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I think that the first violent game that I remember coming out that actually depicted killing was in about 1995. It was an already existing very violent martial arts game called MORTAL COMBAT. There was so much controversy about it when the new version first came out because it allowed the child playing it to actually kill someone and see blood flying when they did it. At first there was even a version with blood flying and one with no blood (for squeamish parents buying it) but still the power to kill your opponent. In the game, you can even cut someone's head off and watch the blood fly. Mothers were picketing the video stores. Groups formed to try to stop it. When was the last time you heard anyone complain about that game? There are lots of other computer video games on the market like that. One that has been around for a long time is called CARMAGEDDON. In that game it gives you points for driving up on the sidewalk with your car and running over a pedestrian and killing them. It shows blood fly when you hit the person. When did you even hear any complaint about that game when it came out?
We are too used to violence for anyone to complain about this new GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE CITY now. Maybe we should be reminded of the words of Alexander Pope again:
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated need but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
- Alexander Pope, Essay on Man (ep. II, l. 217)
With all this "ALARM" you are trying to create about Grand Theft Auto: Vice City right now (and that is good, don't misunderstand me), I just wonder how long the scare will last until we are all just used to it being around and all the picketing and controversy will go away. This new game is just a little worse than other already existing computer video games that depict killing someone. What is the difference between killing your WOMAN martial arts opponent, a WOMAN pedestrian on the sidewalk or a WOMAN you have just raped? Is it the rape we are objecting to now?
Complacency is a powerful thing.
Ho Hum.... Yawn...
Pete