I don't Wii. I don't even play computer solitaire. In fact, the last time I interfaced with a computer game, I was 12 and crushing on Mario from Super Mario Brothers (ooh, that mustache!)
But apparently, somewhere between Qbert and Legend of Zelda, these games became candy-colored, illustrated versions of Playboy. I realized this early this morning when, while driving through two kid-centric Chicago neighborhoods (OK, one of them is commonly referred to as "hipster/gentrified" and was the site of Real World: Chicago, but still -- kids live there!) I saw not one, but two huge, in-your-face billboards for Grand Theft Auto. Was there a picture of a car on either of them? No. A thief? Of course not. Unless the double-D-cup, sexed-up cartoon women painted on the 20-story buildings are carjackers of some sort. One was licking a bulbous red lollipop in the most seductive way an illustration could; the other wore a low-cut tank top and did nothing but simply lean forward, her heaving bosom threatening to smother the Windy City.
I'm not a prude -- I know sex is used to sell everything from cologne to vodka. But do we really need gigantic posters-ads targeting young men with their erect comic strip nipples? While they're driving?? Admittedly, I'm not familiar with Grand Theft Auto's target demographic (though I'm sure they're all top-notch winners) but when I tried to visit the site, a prompt requires you to enter your birth date/year, so I'm assuming there's something worth hiding from the kiddies. But then why target them these kinds of ads?
In 2006, we were introduced to "Naughty America: The Game." This online adventure combined one-on-one chat functions and multiplayer dating games with options to interact both online as well as in the real world. Players could also take virtual trips to the tattoo parlor, a sex shop, use their e-apartment to throw a swingers party or indulge in a personal fetish. (Online shopping, anyone?) Naughty America stirred up controversy because it could be downloaded quite easily by an underager (Adult stores required photo ID/proof of age to buy.) So yes, it was marketed as an "adult" game but really, what horny 14-year-old boy wouldn't kill to get his grubby paws on a game that allowed him to do this? (Potentially NSFW, especially if you work in a high school.)
I wonder, what does it say about you if you need to turn to cartoons to get your rocks off?
(Though I must admit, these two always did do a little somethin-somethin for me.)
> (though I'm sure they're all top-notch winners)
So why the hell are you commenting on it then? Enjoy celebrating your ignorance.
Nothing says intelligence and maturity like holding forth on something you admittedly don't understand. Classy!
GTA 4 is a real work of Art, like an interactive film. It's not made for children. And there is a message in there, one that you might actually appreciate, if you weren't too busy playing media-mommy. But I have to admit it's pretty amusing listening to all you dinosaurs drone-on about something you don't care to understand just to make a weak-ass, predictable point. Why not blame Elvis and those damn hips?
The relationships built and nurtured in the game are integral to the story's development; and there are consequences for your actions. Think of it as a choose your own adventure for The Sopranos crowd.
Uh, yes. We do...
1. People who buy the games themselves. These are mostly 25-35, college/university graduates with stable jobs. The gamers and very picky so the games have to be good to be bought.
2. Kids who have games bought for them. Here known brand names and cartoon characters usually persuade moms and dads to buy a product that not necessarily has to be of very high quality.
Most people think that games are solely played by adolescents. While it is true that 15-year-old play a lot of computer games they rarely buy them - preferring rather to download them or copying them from friends. So, few game published actively targets this group as they it is not bringing in any sales.
But then, I could just be bitter from being condescended to so often. I suppose I could watch more wholesome, less controversial, less exploitative fare... isn't the "Sex and the City" movie due out soon?
Since you say that you do not play games or know much about them, let me provide a list of points to consider:
1. One strategy is to educate our kids, so they can put advertising, predatory lending and the GOP in context for themselves.
2. The center of video games' demographic is now 31, not 13. Most games are not for kids.
3. Men spend more time with games than prime time. Count the men in commercials portrayed as idiots.
4. Despite years of effort, just as many studies show that games are helpful as harmful.
5. Animals play to learn, this Ludic behavior predates Homo Sapiens.
6. Johan Huizinga believes that we were becoming Homo Ludens - gaming human.
7. Game theory math was created by John Von Neumann and is used in economics, politics and other things that impact your life.
8. Grand Theft Auto is an easy target. Even people in the industry are a little uncomfortable with it. It has all the same excesses as a R-rated movie.
9. GTA differs from a movie in that the player must decide and learn and so exits smarter.
10. Games are a young medium and are still in the good/evil/boobs stage, but we are developing a language and someday we will create a new literature. Then you and everyone you know will enjoy games.
Check it out-- remember when you were playing Super Mario and the only adults that played video games were those creepy parents that wanted to do exactly what their kids were doing? Well, those folks are collecting social security now.
Those kids have grown up and have adult taste in everything from movies to books to video games (and we occasionally drink booze too).
I'm 30 and I play video games, as I have most of my life, and I'm hardly alone. The premise of your post--that video games are for young kids only--hasn't been true for a long, long, long time.