When does a game cross the "line"

I was thinking of replying to a question posted in another thread, and it prompted me to wonder, when does a game cross the line?

In my case, Quake 4 did it with the cyborg babies, which was just too much for me to handle. The operation where "my" legs were removed was bad enough, and I almost stopped playing there.

Postal was played briefly but it took bad taste so far that it was satirical. It got quickly deleted.

Battlefield Vietnam was fun, but I stopped playing it as I realised that the generation before mine had, at my age, fought in the war being played out on my screen.

The same goes for the Grand Theft Auto series, which are satirical fun, but eventually my conscience suggests that perhaps beating up prostitutes is not the best use of my leisure time, and I switch to something else.

So I'm asking, when does a game cross the line, and why?

It's been a while since I've played FPS type games and haven't found one yet that I would say crosses a line in gorefest kinda stuff. Granted I haven't played anything recently. I remember playing Duke Nuke'em and actually laughing at it through most of the game. Some were offended by the sexism. Depending on how bad the gore is, it might offend me or make me not want to play a bit..

I've mostly played online text-interactive games (kinda like RPGs). Some of those can cross the line between game-play and personal attacks. Those kinds of line crossings I find more disturbing than say a FPS gorefest because I know the gorefest is just "schlock" for the sake of "shlock" whereas personal attacks are meant more seriously.

I would suggest that a game crosses the line when you begin to do things to other people that you wouldn't do in real life and you wouldn't won't done to you.

I'm not much of a gamer, the only games I have are Chromium and SuperTux (free). For me, it's one thing to jump on a snowball character and squash it, it would be another to do the same thing to a character who was a simulated human being.

I may have more thoughts, additions, corrections later :)

I think crossing the line is a very personal question. As you said, you've got your own lines. I've got mine. I really have a pretty high tolerance for stuff, but Grand Theft Auto pushed my buttons immediately. It didn't offend me so much as it made me think "This is stupid, this is pointless, and this is not what I want to spend my free time doing." Also, I had mommy guilt. I didn't even let my son know we had it, but I still felt really guilty playing it. I think for some people, myself included, that's where the line is. Would I be ashamed of my kids finding me playing this? If the answer to that is yes, then I don't play it. It's not really a conscious decision, it's just a way of life, I guess.

Hard question to answer, but thought provoking. I'll be interested to see what other people say!

I don't think a game can ever really cross the line, nor do I think any other form of entertainment can really cross a line. It's a person's interpretation (that they bring about themselves, naturally) that crosses the line.

Video games, and peoples' negative or positive interpretations of them (and, thus, in some political figures' power, the actions taken against them), reminds me a lot of this t-shirt I used to wear in high school, that I was suspended for on two different occasions for one day each time. The shirt said,

"I don't give a %*#$!..."

Now, why on Earth did I get in trouble? Because the teachers' interpretations of the shirt were that of something very negative, when in actuality the shirt had done nothing wrong in and of itself. They *assumed* in their own mind that it meant a curse word, which they did not allow on t-shirts in school, but what if the author had intended it to mean "I don't give a user... rights to my server"? Granted, it's horribly unlikely, but it certainly can't be ruled out of the question. But, because of the way they wanted to see it, it was deemed as a shirt that had, indeed, "crossed the line," and I got in trouble for it.

Do you see what I mean? I don't think it's a matter of a game crossing a line, even if it's ultra-blatant. I believe it can cross *your* line, your personal comfort zone, but to say (or, in an extreme case, legislate) that there is *a* line that it can or cannot cross, is taking it too far in itself. ;)

as far as violence goes... never (my opinion)

as far as sex... only pedofilia (not like 19 on 16) but like (60 on 10)

I think it's a sign of the times we live in, one of the first games I played was Table Top tennis in a bar, what was offensive was the price of beer :-) jk....

