Video Gaming – Media Scapegoat For All Problems
by Cubehouse, HSM Web Designer
I live and work in Bristol, in the UK: one of the cities in England which this week suffered rioting that left cars on fire, businesses destroyed and homes burnt to the ground. I was pretty upset watching the events unfold in London, the city I was born in. But when I watched amateur video footage of people running riot in my own city, just down the road from my flat, it really hurt. It hurt because the community I know and love was being destroyed. But even worse than that, it was impossible to understand the cause or possible resolution to stop this stupidity.
Last night I watched with anger as a party shop caught alight in Clapham – which ironically turns out to be a charity-based business that gives all of its profits to the charity “Street Kids Rescue.” Young people (AKA “youths”) are apparently standing up against “the man” because their lives are so tough and they have no opportunities. These poor, poor people in such extreme poverty, on their iPhones sending messages to each other, driving their cars manically through streets nearly killing innocent by-standers.
You’re probably thinking, “that’s terrible, but this has nothing to do with video games.” Which was my thinking exactly as I watched the horrors on my birthplace and home take unfold.
However, then I read this article: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2011/08/08/london-constable-blames-gta-weekend-riots-city
An un-named police Constable claims, “These are bad people who did this, Kids out of control. When I was young it was all Pacman and board games. Now they’re playing Grand Theft Auto and want to live it for themselves.”
Pill-Popping Pacman
I did a double-take. I don’t remember any mention of rioting in Grand Theft Auto. I seem to remember they were usually about a character getting caught up in bad business and their eventual struggle through the city to build their life. Certainly isn’t anything about burning down a charity shop. I recall when State of Emergency came out on PS2, a game specifically about rioting in a city. How about the more recent Mercenaries? A game specifically about causing as much destruction as possible?
I’m not saying that any of these games are actually responsible. I’m just trying to make it clear that somebody who clearly knows absolutely nothing about video games has no right as an official to make horrific sweeping statements about gamers based on their understanding that “GTA = BAD.” By the same logic, Pacman should be banned on the grounds it promotes taking pills and eating obsessively.
What good are blaming video games to the brave police force that are on the streets, standing up to hundreds of rioters hurling abuse and throwing bricks?
This constable probably should be actually doing something about the current situation, rather than producing mindless reckoning and patting himself on the back with a good day’s detective work now done. Rather than make an investigation and attempt to solve the problem, an official has just said that all of us as gamers are the reason for the horrific criminal acts we are seeing in London.
Crime rates over time
Grand Theft Auto has sold over 124 million copies worldwide and I don’t see tens of millions of people rioting. I don’t see millions. I don’t see tens of thousands. I can barely see thousands. In fact, every time a GTA game has been released, crime amongst young people has gone down – and stayed down. If you look into the figures, there is a similar story for all other age groups, too. (chart source)
It’s sad to think that a lot of the older generation in the media and in official positions appear obsessed with this idea that video games equate to terrible behaviour. My family is not wealthy, I didn’t go to private schools, I worked hard and I’m now 22 and hold a Masters Degree from one of the most recognised universities in Computer Science in the world. Oh, I also absolutely love violent video games and play them regularly. Surprising how quickly people change their opinion when you say that. Suddenly, the charming young man who fought his way through the state school system to be successful could potentially be a mass murderer and might “break” at any moment.
I like to often remind people that there has been considerably more violence in the world because of books, music and even what people reckon might happen to us after we die. People will always blame the easiest target, which right now happens to be video games. This is specially true right now, since the laws surrounding video games are getting some consideration.
What am I getting at? Do I want to ban all games, films and books? No, of course not. I just ask that more people are made aware that you cannot get away with blaming video games for events like these. The riots in London right now are horrific and are ruining businesses and innocent peoples’ lives. It is an insult and a disgrace to trivialise these barbaric acts of criminality by linking it to video games as if they are the cause of all the horror in the world.
I ask people to join the campaign to stop the police using gaming as a scapegoat instead of doing their job, and to stop the media trying to create a negative image one of the most creative and profitable industries in the world.
For more information on the WRONG campaign to do just this:
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/314639/wrong-gta-inspired-children-to-riot-and-loot-in-london/
August 10th, 2011 by Cubehouse | 40 comments
Cubehouse is a very British computer scientist who loves everything PlayStation Home and serves as HSM's webmaster. He lives and works in Bristol, UK and holds a Masters Degree in Computer Science. Cubehouse is working in the internet security and gaming industries.
