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The connection between video games and government policies has always been a subject of intrigue and controversy. From issues related to violence, mental health, and even the recruitment of individuals into military forces, gaming industry has found themselves at the crossroads of government policies and public opinion. This article delves deep into the complex relationship between video gaming and government regulations, exploring the underlying politics, controversies, and future implications.
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1. The Political Implications of Video Games
In recent years, the gaming industry has become a significant cultural and political space, influencing public opinion and societal norms. It’s no longer just a source of entertainment but a powerful tool for shaping perceptions about the world.
1.1 The Growing Influence of Video Games
The global gaming market, with an estimated revenue of $184 billion in 2023, has surpassed both the global film industry and North American professional sports combined. This incredible growth in the industry has made video games an influential space for shaping worldviews, with the capacity to influence the political landscape. With an estimated $205.7 billion increase by 2026 and at current 3.38 billion worldwide players, we can see why Big Brother has such an interest in our daily game play activities.
1.2 The Controversy Surrounding Video Games
The portrayal of real-life events or controversial subjects in video games often sparks debates and controversies. The controversy surrounding “Six Days in Fallujah,” a game based on the Second Battle for Fallujah, serves as a prime example of this. The game faced backlash for attempting to strip away the political aspects of a highly controversial battle in the Iraq war, highlighting the inherent political nature of war-based video games.
2. The Impact of Video Games on Perception and Behavior
Research has shown that video games can significantly influence players’ emotional states, thought patterns, and perceptions. This influence extends beyond the virtual world, affecting real-world perspectives and actions.
2.1 The ‘Emotion Engineering’ in Game Design
The design of a game’s models and systems of interactions are intentional choices by the designers. These designs can induce certain types of player reactions, a process one game designer refers to as “emotion engineering.”
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2.2 The Real-World Impact of Video Games
Experimental studies have shown that some military First-Person Shooter (FPS) games can cause players to become measurably more militarist in outlook. The portrayal of military scenarios and the presence or absence of rules of engagement in these games can dramatically change how the player perceives real-world military conflicts.
3. The Government’s Hand in Video Game Development
Government involvement in game development is not a new phenomenon. From collaborating with developers for a realistic portrayal to using games as recruitment tools, governments worldwide have recognized the untapped potential of video games.
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3.1 The ‘Military-Entertainment Complex’
The collaboration between the Pentagon and game developers, often referred to as the “military-entertainment complex,” has resulted in various military-themed video games. These collaborations often result in games that present tailored narratives about controversial wars, influencing how players perceive such events.
Did you know that the United States military has it’s on video games? No. One of them is called “America’s Army“. For the last 21 years it has had many different names but it was created for the purpose of educating and to recruit potential soldiers. It is a free to play FPS game that has saved the U.S. government millions in advertising cost. With a total count of about 21.2 million players throughout its lifetime one could see how the government sees the game as a success. America’s Army game has had releases for PlayStation, Xbox and online streaming platforms.
For more information, Titles and a break down of its release dates, check out the Wikipedia page for it.
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3.2 The Use of Video Games for Military Recruitment
The U.S. military has used games like “America’s Army” for recruitment purposes. Despite being criticized as a propaganda tool, such games have been successful in attracting potential soldiers, demonstrating the power of games in influencing career choices.
For more info check out this DOD release on Military Esports: How Gaming Is Changing Recruitment & Morale
4. The Role of Government in Regulating Video Games
In recent years, there has been an increasing call for government regulation of video games, particularly those that depict violence or controversial themes. The approaches to such regulation vary across countries, often reflecting the country’s cultural norms and political climate.
4.1 ‘Sin Tax’ on Violent Video Games
In response to school shooting tragedies, some lawmakers have proposed a “sin tax” on violent games, using the proceeds to fund mental health programs. While the sentiment behind such laws is commendable, they often face legal hurdles due to the protection of video games under free speech. They have attempted to pass this bill twice as far as I know. Once in 2013 and again in 2019. Its getting about time for them to try again.
These idiots wanting to place a “Sin Tax” don’t really have an understanding of the future of the industry or the people . So they want to blame mass shootings and violent acts on video games so instead of facing the issue’s straight-on like (mental health, school bullying and other issues) they figure lets suck some money out the customers while were at it. I mean charging a “Sin Tax” will have no effect on the evil acts that done throughout the world. All the “Sin Tax” would do is fatten the pockets of certain people within the government. If you leave it upon the local, state and federal governments they would create a tax for breathing air, waking up and dreaming if they could. They probably already do have taxes for them, they just haven’t been implemented.
4.2 Government-led Research on Video Game Violence
The Center for Disease Control’s research into the links between violent video games and real-world violence marks a significant step in understanding the impact of video games on society. However, the lack of concrete evidence linking video game violence to real-world aggression raises questions about the effectiveness of such research.
As late as 2021 there has been many Government Research panels from around the World that have investigated the link between video games and violence. Sooner or later they will learn that Evil Acts and Violent Acts have more to do with mental health and aggression and that video games can give a place for that aggression to be released without harm to others. Here’s a link to the latest report done by The City University of London . Just a game? Study shows no evidence that violent video games lead to real-life violence
5. Future Implications and Concluding Thoughts
The relationship between video games and the government is complex and multifaceted, with far-reaching implications for society. As the video game industry continues to grow, it is crucial to understand the intertwined relationship between video games, government policies, and societal norms.
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The future of video games will likely continue to be shaped by government regulations, industry developments, and public opinion. It is clear that video games are more than just a form of entertainment—they are a powerful medium for conveying messages, shaping perceptions, and even influencing political landscapes. As such, understanding the role of the government in video games is essential for navigating the ever-changing landscape of video game news.