I have played a few FPS games and for the most part thought nothing of it, as was mentioned, it is all about perspective and personal choice, but as long as developer's avoid the obvious taboos (Sexual Abuse, Bigotry, hate material) then what is there to worry about?


For those that are quick to label these games as the root of all evil, I believe it's a generational thing, as I am sure if Tipper Gore had of been born a little later her and Frank Zappa may have gotten to know each other better, or wouldn't have gone after Ozzie (Black Sabbath), same with this new age of games, GTA may piss off a lot of the older types, but that's because of the time they grew up in..( I have never played the game so can't really say much about it).

I remember reading a lot of hype around a game called "Manhunter", never played it, but apparently it's all about stalking and killing, is that going over the line...it's fantasy, have to learn what's real and what's playtime. The Military promote a game on line as a way to recruit, is that going over the line...?

I am sure if I had Doom to play with in the 60's, (just imagine the games we would have now) the concepts and perspectives would be different today... ;)

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I don't think a game can ever really cross the line, nor do I think any other form of entertainment can really cross a line. It's a person's interpretation (that they bring about themselves, naturally) that crosses the line.

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Well, let's think about this. How about gladitorial contests? I think I would say the Romans went too far.

hey ... you can't compare gladiatorial games to a video games

that's the whole point ... to be able to do what we cannot in real life

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nor do I think any other form of entertainment can really cross a line

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Hi Kosmograd,
read this part of the quote again. The OP says, "any other form of entertainment...." That's what I was addressing.
I was wanting to challenge this particular statement.

However, II do believe some video games cross the line.

I just recently got the Godfather game for xbox. the basic concept is to "rise up thru the ranks" of the mob and become the Godfather. There is alot of violence in the game ( it is based on the first Godfather Movie) but I really dont consider it that big of a deal because I have never wanted to or been asked to join the mob or mob activities. Its just so far "out of touch for me" the things that I do in the game I would never do in real life and I realize that. Now that being said if I had kids would I let them play it? no! why? because that game is rated M for a reason. But I dont buy that video games make people kill people. If people are unstable enough to start killing other people after playing a video game they had a problem long before they started playing the game.

my bad

This image just popped up in my head.

http://eimages.wurfaxt.de/ccc803d47d3afba3.jpg

I think it counts for games too..

What might be offensive to you might not to me and vice versa..

The game that crossed the line for me would be TRON.. those poor bikers crashing into walls..

Games don’t go to far in my opinion. Its an interactive movie designed to touch all your senses. If you get sick looking at baby syborgs then I would believe that was the reaction the designers of the video game where going for. As for BF2 I love the game, play it on a daily basis (combat_hacker is my handle in the game). I think games in a way strengthen our minds to be able to accept what normally would be unacceptable in society. Heck look at homosexuals in the 60s this was almost unheard of and if caught you got shot, now today they walk freely flying there flags and this is accepted by society. how this came about I would say movies and TV attempting to excite the senses. So as for video games "its just that a game" and if you read into it any further then you dont get the true concept of a game.

My favorite game is that one with the holocaust. Oh, internet, your comedy knows no bounds.

I don't believe there is really a point at which a game is "crossing a line" unless as stated it gets into pedephilia. I also think if a video game glorified a real world tragedy that would be crossing the line as well. For instance if you win the game by crashing planes in the WTC. That is not acceptable... On the other hand if you are running through a nazi camp spraying down ppl on your way out of prison (wolfenstein) that I consider allowable.

I think it is ridiculous to think that a video game will drive someone to commit crime. If it comes to that point the person was probably already mentally unstable. I mean if that was the case the news would drive damn near all of us crazy. Constantly covering all forms of crime...

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Originally posted here by very_unhappy
as far as violence goes... never (my opinion)

as far as sex... only pedofilia (not like 19 on 16) but like (60 on 10)

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Dude, what games are you playing?!?!

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Originally posted here by zENGER
Dude, what games are you playing?!?!