I’m only now learning of these riots from your story, Cubes. Apparently the spark was the killing of a black male, Mark Duggan, age 30, father of four, alleged gang member and drug dealer, by a white police officer. He was stopped by police while riding in a minicab, but although a non-police issue firearm was found at the scene, according to an Independent Police Complaints Commission there’s no evidence that Duggan fired at the white police officer who killed him. There are reports that Facebook, Twitter, and Blackberry Messenger are being used to organize and coordinate the riots.
If shop owners had the right to defend themselves and their property with firearms, including shotguns, these riots wouldn’t be such a problem.
The man was 29 I believe, he was under investigation by Scotland Yard and was being followed by under-cover policemen.
The investigation is still continuing, but in the UK it is illegal to own a gun (apart from hunting rifles for sport etc). It is apparent he did not shoot at police, but being in possession of a gun in central London is personally pretty stupid. The investigation will see whether he pointed to gun at police or not. Apparently he found out he was being followed (we have no actually yet been told what he was being investigated for).
However, that story is pretty irrelevant. On Saturday, family and friends had a peaceful protest to remember Mark and to seek out answers from the investigation faster. However, it got hi-jacked by people who began rioting and destroying homes and businesses.
The family and friends of Mark say they are appalled and disgusted by the events that have taken place. People are saying it’s because “poor people are showing rich people they can do whatever they like” or it’s because “young people have no opportunities” or “the police are racist”. Everybody is jumping on the bandwagon and claiming it’s for whatever they feel like is unfair in their own lives.
I am sure the family of this poor guy feel horrible about this turn of events, they are the only ones I feel sorry for in all of this because not only have they lost a loved one, he will now forever be remembered as the starting point for all of this violence.
I just finished playing BFBC2 with Grimm, Soph, Speedracer, tsfrj, Secretsquirrel, stevenb, We play a lot together and we yell and have fun. no idea or thoughts of rioting. I owned State of emergency and rioted, I play Gta a lot. nothing ever crosses my mind about burning down a work place where people make money to feed their family.
Our history shows of riots in the 1960’s as well. no link to video games hmm.. must of been that damn rock and roll garbage or that crazy secret agent rioter James bond..
The link to video games is just what some need to link games to violence because they don’t even know their own kids.. if they did they wouldn’t put the blame on just games. it’s how you raise your kid. that will determine if he is home playing games or our destroying peoples property.
“Or Out” destroying property.
I played State of Emergency when I was around 11 years old. I was actually briefly talking to somebody who worked on the game on Twitter, who told me it was an 18 rated game.
Now, in the UK, I wonder how my friend got hold of that game. But in America, I believe an 11 year old is actually allowed to buy it?
Good point about religion being a prime motive in the destruction of many lives throughout history.I’d guess religion and greed are the #1 and #2 biggest reasons for any conflict between humans.This cop is just that,a cop.He’s no expert in psychology or human behavior,he’s entitled to his opinion but it shouldn’t be given any more serious endorsement than that.This sounds to me like someone trying to make sense of a senseless situation but ending up sounding like a quack pseudo-intellectual.Ppl don’t just go from happily playing video games 1 min. to stark-raving mad rioting in the streets the next simply because a game showed them some violent stuff.It usually takes a blend of long standing social problems that have simmered for years combined with a “sparking” event,like the shooting of a possibly innocent man,to set things in motion.Anyone that seriously advocates video games as the cause here has an agenda against video games,but I’m not sure this cop is serious.Meaning that he was probably in some state of shock or exhaustion when he said that,I think that if he thought it over for a couple stress free days he might say something different but if he still clung to this view I’d think him a kook.
I do agree with the points you raised, I think really, that as a policeman you should not be allowed to make statements like this to the press.
Alternatively, you could argue the press shouldn’t have taken this comment from an obviously uninformed policeman so seriously.
Cubes, I really feel like the media is to blame here. The cop isn’t even named in the story, and there’s no indication that he was “making a statement to the press.” He was probably just some guy exhausted and stressed out, trying to clear the streets, some reported happened to be on the scene, and the media just want to sensationalize this for ratings and web traffic. As far as I’m concerned he could blame the riots on little green men from Mars, I really couldn’t care less. I think the police and the British government have more serious problems to worry about than some cop who doesn’t like GTA and said so within earshot of the media.
