The Ethics of Digital Games

Review on the "Gamer revolution" (CBC documentary, 2007)


1. What are some pros and cons of playing videogames for individuals and societies?

Pros:
In terms of individuals, firstly, players can be entertained by the attractive visual world. Secondly, players can release their pressure, for example, they can find a way to let off emotions in shooting games gain. Thirdly, players can gain knowledge, for instance, they can learn how to plan a future life by playing the Sims. Fourthly, players can train their strategic intelligence and reaction ability.

In terms of society, firstly, prosperous game industry can advance the economic development since the annual consumption of video games is enormous, and the related activities such as game competition brings along lots of profit. Secondly, a new kind of career,professional game players, is emerged, being a victorious game player in Korea can gain a rich prize and establish a reputation. Thirdly, video games can be a medium of advertisment and promotion, for example, the US army using video games to attract teenagers to join them.

Cons:
In terms of individuals, firstly, the relationship of family may be badly affected. Secondly, the problem of addiction, teenagers may be plunged into the visual world, and spend most of the time on playing games. Thirdly, the violent massage may affect the mental health of the players.

2. Is there any evidence that digital games can encourage aggressive values and anti-social actions in the real world? Do you agree?

The film have mentioned several examples on this. A scientific research has showed that violent video games will arouse aggressive values and violent ideas. Also, there are news that teenagers deliberately killed someone in the real world, and considered as being affected by the violent video games.

In my opinion, if game players devoted too much time on playing digital games that contain excessive violent and bloodly scenes, they may find it difficult to distinguish the reality and the visual world, and therefore increase their chance of behaving aggressive and anti-social actions.

3. Should governments have the right to ban certain games? Why or why not?

I think governments should not have the right to ban certain games, because it would restrict the freedom of creating video games. But I think an age restriction or a labeling scheme is a better way to protect children and teenagers to stay away from excessive violent messages, in order to have a healthly mental development.