Are Video Game Ethics Justifiable?
The first thing that pops to our minds when we talk about adventurous video games is GTA. The game that has been constantly renewed and developed over the years. Grand Theft Auto V was released five years ago by the company “Rockstar Games. The game is about three criminals roving in San Andreas by doing illegal actions such as theft, killing and escaping the government. Many consider that GTA 5 as one of the most successful and most admired in the history of video games (Klappenbach, 2017). What creates an engagement is that GTA 5 gives the gamers a feeling that they are situated in an open environment instead of an actual game. The new edition of the game gives the gamers the option to explore the map by completing side missions which involve being part of a gang or robbing a place. Despite all these new updates and changes, women’s representation in the game is controversial (Hoggins, 2013). Having the complete freedom to use violent equipment and weapons in order to complete a mission is something to reconsider. For example, at some point in the game the FBI forces you to kill a person after torturing him with tazors and getting the information needed from him (SIiva, 2013). Moreover, women in the game are represented as sexual objects, where you can interact with strippers and prostitutes. That is why countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom banned the game. Therefore, we cannot deny the fact that GTA 5 has played a role in seeing unacceptable actions such as sexism, racism and violence in our society today.
Freedom of speech is an essential human right that cherishes self-determination (Greenawalt, 2005). However, it is important to identify the limits of this freedom and to know when it becomes reasonable for the media to be bias and the reason behind hate speech. There are many movies and shows that portray unacceptable actions and countless topics that have become part of our real world. But, what differs free speech from harm and what are the reasons behind censorship? Censorship varies from one country to another depending on the social and moral beliefs of the citizens. On one hand, for example, in the United States, entertainment media is censored to serve a bigger purpose and if the harm is done on purpose (Packyard, 2013), on the other hand, in Lebanon censorship target different purposes such as religion and race.
Some game designers are facing problems in finding balance between free speech and creativity and the results that may affect the consumers later on, similar to the problems that artists are facing nowadays (Takahashi, 2014). They should be aware that their content is being sold worldwide. That is why, games are being rated by rating systems (Mathews, 2015). GTA 5’s rating is “M” which refers to the people who are 17 and above. The rating system is a way where manufacturers guard themselves from critics which may involve parents attacking the game played by their children. School shootings are an example of how video games such as GTA might affect one’s personal life. Nonetheless, the violence itself is not the issue, but the reason of the violence. When children go through the point of view of the player in the video game, the impact and experience of the game become a part of the player. Violence and sexist acts become normalized to the everyday gamer.
To many, being exposed to violence in films and television shows impacts the viewer harshly which is why censorship from the government towards them is many. However, being an active participant in a video game causes greater effect, as you are in control of the character in the game, while spending hours torturing, abusing, throwing racial slurs, killing, watching blood flow, and all for a money, winning, and greed. Nonetheless, game designers and producers need to think of the ethics behind the artistic decisions made, and do a thorough study. After reviewing the game again, it is visibly teaching the upcoming generation that killing, and stealing is justifiable in order to get what you want. Such things are threating the freedom the older generation worked so hard for, by bringing back old racist and sexist acts.
References
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Makuch, E. (2014, December 03). GTA 5 “Violence Against Women” Criticisms Spurs Ban by Australian Retailer. Retrieved March 26, 2018, from https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-5-violence-against-women-criticisms-spurs-ban-/1100-6423950/?comment_page=15
Sliva, M. (2013, October 14). NYCC: How GTA 5’s Trevor Views the Controversial Torture Scene. Retrieved March 26, 2018, from http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/14/nycc-how-gta-5s-trevor-views-the-controversial-torture-scene-
Suellentrop, C. (2013, September 16). Grand Theft Auto V Is a Return to the Comedy of Violence. Retrieved March 26, 2018, from https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/arts/video-games/grand-theft-auto-v-is-a-return-to-the-comedy-of-violence.html
Mathews, R. (n.d.). Ethical Responsibility of Video Game Manufacturers. Demand Media.
Retrieved from https://www.chron.com/
Packard, A. (n.d.). Digital Media Law / Edition 2. Retrieved March 26, 2018, from https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/digital-media-law-packard/1101187385
