Adam Sessler Addresses the Violent Video Game Debate on Fox News [FIXED]
By Nick Henderson on January 30th, 2013 (16 comments)
Adam Sessler, currently the editor-in-chief at Revision3 has long been someone whom I feel has managed to handle complex and sensitive topics with a sense of grace and objectivity. With the tragedies in Sandy Hook Elementary and Aurora Colorado once again stirring up the violent video game debate, Sessler took an opportunity to speak to Fox News and present a well organized argument against those placing blame on the gaming industry.
I for one certainly wont deny the violent nature of games but I do tend to fall in line with Sessler's final argument (an argument that many have tried to make in the past but not quite as eloquently). Violent Games are not for children and are instead intended for people who are mature enough to process and compartmentalize the subject matter.
In all honesty though, it is hard to place blame on any one aspect of our society for these kinds of events. My first instinct would be to place blame not on the content itself but the way publishers market this content to the public. With that said, their primary concern is staying in business and making a profit so I understand why it works out that way. Is it the parents fault? What about the film industry? There are too many factors to point the blame at any ONE of them.
I'm just pleased that there are still people in this industry who can speak on our behalf in such a respectable manner. Thanks for keepin it classy Adam!
Nick Henderson
I have been around since the very early days of 4Player but you may know me as “the short one” or the guy who is really into Dexter and that sweet new DmC reboot. I am a gaming enthusiast at my core and I love sharing my opinions on the subject with anyone who will listen. I am a cautious optimist and will try any game at least once. When it comes to gaming, I prefer to leave no stone unturned.
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This is an indeed a discussion that is important that we have, and that we as gamers don't throw under the bus just to protect out own hobby or life style. I am to tired to start it here, but Sessler does point out the most of the arguments I often try to present, but don't get across as well as him.
Link / ReplyWhy bother having guests on the show when you're only going to give 'em a few minutes to make their case?
Link / ReplyPretty sure it's the parents fault. When I was a kid, I was not allowed to have ANY access to mature rated games because my parents would never allow it. Either way, though, I highly disagree with the argument that kids turn violent by playing VIDEO GAMES because a criminal mind is way different than one might imagine.
Link / ReplyOnce again, you have to give it to the Sess. If any of you have yet to watch any Sessler's Soapbox or his new show Sessler's Something both are amazing. Sessler has an ability to deliver his point with an eloquence that I rarely see in game journalism.
Link / ReplyI honestly envy Mr. Sessler's ability to make coherent points on the spot with the consistency and, like Victus said, the eloquence that he has. Great great interview Adam.
Link / ReplyI do find it amusing that you have age ratings on products in USA, but they are not enforced. It makes me wonder why bother rating them at all then? Over here ratings are strictly enforced, but of course a parent could still buy an 18 game for a child if they really wanted to. But that parent will know what they are doing, as their child would be unable to buy it themselves.
Link / ReplyThat's exactly how it works here. A child cannot buy an M rated game, a parent must do so for them. The thing is it happens ALL the time and parents are suddenly wondering why their child is playing a game so violent.
Link / ReplyI am mistaken in stating that the ESRB ratings are not legally enforced though?
Link / ReplyThey aren't because, technically, they can't be; same thing with movie ratings. All the can do is warn people about what the product entails.
Link / ReplyThey are not legally enforced, just like movie ratings are not legally enforced. In both cases however movie theaters or game stores choose to enforce those rating themselves to avoid criticism from parents, religious groups, etc. Very rarely will stores sell mature-rated games without checking ID, or let minors watch R-rated movies. I know I was carded many times in my youth. The difference is we do not make it a crime, because having the government (or in the case of ratings, a non-governmental association) censor any material through force of law is considered a violation of our freedom of speech. Other countries, like Australia for instance, insist on censoring games and removing violence. This means that even adults cannot play the original versions without importing them.
Link / ReplyNo, ESRB is not legally enforced, just like movie ratings. However, there's a newly introduced bill that is trying to make ESRB rating a requirement: http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/287/text
Link / ReplyAh, Adam Sessler, so eloquent. Calmly throwin' down the facts. Can't ask for anything better than that.
Link / ReplyFinally some logical arguments are brought to the table. I really feel for gamer's in the US during times like this politicians seem to make them the easy target.
Link / ReplyAt least we're not gamers in Australia, Germany, UK....
Link / ReplyCan we get a mirror, the video was taken down?
Link / ReplyAll fixed.
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