the stigma of gaming.
Many people only see video games for what potential bad they can cause. Because of how games are portrayed in the media, there is a stigma associated with video gaming. They are seen in a bad light compared to other forms of media. However, any negative effects that video games could cause can be caused by any other medium, like movies and television. I believe that this stigma is rooted in media conversation, but is kept alive by the apathy of the consumer. There are two main types of people whose opinions matter when examining the nature of this stigma: gamers and non-gamers. Below are personal opinions on gaming that I collected from teens and adults, gamers and non-gamers alike. From the responses I received, it appears to me that most gamers don't care enough about the issue as long as they get to play the games they want while non-gamers differ greatly on the issue. Adults either don't care what their kids play (indirectly fueling the stigma by exposing children to mature content) or are mostly against gaming in general. The sample size was small however, and is not indicative of the overall opinion of these groups -- rather the following opinions are just a small insight into the nature of this stigma.
The combination of these responses shows that every type of person (gamer or non-gamer) contributes to the stigma in one way or another and that it will take change from both sides to reduce the stigma and uncover any merit in games.
Gamer responses.
I interviewed a 14-year old gamer whose parents did not allow him to play mature rated games. He explained that he goes to his friend's house to play the games he doesn't get to play at home. "I don't really care that my parents don't get them for me, I get to play them anyway. Don't tell my parents though!"
A 20 year-old gamer I interviewed said that it doesn't matter what non-gamers think about games because "they'll never understand anyway." He likened the issue to an art critic trying to get the common man to really appreciate splatter paint. The usual person wouldn't see the appeal of splatter paint, just as he wouldn't see the artistic merit of a video game.
A 20 year-old gamer I interviewed said that it doesn't matter what non-gamers think about games because "they'll never understand anyway." He likened the issue to an art critic trying to get the common man to really appreciate splatter paint. The usual person wouldn't see the appeal of splatter paint, just as he wouldn't see the artistic merit of a video game.
non-gamer Responses.
A non-gamer in his 40's who I interviewed has strict rules placed on what types of games his kids can play and for how many hours a day. "I understand that my kids like games but I also know that if you're not careful with what you buy, things can go wrong. I always check the back of the box before I buy so I know what my kids are playing. You can be sure they're not playing Call of Duty for a while."
A 19-year old non-gamer said that she doesn't really know much about games other than phone games. Those games seem harmless to her and she assumed that most games were just like that. When I reminded her of games like first person shooters, she expressed dislike for such games as they "don't make sense" to her. She thinks that games don't have to be violent to be fun (something that I definitely agree with, but I can see a place for violence in games).
Another non-gamer in her 40s said that she doesn't really care what her kids play. She thinks her kids (aged 11 and 16) are mature enough to decide what kind of content they're ready for. The only thing she's not okay with is nudity. "Violence is okay. It already happens in the real world."
A 19-year old non-gamer said that she doesn't really know much about games other than phone games. Those games seem harmless to her and she assumed that most games were just like that. When I reminded her of games like first person shooters, she expressed dislike for such games as they "don't make sense" to her. She thinks that games don't have to be violent to be fun (something that I definitely agree with, but I can see a place for violence in games).
Another non-gamer in her 40s said that she doesn't really care what her kids play. She thinks her kids (aged 11 and 16) are mature enough to decide what kind of content they're ready for. The only thing she's not okay with is nudity. "Violence is okay. It already happens in the real world."