Gamers: Virtual Reality Check

On March 17th I read an article in the New York Times Circuits section that reported that certain video games would soon allow their main characters to use/abuse drugs ranging from marijuana to crack cocaine. The games mentioned include Narc, another from Take Two Interactive called Snow and one from Vivendi Universal called Scarface. I have always been a proponent of the video gaming industry and have written before that I think gaming companies have the potential to be among the leading companies in the digital age. I must admit that I was taken aback by this disturbing news.

I realize that these games are rated M for mature, however gaming executives and parents know full well that these M games find their way into teen and preteen hands. I think that this is a case where the video gaming industry has a moral obligation to reinforce right from wrong. I understand that for a long time games have promoted violence, and I do have reservations about this when it is wreckless. But as NY Times reviewers have pointed out, this violence can be cathartic for gamers. Moreover I believe that promoting these types of drugs is especially dangerous because they are much more accessible and acceptable in our society than firearms.

Some argue that these are no different than the "power ups" found in kids games like Mario Brothers or Pokemon. I disagree. You can't go out around the town and buy a magic coin or wand for a pick me up, but you can go out and find crack or methamphetamine in many high schools. Like it or not teens learn from the media, be it cable tv or video games and this is the wrong kind of message to be sending out.

I will admit that I have played violent video games with my preteen son. However realizing that he would learn from this, I atleast chose a game (Medal of Honor/Frontline) where the enemy is a real historical villain (Nazis in WWII) and the goals are admirable. I also was able to take the opportunity to teach my son about WWII and about his grandfather and great uncle who fought in those wars. Lastly I try to insist that I am present when he plays this violent single person shooter game, to monitor his behavior. If my young son becomes wreckless and indescriminantly shoots allies, or becomes cruel, it's game over.

I believe that video game entreprenuers and industry members need to rethink their game strategies when it comes to dangerous narcotics and other wreckless behavior ( including violence.) At the very least there needs to be severe game consequences for such ugly acts. Ultimately a parental or media backlash could erupt and have a long-lasting negative affect on what is otherwise a bright future for video gaming. Yes these wreckless violent games bring in the bucks. But it's time for video game executives to put down the digital crack pipes and get their virtual realities in check.

Apple's Game Plan

What’s next for Apple? In a word, games. Or more precisely video gaming. If there is one thing that most of the digital soothsayers agree upon it is that a key part of the digital future is gaming. That’s why Microsoft has spent billions in capital on developing and supporting its Xbox platform even though it only recently turned a small profit. It is also is why consumer electronics giant Sony is still an important player in the digital future. Despite falling behind in former strongholds like television sets and digital music, its Playstation 2 and new Playstation Portable are still leading the industry.

I believe gaming is one of the areas in Apple’s digital arsenal that has been woefully underexploited. By now there are about 15 million ipods in the hands of, not just Macintosh devotees, but Windows users. I see people sitting on the train or subway happily listening to their ipods all the time. But the games Apple includes for the ipod are limited if not lame. That is why you don’t see too many idle ipod listeners playing Apple’s pre-installed games. Now ipods feature color screens and photographs and before you know it I bet there will be video clips.

According to mac news and rumor web site ThinkSecret, Apple has been actively searching for game developers who can write new games for the same kind of platform found on the iPod. Add to this the fact that the new Mac mini is positioned perfectly to fit on a living room entertainment rack next to that new high definition TV, and you can bet that Steve Jobs will at some future Macworld, unveil an integrated gaming strategy from Apple.