Journal Entry #11

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/weekinreview/22itzkoff.html?ref=technology
The final chapter in the video game series Metal Gear Solid has been recently released to Playstation gamers. A game based around the renegade soldier Snake Eyes, the game addressed the personal, political, and private interest struggles of those who fight at war.
While it seems critics have become less satisfied with cinematic insertions, which were stated as sometimes going on for more than 30 minutes in the game, the underground chalk world of gamers are more so debating about the hidden meanings of the game and the political symbolisms based off of the current war climate.
As the debate rages, the question of whether there is an underlying connotation to such war games is a pansy question. I believe the true question to be asked is how much do the games play into the ideologies reinforced in such games and how does it affect the gamers’ mindset about the war and the level of patriotism still carried for the country.
Associated Press reported on CBS news that action-packed video games have been studied and have been reported to sharpen the mind.( http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/28/tech/main555921.shtml )
Although they may sharpen the mind, at what cost? Depending on what opinions have already been formed, disillusionment can occur by gamers when playing these games. There are rating systems on games but sometimes, kids not young enough to play games such as Metal Gear Solid still find access to such levels of entertainment. Meanwhile, they are playing technologically advanced games with superior graphic interfaces displaying vivid images of how or how not war situations truly are carried out.

I just want to see a positive game with not shooting. But in today’s society, if it does not contain violence or nudity, it just won’t make the money back enough to develop it. I just hope for a day when kids go back to playing cops and robbers. That seems so much better now than ever.