need to wake up, the world isn't perfect. Infinity Ward is trying to make the game the most REALISTIC as possible. The White House burning down does not foreshadow it will. The States have the best security in the world for god sakes.

Alright. People are shot everyday, very true. But not like in the game. Four guys don't walk into an airport and start mowing down hundreds of civilians every day. On a side note, i wouldn't say that America has the best security in the world.

And now I have to ask, how is shooting a civilian different than shooting any other person in the game? In the end, they are both people.

OK I'll answer this too. When you're shooting a Nazi or whatever it is, it shoots back at you. Civilians are unarmed, and can't defend themselves. This complicates the emotions involved. So it is much different. Shooting someone who is trying to kill you is MUCH different then shooting someone who hasn't done a thing.

I'd also like to point out that this is fiction, which means that those people do not exist. Now if the game had you playing as a Nazi soldier killing people in a concentration camp, then that is something I would take issue with, because that was something that really happened to real people. I had more written for you numbered points, but decided to leave it out to keep them from distracting from my point.

Sure the people don't exist. Sure its a fictional setting. But its not too far off from a real event. I'm sure people who were there when the towers fell on 9/11 will feel differently about seeing terrorists in an airport then we will. Unless of course you were there. If that's the case, I'd like to hear what you think about it. People who had family involved will definitely feel strongly about this bit of the game.

Its not real. Contrary to popular belief, most gamers are capable of discerning reality from fiction. Those who can't really shouldn't be playing in the first place, which is why its the parents responsibility to moderate the games, not the developers.

Correct, as i have pointed this out already.

So anyways, sorry about the long post. I just wanted to address everyone's rebuttals.

[Snakepit]

If you're old enough to buy the game, you should be old enough not to be affected by fake people getting shot.

[Yanni]

If you find it offensive, just don't buy the game.

[Kr1sP]

Originally Posted by guilemaster

Well, maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me, but i think i saw children in the airport scene. If the rationale of some people is that the M rating justifies them putting whatever they want in a game, why don't they throw some babies in front of those bullets?

Oh but it'd be fine in a movie right? Yes there were children, not real ones though, so what difference does it make to the world. Does it glorify the terrorism or killing children? It's just entertainment. I've seen movies rated PG13 that were way more gory. I'm not trying to offend you in any way, or argue your own beliefs. It's just that this happens every time. the thing is, people complain about video games more than TV or movies but video games have to be purchased in a store, and you have to be of legal age to buy a game that's rated M. TV's just in front of your kids. It's up to the parents to decide, and to stop trying to decide for others.

Rooster Teeth · Comic Strip

[Oracle]

Originally Posted by Kr1sP

Oh but it'd be fine in a movie right? Yes there were children, not real ones though, so what difference does it make to the world. Does it glorify the terrorism or killing children? It's just entertainment. I've seen movies rated PG13 that were way more gory. I'm not trying to offend you in any way, or argue your own beliefs. It's just that this happens every time. the thing is, people complain about video games more than TV or movies but video games have to be purchased in a store, and you have to be of legal age to buy a game that's rated M. TV's just in front of your kids. It's up to the parents to decide, and to stop trying to decide for others.

Rooster Teeth · Comic Strip

This. Video games are the scapegoats because people believe them to be some sort of killing-simulation. There's an ESRB rating for a reason, and as the poster above stated, it's up to the parents.

[Kr1sP]

Originally Posted by guilemaster

Sure the people don't exist. Sure its a fictional setting. But its not too far off from a real event. I'm sure people who were there when the towers fell on 9/11 will feel differently about seeing terrorists in an airport then we will. Unless of course you were there. If that's the case, I'd like to hear what you think about it. People who had family involved will definitely feel strongly about this bit of the game.

I'd just like to point out that the person you play as when shooting down children is an under cover agent in a terrorist group...at least that's what I heard. Also the children are Russian, parts of the game take place in Russia and Brazil. the game is about the Americans going to war, the White House wasn't exactly up in flames, it was surrounded by heavy security and barricades(unless terrorists seized it). Around it was up in flames. Nothing in this game really relates to 9/11 besides the fact that America is going to war, which they've done before. Besides the middle East is in a way worse condition than America right now but no one complained when a virtual nuke went off there.

[Nobody]

I see nothing wrong. In fact, I WELCOME IT! I've never been through a decimated White house before (or the White house period).

[guilemaster]

Okay it looks like this might be a long post. Sorry.

I'd just like to point out that the person you play as when shooting down children is an under cover agent in a terrorist group...at least that's what I heard. Also the children are Russian, parts of the game take place in Russia and Brazil. the game is about the Americans going to war, the White House wasn't exactly up in flames, it was surrounded by heavy security and barricades(unless terrorists seized it). Around it was up in flames. Nothing in this game really relates to 9/11 besides the fact that America is going to war, which they've done before. Besides the middle East is in a way worse condition than America right now but no one complained when a virtual nuke went off there.

Thanks for clearing this up a bit. There is only speculation on the matter. But i do know that the terrorists themselves were Russian. I've also heard the whole under cover agent thing, but no one has confirmed or denied it yet. So we don't really know that for sure. Does it matter if the civilians are Russian though? It doesn't really change things if the nationality of the people change.

This. Video games are the scapegoats because people believe them to be some sort of killing-simulation. There's an ESRB rating for a reason, and as the poster above stated, it's up to the parents.

There's also an MPAA for a reason. But they are FREQUENTLY paid to lean towards certain ratings. I watched a show about it on the History Channel once. The ESRB is probably involved in shady business as well. But i do agree, video games are often scapegoated as horrible murder trainers.

Oh but it'd be fine in a movie right? Yes there were children, not real ones though, so what difference does it make to the world. Does it glorify the terrorism or killing children? It's just entertainment. I've seen movies rated PG13 that were way more gory. I'm not trying to offend you in any way, or argue your own beliefs. It's just that this happens every time. the thing is, people complain about video games more than TV or movies but video games have to be purchased in a store, and you have to be of legal age to buy a game that's rated M. TV's just in front of your kids. It's up to the parents to decide, and to stop trying to decide for others.

I think people are missing what I am saying. I'm not saying anything about it affecting the people playing. That's irrelevant. All that I've said thus far is that I don't think it was really necessary. That's all.

So please don't misunderstand me, and try to read my posts earlier before jumping in.
I'm not saying that it has an effect on people. It's not gonna turn people into terrorists. Neither have I said anything about caring whether the white house/capitol building is on fire. In fact, I'm pretty apathetic to American politics and wars. Its the actual moral inclusion the bit i don't like. The shooting of people who can't shoot back rubs me wrong.

[Oracle]

Indeed. ESRB has been a bit shady recently, but as long as they're not as uptight as PEGI, I'm fine with it. Also, yes. I can understand if you feel that aspect of the game to be 'morally wrong'. But is it truly that terrible? Games weren't exactly made to induce moral fiber.