DAMN IT ALL TO HELL!

So, a bad movie with lots of blood gore and violence is made, and the movie industry isn't panned. A book with rape and murder is written, and again it isn't panned.


Whatever the means, whether it's for some sick twisted kick or because it's actually making a statement all media and those attributed to it will in some way defend their medium.
They'll either stand in line, take the blows and say "I believe this should be in the medium because of this, it's making a point" or they'll dismiss it saying "Yeah, but I wouldn't go in for that sort of thing". Their media still remains "clean" no matter how many bad uses of sensitive material like sexual violence, inequality/racism and violence are used.




Double Standards
So why is it so different for video games?
One game with anything questionable or controversial is made, and the entire industry is taken in a negative light. Whether it was the whole "Mass Erect" bollocks in the last few years, or something else, video games always get pinned as the medias favourite bugbear for blame.

They're worried they'll pollute young minds, they're worried they'll insult people. They're even worried they'll encourage misogynistic and violent behaviour.

Well here's an idea. Games go through a process that sets age requirements, so why don't the stores just not sell them to kids? Why don't parents actually take the initiative to make sure their younglings aren't playing violent video games?
You wouldn't want your 12 year old daughter watching an 18 movie with lots of blood, so why's it different with a video game?

Stores and parents need to make sure their children aren't exposed to these things until they're mature enough to deal with them.

Shut your mouth, if you want...
As for insults... When did freedom of speech vanish from video games? There might be an insulting book out there but people don't call for it to be banned, it's still an expression of someones opinions.

And as for misogyny and the like, we can choose not to pick the games that directly have that in, I know I stay away from things like Duke Nukem, and while I can't believe they're publishing the 4th one, I also wouldn't call for it to be banned. I'll speak out against it, say how horrendous and alienating it is for the (fairly new) demographic of female gamers, and I'll not buy it.

As for violence... Most games (at least story driven ones) either use violence purely as a game mechanic, or they give it to the player as a choice.

That's the thing. One bad game and all games get crucified. One bad movie is just a bad movie.