by gSathe
One of the big issues that knocked about every now and then is the “mature” content in video games these days. Even now, to many non-gamers, particularly here in India, the image of video games still remains Mario jumping around in a world made up of smiley faces and bright primary colours. So it’s not really all that strange to realise that when the mainstream does pick up on games, and notices the blood and gore, or the sex and boobs, they get sort of fixated by the idea.
To someone whose idea of video games remains rooted in the past, skimpy cleavage revealing outfits from DoA might just represent the end of the world. And we won’t even talk about the extreme closeup of a Locust grub being sliced neatly, and bloodily into two with a Lancer. Although I suppose we just did, didn’t we? With all the blood flying and splattering the screen, it’s easy to see why people would get excited.
But here’s the thing. The games marketed to an older audience (which are usually the ones which carry the Mature rating as well) are usually not really the ones that we want to play. When you’ve worked for a minimum of twelve hours in the day, and are ready to curl up in front of your television, controller in hand, do you really want to feel pumped up, shocked, frightened, or just have boobs shoved in your face?
Okay. Scratch the last part. Boobs are allowed.
Jokes apart though, my point is that I don’t want to be made to hear sophomoric dialogue from gory action game protagonists. What I’d love really, is something fun and happy. Hell. I like Viva Piñata. I want to play something that makes me think maybe, but even then in a more creative way than the day-to-day grind of work.
And I certainly don’t want to play something that makes me feel stressed out. Someone who is mature is a lot less likely to play it than a trigger happy 19 year old.Of course, that’s something that makes the mature rating for games a bit strange. Don’t get me wrong. I think that it’s very important that games be allowed to have whatever content a designer feels like putting in. And not out of any artistic license either. The point is that a game isn’t just meant for children and it’s often not meant for them at all, despite what I just said. The game might not appeal to an adult who is working hard, but it doesn’t default into children territory because of that.
When the controversy over Manhunt took place, no one considered comparing it to the mounds of gore served up by Hollywood. Because they aren’t meant for children. People seem to understand that concept. And it will take some time but they’ll get the hang of it about video games too.
Lead image courtesy: NextGen Magazine
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