I disagree, I believe as a member of the police force, you have an obligation to not talk to the media about your own personal reckoning.
If you are a member of a team, I think everything you say in respect to anything related to the team should be considered as if said by the entire body of people.
Excuse me, but as I just pointed out in my post, there’s no evidence that he spoke to the media at all. He isn’t even identified by name. In my opinion, it’s a sad commentary on the state of “journalism” today that such an unattributed quote would be printed for obvious sensationalistic purposes.
I have to agree on that one Aeternitas, too many times people are quoted out of context or misquoted entirely by the press who are only seeking to boost their readership by any means. Newspapers are struggling in today’s internet laden reality, and they will do and say anything to stay in the game I am sorry to say. For all we know this cop doesn’t exist the way things are today.
“the unnamed police constable advised residents in Tottenham”
I know he didn’t say it directly to the press, I think publicly informing members of the public individually is still making a statement as if it is an official announcement.
Every word that comes out of a police officer’s mouth is NOT an official announcement.
Didn’t say it was, I said it should be treated like it was.
Let me put it in a real life scenario that actually happened. A teacher at a local school told parents they felt it appropriate to cane children as punishment. What do you think the school thought about their teacher saying that?
Well, according to your argument the school system can’t say anything can it? Since a teacher said it, it must be an “official announcement.”
Unless you care to change your stance and agree with me that random police officers and random school teachers are not making formal public policy statements on behalf of their police depts / school systems every time they open their mouths?
Never said “public policy statements”. Do you honestly believe that as long as you aren’t the chief of police, head of education or the prime minister, you can say whatever you want without either offending people or consequences?
People look up to the police as a source of information, security and trust. Abusing their stance as an official to destroy the reputation of fine and intelligent individuals like yourself as scum and thugs is apparently fine by you?
I was born and raised in London, and Im shocked and appalled, and in some cases deeply concerned by the scenes in London. It’s hurt me alot to see my own City disrupt into chaos and destruction. It is true though that the media will look for the easiest scapegoat and Videogames more or less becomes the most convenient.
My response to that is that videogames aren’t even Anti-Social, in fact with online connectivity it brings people together a hell of alot more than it did 20 years ago. Some games such as ‘Little Big Planet’ encourage teamwork building and basic problem solving using a group.
It is true that Police and media will instantly turn to games such as Doom or GTA just to prove an absolutely Useless point that they encourage violence, I’ve seen movies far worse than this, should we ban movies too?
If no parent has actually bothered to notice yet, these games all have ’18’ printed squarely on the cover of these games. It’s therefore their responsibility when buying a game. And in some cases i have seen a parent aimlessly buy what seems to me a twelve year old son a “GTA” game. This wont turn him into a violent yob in future generations to come, but he wont really understand it. Because the age rating on some games isn’t so much just for it’s content, but also on the players maturity and ability. And i do think this should also be recognised.
Yes, I’m an adult, Im over 18 and well over 21, almost five years into becoming fourty. I buy ‘adult’ games, but as an adult gamer, like many others out there, I can safely say we dont always play games with blood and gore, we are just as happy to play ‘Little Big Planet’.
I played ‘Mortal Kombat’ in my youth way back in 1993. Most of the violence in that game will seem pretty tame by todays standards. I had social issues as a young teenager, coming home to play these games on a console did the opposite of me going out on the rampage and willfully hurting somebody, they actually ‘calmed’ me.
Yes laws are changing around videogames, and in light of ‘Mr Stupidiys’ comments, something good (or bad) will come of this. Gamestore owners may probably take the selling of 18 rated videogames as seriously as buying a movie.
Thanks Cubes for putting this out there.
I remember I was IDed a few years ago to buy a game and at first I was pretty annoyed. On reflection a short while later, I was sort of glad that the shop in question was actually upholding the law correctly.
In the end however, as you said, the parents usually buy the games. They far too often just assume it’s somebody else’s responsibility to regulate game content for their children.
I actually worked in a retail store for a couple years. One woman came in with her son, who was less than 10, to buy a GTA game. I asked her if the game was for the kid. It was. I asked her if she was aware that it involves murder, thievery, arson, prostitution solicitation, extortion, mugging, cop killing and general mayhem. That the player is not only encouraged to break the law in any way they can but that they are rewarded. She was. She then bought the game and handed straight over to her child.
