The governor's arguments just analyze the surface's problems and, for that, it requires more research on his part.

Great article. I don't mind Violent Media that much. But I can't stand real violence. Like it's been said, our brains distinguish both realities, and that is what makes the difference. I don't worry about my character's death in a game, not in the way I worry about my own life. In a game, I can take some bullets before dying. But in real life, most people would probably die at first or second shot. And that is disturbing. Most people are aware of how simple and easy it is to lose our lives, and that terrifies us...

I hate watching the news and seeeing all the violence. To see something that actually happens makes it uncorfortable, while watching something that doesn't happen doesn't really affect most people. Reason why we can still watch deaths in movies and so on, even though real people are presented there, the situations are not real.

Another excellent article....

It all comes down to the parents, they need to teach their kids right from wrong and I support them keeping violent content (whether it be games or movies etc...) out of the hands of minors (as in little kids, not teenagers). Little kids should not be exposes to those elements but it's the parents job to take responsibility.

Wanting to ban games is the same as wanting to ban guns, it's running away from the real issue.

It's not just the video games, certain movies, music and the whole entertainment medium is full of this type of holes. Personally, being a parent mysef, my kid at the moment is not yet old enough to grasp the idea of playing the video game, but I'm sure I won't put him into the dark room with Silent Hill when he is 2-3 years old...

When he grows up, parents are supposed to educate their kids on many aspects of life - the right and wrong.

This is who I personally blame, parents for lack of personal education and parenting in general. Then of course stupid ideas such as having weapons in the home which are available to everyone..

Well written, couldn't agree more. ;)

I completely agree with this. It's almost like you took the words out of my mouth.

I think on the surface getting parents to talk to their kids about violence in games seems a positive step but it's really sidestepping a crucial point which is the misconception that all games are made for kids including violent ones. Parents shouldn't need to be warning their kids about something that they shouldn't have access to in the first place (unless the parent thinks the child is mature enough to handle it). I guess it's pretty hard to restrict what kids can see but once this misconception that games developers can somehow include sex, drugs and violence in a game because it's a product for children is dispelled the rest is just misdirected.

As for an independent and fair enquiry into the effect of violent video games on people then that is an absolutely stellar idea. I am on board. Good call.

I also believe that if games are such a controversy over violence, then how come there's not as much controversy over violence in movies.  I mean damn, look at how some of these big time actors are betrayed.  I love it, but Samuel L. Jackson is one of the coolest mofo's ever and all he does is talk a bunch of shit, kick ass, and shoot people.  Same as Jason Statham he is insane in his movies, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Mr. and Mrs. Smith even though it was a comedy look how much violence was in it.  I just don't understand and probably never will.

I agree with the media constantly plastering bad things in our face over and over, that's why I no longer watch the news.  I watched a movie, I can't remember which but it was a documentary from a well known man, that shows how much the media in America does this over and over as a constant reminder almost to a depressing point.  However, in Canada they don't glorify the horrible things that happen, they will barely touch on the subject just so people know that something did happen, but will constantly talk about good things in the communities and country.  I'd rather it be like that here.  If you really would like to know as much information about rapists and murderers and such then you can look into it yourself and also look into some counseling at the same time.

That video is one of the best I've seen so far when it talks about gaming and violence. Good post.

He's also one of the few people who actually said the killer was mentally ill and should have been undergoing treatment, unlike half the other politicians talking about the shooting.

There are age ratings for every game. Games, depending on their content are suitable for people over 3, 12, 16, or 18 years old. What Christie said is right: "I have four kids and I don't allow them to play Call of Duty or other violent games". I agree, I wouldn't allow it either if I had children of my own. But he is also telling us what we already know, that kids shouldn't play games that are made for adults. Instead of banning violent games, or any other witch-hunting stupidity, my suggestion to them is to follow strictly what the law about video games says, nothing more and nothing less.

perhaps if the gamespot writers did't use misleading title captions, for their stories, people wouldn't overreact.

Parents do need to be more aware of the things that their children are seeing, doing,eating, and hearing.  Being a parent is quite difficult nowadays, but that's no excuse for losing track of your kids.  Boundaries need to be set and the child needs to know that there will be consequences for breaking the rules.

Video games from a parents point of view should be no more foreign than eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  If you tell your kids that they can't have cake for breakfast, you can tell them that CoD is too violent and no you can not play it.  If you've done your job as a parent then your kids for the most part will listen to you.

Don't blame the games.  Don't blame the music. Don't blame the guns. And most definately, don't blame it on the rain.  Get involved in your child's life and you both will benefit.

nicely put. ive been gaming for more than 25years and ive seen it all when it comes to video games. the link u provided of the suicide actually was the same video in which i first saw real life death about 4 years ago. call me sensitive but that shit haunted me for days after seeing it. i even felt like i was gonna faint LOL. i never had my parents talk to me about video games...but i just had an understanding that its fake and what was right and wrong according to the society i grew up in.

I remember sat on my dads knee while playing Duke Nukem the origional... good times. lol

In the end, it should be all up to the parents if their kids can play M rated games or not. Besides, the ratings games get is nothing more than a recommendation.

You gotta keep in mind that the minimum age to be on this site is 13 years old, and I'm betting there's kids on here that lied about their age. So, if their parents knew more about the games they are playing, and what's in them, their parents might just take them away. Serve 'em right to, especially if they tricked their parents into getting them the game in the first place.

Yeah, I have to say, I'm definitely desensitized to in-game violence, it's not real people, after all. However, I'm still freaked out and sickened by real world violence, because it is real people.