On Video GamesThe research and the reality

Why look at games?

Games are popular

$11.7 billion in sales in 200817 hours/weekfor male 8th graders

Why look at games?

Why look at games?

Dark Knight (entire box office run)

$550 million(ish) MW2 (first 5 days)

$550 million

Why look at games?

Who plays games?

67% of homesAvg. gamer 34 y.o.40% Females

Why do people play games?

Arousing

Why do people play games?

For the challenge

Why do people play games?

For the competition

Why do people play games?

As a diversion

Why do people play games?

For the fantasy

Why do people play games?

For the social aspect

So… What’s there to study?

Why study games?

Games are violent

90%

10%

Games made for teens and adults

ViolentNon-violent

Why study games?

Games are violent

64%

36%

Games rated E for Everyone

Intentional vio-lenceNon-violent

Why study games?

Kids like video games

Nintendo 64! OMGz!!!!1!!1!!!one!

How are games different from TV?

srsly

Difference from TV

Games are interactive

Difference from TV

YOU make the decisions

Commit to violenceLost? Too bad!

Difference from TV

Effects increase when you like the perp.

Who’s the perp. In games?

Difference from TV

Effects decrease when you relate to the target

Who’s the target in games?

Difference from TV

Perp. and target depend on skill level

Difference from TV

BUT!

Games aren’t that realistic. Right?

Game Realism Okay… you’re just making this shit up as you go

Game Realism

Games are too unrealistic to effect me!

Half Life

Battlefield 3

Game Realism

Does realism matter?

Still, games aren’t TV

Game Realism

Does realism matter?

Games are goal oriented

Game Realism

Does realism matter?

The violence is crazy

Game Realism

Will it ever become real enough?

Uncanny valley

Meet Emily

User-generated content

What about ME, dammit!

User-generated content (UGC)

This stuff is everywhere!

All up in your bed!

User-generated content (UGC)

Games are no exception

Modifications (Mods)

In game built material

User-generated content (UGC)

Mod examples (new games altogether)

Garry’s Mod

User-generated content (UGC)

Mod examples (new games altogether)

Counter Strike

User-generated content (UGC)

Mod examples (new games altogether)

Oblivion turned Dune

Dune!

User-generated content (UGC)

Mod examples (the SEX)

People like sex

88%

12%

Percentage of porn websites

Not pornPorn

User-generated content (UGC)

Mod examples (the SEX)

People REALLY like sex

75%

25%

Percentage of web searches on porn

Not pornPorn

User-generated content (UGC)

Mod examples (the SEX)

Alex Skin (Half Life 2)

User-generated content (UGC)

Mod examples (the SEX)

Topless mod (oblivion)

User-generated content (UGC)

Mod examples (the SEX)

Hot Coffee (GTA)

User-generated content (UGC)

Mod examples (the SEX)

What does this mean for games?

Policy ImplicationsI fought the law and…

Games and policy

Games have negative effects in context

Particularly bad for kids

Games and policy

ESRB to the rescue!

Rating board for games

Similar to Film

Games and policy

How is film/movie policy different?

What are the laws for kids?Barred from theatres

Can’t rent/buy R-rated films

Games and policy

Game policy is similar to film

Minors & M-rated gamesIllicit sale may equal fines

Games and policy

How are games different (policy-wise)

Reactive to public response

Games and policy

Public to policy reaction (Oblivion)

Topless mod (oblivion)

Games and policy

Public to policy reaction (GTA)

Hot Coffee (GTA)

Games and policy

Comparison to movies

DVD Bonus content isn’t rated

Games and policy

Comparison to UGC films

Reorganize what people say

Games and policy

Games are different!

Manipulate games = punish developers

Games and policy

Why are games different?

Maybe, the ESRB saving face

Games and policy

Why are games different?

Maybe, Moral Panic

Games and policy

Moral Panic explained

Kids love gamesParents don’t get gamesIgnorance = fearAssume worst case scenarioDo stupid things to protect kids

Games and policy

Moral Panic explained

ComicsAustralia

Banned games

Is there any hope for games!

We’re all gonna die!

Why you should play games

Games and cooperation

Games getting more cooperative

Why you should play games

Games and cooperation

Reduces adverse effects

Why you should play games

New groups are playing games

Why you should play games Making the world better for games, because of

gamesGames as artGames aren’t scaryGames aren’t evil (for kids)

In conclusion…Yay! We’re not all gonna die!

Why you should play games

Go out and play a game

Go build you social bondsAnd have fun!

MotoHeroz!