As a rule of thumb, I'm in favor of alternative views. Anything that helps people understand that where one stands depends on where one sits. Mass Effect, for example, was surprisingly subversive as it lead me to a lightbulb moment on the topic of gender roles. I played through that those campaigns several times, as ManShep and FemShep. Seeing how the context changed as the story unfolds just by the gender change allowed me to make sense of ideas I had never understood before.

That's the power of video games over movies and books. The ability to play a role outside of my own experience. To experience the point of view I could never otherwise inhabit. Games that show complexity of the world and shine a light on relativism. It's one thing to says an action is one that should be taken outside of it's context. It's another to say that action is one you should take when you have committed to buying imaginary food for your imaginary family, and that decision is somehow not nearly as easy to make.

Nothing wrong with wanting to be the hero. That's a kind of wish fulfillment people need. I like the other stuff, too. Gaming is a big pool, there's room in it for all kinds of people. If some people just want to play in the shallow end, killing the same cartoon characters over and over again, they are welcome to. If some people want to be the hero with a thousand faces, nothing wrong with that either. If some people want to inhabit a risque fantasy they would otherwise never get the chance to, go for it! I want to see it all find a niche.

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You are, unfortunately, not wrong there either. FWIW, I see where they are coming from even though I think they are wrong and behaving in a counterproductive manner. There are no sterling examples. All I can do is point to an example and say, "hey, can we get more of that?"

Is there room for incestous killer pedophile cannibal siblings?
I don't personally think that murder and torture should be a fed fantasy in the minds of the public myself.

And you can see why I get banned? Please... Every single one of these people including you do far worse. See it everyday.

Herodatus, the Histories

Self-assessment is among the most difficult, challenging tasks a person can undergo: taking a hard look at oneself and admitting to oneself that the ideas we hold are not as unassailable as we previously believed. It isn't pleasant. It isn't easy. It isn't something that can be achieved overnight. In fact, it is by far the single most unpleasant experience I have undergone in my life. I would undergo physical tortures if it meant I could go back and not have to do it myself. Ultimately, though, it is worth it; if only for the sense I was able to make of the world afterward.

You can do it. I believe in you.

What does that even mean are you playing the dr Phil game? You don't know me, I don't know you. That's my point all these toxic gamers who throw around extreme violence, and toxic filth are self reflecting?
You can judge me however you want im just expressing my opinion. The gaming industry is fueled by kill simulations and the companies know they are feeding psychotic minds that will give them more money for more evil. It's not like the 90s where you can just project gore or gibs, no the generation now needs dirty deeds done dirt cheap behind the red paint.

I'm a gamer who plays violent games, I don't have to self shit cause I damn sure know I ain't perfect. But to the point where I wanna play a game like hit man where some of his enemies are sexy nuns or hot female mob bosses? Criminal assassin Sims that are sexually charged? Amd hitmams a mainstream game that's probably the least extreme example I can get.

They actually got a game about killing, skinning and eating human beings now. We have a right as consumers to say these companies who make stuff like this might be mentally insane or even evil to sell asphyxiation snuff towards 3d female models.

Not talking about all gaming or devs. Lotta positive artistic stuff out there. And a lot of trash that is created for the sake of psychopaths that's their core audience. I know cause I'm 40 years old and I seen kids with early criminal records who treated Mario gamers like filth then gta comes out and suddenly they love games. Absolutely true I know without a shadow of a doubt this is true.

You people just can't fathom other consumers who think that it's trash.

I'll be the conspiracy theorist here and just say that's simply the planned anxiety du jour.

Well, as the old Chinese proverb says, you can't make an omelet without eggs.

All I really have to say about it is: if you don't like it, then don't buy it or play it. Just ignore it. Why does it bother you so much that other people are enjoying these things?

We've had some pretty sick stuff going on in horror movies, animes etc. for many years now. Are you going to go on a crusade against those too? Many books could be mentioned that feature some pretty sick, sadistic scenes ...

As I recall it, it is as follows.

You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs.

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As for the Gaming Industry.
Like most things, nothing stays the same or the same for long.

For a while now, there has been significant money to be made in games, and so business folk are attracted to that, who may not even have the slightest desire to even play games or appreciate them beyond profits.

We also live very much in the rat race, which is all about speed and the next great thing.
That means, that taking your time is rarely an option, and that effects many talented folk, and the quality of production and finished state etc. Often the faster folk dictate everything, are deemed more worthy of employment.

Very few businesses take the long view, especially when they have shareholders to account to.

Certainly in my view, as an older person, I see degraded stuff everywhere. Big studios now only want to deal in guaranteed profits, so they often stick to safe choices and don't encourage innovation etc. So that often means remakes and endless sequels, and not just in the gaming industry, but in most if not all entertainment.

Indie developers have sprung up everywhere, even those pretending to be Indie. They sometimes provide good products, but often it is just one great idea and the result can be under baked.

I understand the notion of supporting and encouraging the small developer, but I am not sure it is money wisely spent, especially if they then get snapped up by a big studio who recognizes the talent.

Gaming has become so much more mainstream now, and mindset plays such a big part.

As customers and gamers we are often frustrated. Sure, lots of money for a game, could mean better quality and innovation, storytelling and graphics etc, but how often is that the case. Where does most of the profit really end up. In some ways much of the gaming industry seems to be doing less with more.

Many games certainly go through budget cuts during development.

It seems to me that time frame and expenditure rule everything, especially with major studios. While I personally believe in the longer view. I think a great game will always sell well, and that outlay will eventually be recovered and great profits will occur eventually.

Developers and publishers especially, just need to move out of this mindset, that the game needs to be released by a certain date or it is a failure. Their backers need to understand and support that too, and be in for the long game.

When you think of how many games are incomplete in some way, still have bugs years after release, go without planned sequels etc, it is a crying shame.

I think there was a saying, but I can't remember the philosopher. Or maybe it was in a movie?

Anyway it went something like this: "If you believe in something, you not only have the right to fight for it, but you actually have a moral obligation to try and fight for it"

And I wholeheartedly agree with that. I think we as humans are drawn to "evil" by nature. We are drawn to easy way out by nature. To go against the grain means you have to voice your opinions, otherwise what's the point of having convictions.

Just my two cents.

So, if I believe in (let's say) genocide, I should fight for it?
And not only should I fight for it - I have the moral obligation to fight for it?

All right you got me there, nice one.

It's a little extreme, but pretty much yeah. If you truly wholeheartedly believe that genocide is the answer to world problems, from your point of view you have moral obligation to fight for it. Of course my moral obligation in that situation would be to fight against you, in that instance, and that's what I'd do.

This sounds like Kant's categorical imperative. He was stressing the importance of acting out of a sense of duty rather than inclination or desire, which is one of the central aspects of his moral philosophy. ;-)

Yes, you are most likely correct because what you said is pretty much what I meant. I think I know now whom I'm going to read about next.

Fair enough. However I believe in freedom of expression and that individuals should have the right to consume whatever fictional media they want to, in their spare time. Therefore, it seems natural that myself and Unseen39 are going to come to blows then.

It's a shame. I used to think that I live in a tolerant society, where people are respectful of each other's opinions and freedoms.