the interpretation of videogames in the media

THE INTERPRETATION OF VIDEOGAMES

IN THE MEDIAA brief presentation on the totally

uneducated and blatantly misguided accusations on videogames as portrayed on

the big screen.By: William Mcgaw and Shelbie Corral

Media, as well as influential politicians both portray videogames as ultimately harmful sources of graphic and intensive violence that can serve not only to desensitize and demoralize children, but

down society as a whole.

Checking in With JackBy: Andy Chalk, Published: April 21, 2009, Source: EscapistMagazine.com

. A brief recap of Jack Thompson’s recent exploits in the world of anti-video game activism, as well as the legal world.

. As a previous attorney, he possesses a clear ethos in the world of law. This gives more impact to his view videogame retailers should be liable to lawsuit should they sell M rated games to minors

.Appeals to pathos , as well as logos with his constant claims involving the protection of children from such intensive gore and dismemberment. It is fact to many after all that violence is bad for children.

Obvious contempt for the game, as if saying: “Yeah, this game can bite me.”

Was Congress Misled by "Terrorist" Game

Video?Highly paid defense contractor claims that a fan made video for Battle Front 2 is recruiting people to join Al Qaeda

Pathos: Terrorism, Al Qaeda, children, need more be said?

Obama Sees Gamers as UnderachieversBy: Tori Floyd, Kotaku.com on February 20, 2008

. Obama has several political victories under his belt, though at the expense of the integrity of gamers

.Ethos is present simply in the form of his charisma, if he says something, a person is liable to believe it.

. The appeal to the wellbeing of the children in their underachievement due to videogames is an appeal to pathos

Very charismatic face, smile, and fro, as you can see.

Australia's Jack Thompson?

. Michael Atkinson expresses his distaste for the “nerds” who question his “for the children” escapades

. Pathos: He claims to disapprove of an R18+ rating for games on the basis of protecting the children

Fox News: “SeX-Box?”Fox news discusses the controversy revolving around the sex scene in critically acclaimed game “Mass Effect”

Pathos: Lots of talk about how said content is harmful to children

Ethos: The woman to the left is a psychologist speaking of the desensitizing effects of violence and sex on children

Logos: Mention of studies in Maryland are made

The Political Game: A brief history of video game legislation

A brief nuance into the history of American legislation as it pertains to videogames

Logos: Many proposed laws, and many deemed unconstitutional

Video Game Censorship in Germany: How it works, how it doesn’t

Some insight on how Germany rates and classified games

Logos: Laws and policies is really all there is to be found in this article

Side Note: No Nazi propaganda, ever, at all

Pathos: A child killing over videogames tugs at the heart strings pretty well Logos: States that videogames can present brutal environments, very true

The Other Side

Military Training Is Just a Game

Game’s aren’t just fun, but make excellent military special equipment simulators for fractions of the cost of real equipment

Pathos: Stirs some incredibly vivid scenery in the eyes of the reader within the first few paragraphs

Logos: Again, price cuts

Xbox 360 Modded to Detect Heart Attacks

A “Rare” (game developer) engineer has modded an Xbox 360 to detect heart attacks

Pathos: Helping hospitals, what more can be said?

Logos: Statistics, such as dramatically cut prices for hospital equipment

Soldiers and Demomen Face Off in TF2 "WAR" Update

Valve has encouraged some healthy competition with their new “WAR” update

Pathos: The secret weapon stirs feelings of excitement

Logos: 2 classes, 1 gets 4 weapons, 1 class gets 3. Facts, people! ^^

William hopes the Demo wins =)

Conclusion

The media more often than not takes many steps in pointing out the supposed “evils” of videogames, but doesn’t quite

take the initiative to gain a proper understanding of what they are labeling

as such.

Works Cited