Some parents don’t care. I thank any teller that cards me. Not because of the “oh they think I’m young enough to be carded, tee hee” factor but for the fact that they care enough about games being regulated, as they should be.
Mr. Stupidiy?
You know, CheekyGuy, people are allowed to dislike video games. It’s not a crime as far as I know.
And if I was living in England, I think I’d have a little more respect for someone who’s risking his life every night so that I could sleep safely in my bed.
I respect the police officers a great deal. But I struggle to have respect for an individual who holds zero respect for me as gamer and blankets me as a mentally unstable rioter.
It’s rather sad to see the large quantities of sensationalism going on in what is considered “credible journalism” today. It’s even sadder to see the public lapping it up and taking it for gospel. I wonder when (or if) the pendulum will even begin to swing back the other way…
I am sorry to hear about these terrible events in England. When I was 15 years old I was living in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. In July 0f 1967, the city experienced one of the worst riots in the history of the United States that left 43 people dead, destroyed over 2000 buildings, and left 467 people injured. This was before video games were ever invented. I have spoken to many younger friends who have clearly stated to me that video games kept them off the streets and out of trouble. So for anyone to say that video games + kids = violence is ridiculous. I believe much the opposite, it gives them a safe place to vent their frustrations instead of on real world people. Here is a link about the riots in Detroit, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_Detroit_riot I can still remember those days clearly as we stayed at home and waited for the outcome.
Many give the 1968 Detroit Tigers winning the World Series credit for helping to heal the city, a sporting game.
I am wondering if video games which give people something to do can help people stay out of trouble.
It can be argued that video games instigate violence in some people but sporting events themselves arguably instigate violent behavior in spectators according to some, i.e. soccer matches.
People see what they want to see and formulate opinions on the cause of violence.
The topic of todays “journalism” is something my friends and I talk about quite often lately.From mega-corporation owners that don’t want the boat rocked to “reporters” that have gotten so lazy that they just “phone in” their articles the state of “journalism” today is in sad,sorry shape.”Investigative reporting” is all but dead,as is most unbiased,critical thinking,at least in the larger media outlets.Any story that might take some time or effort to develop either gets axed by cost-cutting efforts or is just avoided by reporters so that they can concentrate on the quick and easy stories.It’s kinda sad really,the press which was once the vibrant voice and friend of the ppl has become just a tool for the most part,of course there are exceptions but they are few and far between.
I think. to some extent, that malaise is a result of realizing that no matter how much work goes into an article, no matter how well researched, the majority of the US public reads anymore -- unless it is to dig out the spot where the ‘pull quote’ came from. History now is being told in sound bites and headlines. Critical analysis is lost on the short attention span folks who want simple black and white jingoism and who respond with knee-jerk predictability. Look at the responses most posts that are longer than one paragraph receive in the Home Forum! I rest my case.
oops -- sorry, meant to say “the majority of the US public doesn’t read anymore”
Spot the pull quote, or spot the typo. It never ceases to amaze me how the functioning illiterate seems to joyfully point out a missing letter or comma. I stopped reading an automotive blog I used to frequent because the readership seemed more hell-bent on pointing out typeset flaws than actually reading and comprehending the content.
bah. They blame games now, they used to blame comics, then it was rock and roll. There was actually one point where books, as in the ability to read, was being blamed for all this stuff. Society just blames whats “new”. Sad thing is these sorts of things have always happened and always will. Imagine if the media existed in the middle ages! Todays world is tame in comparison.
When something else comes out, some new form of entertainment, that will be the scapegoat. Until then. Its games.
Like it or not, we are seen as ‘representing’ any recognized group with whom we are affiliated. I got a dose of that when NorseGamer asked me to please ‘take the high road’ when attacked in the HomeForum. Anything one of us says publicly is interpreted to mean that all of HSM feels the same way. I know how frustrating it is; I have spent so much time on the ‘high road’ lately, I am getting altitude sickness. So I can understand that the policeman was tired, angry, and frustrated. But he was also mistaken in his assumption and did not stop to consider the repercussions.
And Gideon is right. Over the past 70 years that I can remember, some outside cause has always been blamed for society’s ills. In my day, it was movies -- and then television came along in the 1950’s with those “violent’ westerns and detective shows and it became the scapegoat along with ‘commie sympathizers’ and integrationists ‘stirring people up and causing trouble’.
