This sums up pretty nicely my opinion of whether or not video games catapult people into violence:

~tod

It would have been nice if Cooper Lawrence had done some valid research before she went on television and accused Mass Effect of containing "frontal nudity and explicit depictions of sexual activity," but we all make mistakes and I respect that she was able to admit hers.

~tod

EA Calls Fox Out on "Insulting" Mass Effect Inaccuracies

Here's the show if you're curious: Keighley Sets Mass Effect Record Straight... Or Tries To

Specifically, I like that in his letter Jeff Brown, V.P. of Communications at Electronic Arts, asks Fox to correct the factual errors in the show versus a demand or legal threat. Pretty classy. And regarding the show...give me a break, other than the last guy that speaks, Cooper Lawrence [the psychology specialist] and the panel members are completely clueless.

Here's my take....

First of all, the ESRB ratings are there for a reason. Parents, use them.

Secondly, the scene that I found on YouTube [search it yourself if you really want to see it] was more mild than stuff I've seen on primetime TV which gets a much, much broader audience.

Thirdly, I've played Mass Effect for 35+ hours and haven't seen even the side of an alien boob, let alone "full digital nudity" or sex.

Finally, the game is a role-playing game. That means the choices you make affect the things that happen. You might never even get the chance to view the scene in question.

~tod

PS: I like Penny Arcade's take on it [their article].

Well, I don't always agree with my state's (WA) governor, Christine Gregoire, but I respect the fact that she's participating in Public Service Announcements (PSA) by the ESRB.

Parents need to be held accountable for the games their children are playing, not the video game companies. I play FPS games [aka: shooters] all the time on my Xbox 360, but not in front of or with my [almost] 4 year old daughter. For her, it's usually Guitar Hero II...done quite poorly [on my part].

Hat tip: Video Game Voters Network

~tod

This is too funny. Be warned though, there are lots of expletives [only in subtitles] if you're offended by that sort of thing.

direct link

~tod