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The Times Advocate, 2004-06-09, Page 1616 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, June 9, 2004 Violence in video games examined By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Just what effect does vio- lence in video games have on today's teens? That issue was explored at a public forum at South Huron District High School May 31. University of Western Ontario computer science Prof. Mike Katchabaw spoke to parents, teachers and students on an industry which seems to constantly be in the news for the level of violence it shows. Katchabaw said the issue of violence hi video games started in 1976 with the game Death Race. Primitive compared to today's standards, players in the game control a car to run over a series of zom- bies. At the time, people wanted the game banned; now it is "incredibly, incredibly tame," compared to the realistic violence por- trayed in today's video games. Katchabaw said there are many different opinions on whether violence in video games encourages violent behaviour by its players, but it's too early to draw con- clusions. Simply put, video games haven't been around long enough to determine if they've had a sociological affect on play- ers. Katchabaw said violence in video games got more realistic and bloodier with Mortal Kombat, which created anti- violence protests in the United States and led to reforms of regulations in the gam- ing industry. A ratings board was formed, but it's regulated by the gaming industry and isn't enforced. Katchabaw said it's up to retailers how closely they follow the ratings on games and who they sell the games to. Other examples of violent video games are Carmageddon and Manhunt, the for- mer which allows players to kill children and elderly women. The game was banned in many countries. Manhunt is the most recent controver- sial video game. In it, players are award- ed bonus points depending on how brutal their killings are. The Ontario Film Board placed a Mature rating on the game, meaning buyers of the game have to be 18. Katchabaw said opponents of violence in video games can desensitize children to violence. He pointed out 80 per cent of the games preferred by young people are violent. Also, the games portray violence as justified with no negative effects and players tend to be rewarded for violent behaviour. Katchabaw quoted a U.S. Army psy- chologist who said violent video games are teaching children to enjoy killing. Those involved in the Columbine and Beltway Sniper murders in the U.S. were apparently playing violent video games before the murders. But, Katchabaw cau- tioned, opposition to vio- lence in video games has to be taken with a grain of salt because much of it comes from American lawyers looking to build cases against video game companies. On the opposite side of the coin is the gaming industry, who says violence in video games is harmless and there are no links between video game violence and violent behaviour in reality. Defenders of the industry note that violent crime among youth has decreased dramatically since 1990, while video game use has gone up. Katchabaw said it's difficult to know which side of the argument to believe, although he thinks the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. "Every experience we have changes us," he said. "Yes, there probably will be an effect." He said the matter warrants scrutiny, although it hasn't been proven how much damage this violence causes to the minds of the players. Studies have shown there are links, but there isn't enough data to say for sure violent video games will make players violent in reali- ty "Yes, there probably will be an effect." — UWO COMPUTER SCIENCE PROF. MIKE KATCHABAW, ON VIOLENCE IN VIDEO GAMES. Some of the games, he said, offer noth- ing but violence. Katchabaw said if you take away the violence from a game like Manhunt, there is nothing left. There's no moral or message to the game. "There's basically no use to the game whatsoever." Also, Katchabaw said it's a bad game and not fun to play. As usual, the controversy sur- rounding Manhunt has caused sales to increase. "Nothing sells better than a big contro- versy," Katchabaw said. Violence in video games can be a stress -reliever, he added, because the games allow players to do things that are socially unacceptable in reality. He said the controversy today over vio- lence in video games is similar to earlier decades where heavy metal music or Dungeons and Dragons were blamed. Society looks for easy solutions to prob- lems, Katchabaw said. "We need some- thing we can lay blame on." Another controversy over video games is the addiction issue. Video game addic- tion can lead to job loss, failing in school and the breakdown of relationships. There's even a case of death from video game addiction in the U.S. One game that has received much attention due to its addictive nature is Everquest, an online game played in real time. Opponents of the game call it Evercrack. One player spent 12 hours a day on the game for a year before killing himself in front of his computer screen. In August 2003, a three year old died from heatstroke after being locked in a car while the mother played Everquest. Video game addiction can lead to isola- tion, being prone to boredom, low self- esteem, depression and awkwardness. The problem in blaming these things on video games, Katchabaw said, is that a lot of the people who play these games may already have these problems. He said there are a lot of factors in a per- son's life that lead to addiction, and the games are probably an element. He said video game players can get emotionally attached to characters in video games, much like you can from reading a book or watching a movie. There is a social component to many online games which leads to a false sense of relation- ship and identity. Also, many online games never end, which causes players to keep playing. Katchabaw said video game addiction is a problem all over the world and he thinks governments will step in if the gaming industry doesn't do a better job of regulating itself. "The industry needs to take a stronger look at what it's doing," he said. Katchabaw encouraged parents to talk to their children about the games they play and keep informed of the type of vio- lence portrayed. He said some parents are completely unaware of the level of violence in the games their children play. He said if parents are concerned their children are spending too much time on the computer playing video games or using instant chat programs, then per- haps they shouldn't have their own com- puters in their bedrooms — keep the computers in a family room where use can be monitored. There is also software available to police and regulate what children can do on video games. As for instant chat services like MSN or AOL, Katchabaw said there is nothing wrong with the software as long as it is used properly, but it can be used in harmful ways. Again, instant messaging can be blocked on computers. "It's definitely a complicated situation," he said. He said the inventors of the Internet never envisioned the general public and corporations using it. "We're using this stuff in ways it was never meant to be used." For more information on video game ratings, visit www.esrb.org. "Nothing sells better than a big controversy." — UWO COMPUTER SCIENCE PROF. MIKE KATCHABAW *It Carr+nc ;I f track and fie Rebecca Butler winds up a shotput throw June 8 at Mt Carmel's track and field day while (below) Wilson Figueroa makes his jump at the long jump pit. (pho- tos/PatBolen) Windows Anstett closing its doors smashed EXETER — On June 5 at 7:15 a.m. OPP were called to Pryde Boulevard in Exeter over damage done to vehicles. Sometime through the night some- one entered the driveway of the residence and smashed windows out of two vehicles, a blue four - door 1997 Ford Taurus and a beige 2003 Dodge Caravan. A blunt object was used to smash the rear window, windshield and two side windows of the Ford while the rear window was smashed out of the van. According to police, neighbours reported the damage may have hap- pened around 1 a.m. Damage BLUEWATER — On June 6 shortly after 9 a.m. OPP were called to a resi- dence on Victoria Lane in Bluewater over vehicle damage. Sometime through the night a blue 1995 Dodge had the rear window smashed out when a person threw a rock through it. If you can help solve these casesof vandalism call the local OPP office or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). A longtime Main Street business in Exeter closes its doors for the final time Saturday, when Anstett Jewellers will close after 25 years in Exeter.Anstett presi- dent David Anstett, left, and vice-president Michael Anstett, right, thanked Judy Dalrymple, centre,"for 25 years of outstanding service as a sales association and manager." The Anstetts also thanked their customers for supporting the business. The company continues to run jewelry stores in Goderich, St. Marys and London. (photo/Scott Nixon)