Keara, “represent” does not mean “speak on behalf of.” I don’t speak on behalf of HSM and I would never claim to. Norse does that. But our statements do reflect on HSM, and so to me that means there are certain standards we should adhere to. For example, doing adequate research on an issue before posting rather than jumping in and making uninformed comments. Debating issues and not personalities, i.e., no personal attacks. And also making constructive criticism rather than taking every opportunity to bash Sony. As for being attacked, and this is something I just told Norse, I think the point is fast approaching where people who have a grief with Sony are going to start scapegoating us the same way that I see HCVs being scapegoated in the forums. So here’s to more “altitude sickness.”
I agree Aeternitas, I think that the more popular the magazine gets the more there will be people taking pot shots at us. I for one intend to join the “high road” club and stay there for good. It does no one any good to add fuel to the fires that will break out as time goes on, so I choose not to and go on with my life, because in the scheme of things, what someone else has to say about me or to me only means as much as I choose to let it.
This is what we were trying to talk about Saturday night…
And while you know and I know the difference between “represent” and “speak on behalf of” it doesn’t mean the populace at-large does, especially in the current global climate. Assuming they do can lead to all sorts of unintended miscommunication.
This is what happened in this case, and in the rush to one-up competitors, the media took it as fact. If you read here: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2011/08/09/london-evening-standard-corrects-game-blame-headline-daily-mail-runs-it you’ll see one UK media outlet redacted the statement, realizing their error, whilst The Daily Mail (which -- from what I’ve heard -- is what would happen if Fox News and the Enquirer had a love child together) still took the the statement from the constable in question as the gospel; as if the whole police force also believes this.
If he had just kept quiet on the matter (as they are trained to do), this would not have even been an issue. That said, you just know some advocacy group would have made the same false accusation; the difference being they are not public servants.
Your last sentence could,and I believe should,apply to the often talked about trolls as well.The main problem I see about not adding fuel to a fire,and this applies more to individuals than groups but it could apply in certain situations,is this.By trying to avoid a bigger fire you might be leaving yourself undefended against the unfounded accusations of others which might in turn lead to others thinking there is some truth to those accusations.
That may be true to some extent but I still believe that it is best not to dignify blatant personal attacks in any form with an answer. In the long run it only adds to the problem, and the people who really count in your life and know you personally know the truth, and for me they are the only ones that matter. I believe that when you refuse to respond to someone it eventually makes them look foolish to continue and they stop. This tack has worked for me many times in real life when I worked in the bar scene, so I will continue to use it.
I wasn’t trying to persuade you to change,in fact when dealing with groups your method is probably best,if the group/s in question care anything about how they are percieved publically.I was just pointing out something that might not be considered when making this decision.I think when it comes to individuals however things get stickier.
What I mean about stickier is that occasionally it’s the ppl who you thought you knew best or were close to you that make the personal attack.In such a case if you say nothing mutual friends will most likely think the accusation is true or at the very least become quite confused about what is going on.Unlike a group that wants to portray a certain image to the public an individual usually cares more about how it’s other friends will react to these personal attacks and seeks to convince mutual friends that the attacks are not true.I know how it is,when everyone is happy and getting along nobody thinks their nearest and dearest could do such a thing but it does happen,sadly.The right to confront 1’s accuser was added to the U.S. Bill Of Rights for a very good reason,occasionally it’s the only way to ascertain a false accusation from true wrongdoing.A group may experience a similiar situation when a former member leaves and makes accusations but there are other factors involved in group dynamics that probably outweigh any need to defend itself.Therefore like I said before I think your “High Road” approach is usually the best for groups that care about public perceptions.
You know this article has some similarities to what I was trying to say in my article.
Blame can equal profit for some forms of media. I kept up with what was going on in england at the time of those riots through Battlefield 3. My english friend who is a killer in BF3 was upset by the samething you were in this article. In almost every case that people try to blame a medium for a persons decision to act recklessly, they have failed. Look at the Ozzy Osborn case that came up years ago. I think it is just people looking to point a finger so they can feel better having an answer to what they think is the actual problem. Ultimatley it is that person or persons choice to act that way. I doubt that anyone was thinking of BF3 or GTA when they burned those shops down.