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That's exactly what i would like to know.. :confused:

all I'm saying that pretty much nothing "unreal" bothers me. i've expressed myself here before saying that I think we shouldn't censor anything (especialy not humor)

and to illustrate tasteless humor which i find hilarious but other may find offensive you can look at the attached pic

I AM WARNING YOU ... DON'T CLICK IF YOU ARE A HUMORLESS BASTARD

No wonder you are very unhappy you got your thing-e stuck in your tail pipe. you spend way too much time on bangedup.com dont you?

MsMittens doesn't like gore ?? :(

If I someday find a game that bothers me, I'll let you know.

If gore, Cannibalism, torture, rape, and shock bother you, you'll love Cannibal Holocaust. It was the first time I said "Holy ****" during a movie.

Good luck finding it, you can try Amazon.com but be prepaired to pay around 180 dollars for the original. One of my favorite movies. Also try Cannibal Ferox.





WARNING:

NSFW!!!! NSF Kids, most people-





Both movies are banned in a lot of countrys do to intense violence, gore, and scenes of Cannibalism.... Also, the animals in both movies, are actually killed on screen, no special FX. Just a warning.

Something I saw a few days ago kind of made me say wow too:

Antropophagus...... A scene here in this movie of a Pregnany Woman having her baby ripped out and eaten is there. As is another of the guy eating his own innards. I bought it a week ago, pretty good gore FX.

Again, good luck finding it, it was banned even here in America. I have it on DVD, the collector's Edition.

I collect most gore movies and underground rare banned stuff.



What has bothered me where I said it went to far? Well..... I once watched a video that made me cringe.... It gave me nightmares and I was Hoping to God it was never on air again to save the Children..... It was terrible, the acting was terrible, it was a horrid video....

It was an Ashley Simpson video :( A Truth commercial followed it.... I cried....

OK,

My thinking is that there really isn't a "line" when it comes to games?.............. they take a fair bit of time, money and effort to produce, so if you can't sell them you are in financial difficulties?

In a way, the whole games industry is actually self-regulating due to the financial considerations.

Now, what you consider to be in good taste or bad taste is down to you as an individual............but if there is a "line" it is one that you have drawn yourself.

P0rnography is one thing.............games are another........... after all, you could visit the major art galleries of Europe until you became bored with pictures of fat nekkid ladies?

very_unhappy I am tempted to ban you!............. you know that I returned that outfit and swapped it for a turquiose one when I noticed it did not match my green wellies (and the sheep were laughing at me) :eek: :p :D

Cheers

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Cannibal Holocaust.

Cannibal Ferox

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I've got both of the Original director's Versions on Cassette and also DVD.

I got them from my father, he's got a heap of really old horror/gore style movies, he used to collect that sort of stuff when he was younger..

some good watching, but you do indeed need a strong stomach to be able to handle most of the movie..


it's weird though, as i can happily sit and watch these type's of movies, but when it comes to computer games i have different feelings about. it's weird really..

Oh and to those that are attempting to ruin this thread, then think again. !

Mod's if anyone else tries to ruin this thread with unneeded comments then please could the post's get deleted ppplllleeeaaaasssseeee.


mmmmm cannibals. :D

Canibal H. and all those like it are nothing compared to this movie; the sickest movie I ever saw

http://www.smart-popcorn.com/reviews/1009/

you can check out other such gems ... below:

http://www.unearthedfilms.com/

I've got the Aftermath DVd. i had to get a pirated copy, as i could not get it anywhere else.. :(

First:

Your Dad is awesome.

Second, that scene is funny. He got what he deserved. though I did have problems eating Hot Dogs afterwards ;) (For anyone who hasn't seen this movie, he's tied up, and his pants are pulled down, a Cannibal takes a knife and makes himself some lunch).... But, he deserved it, he had raped a Cannibal girl and killed her friend.

If anyone here likes White Zombie the title may remind you of them. Mainly because the first White Zombie album is named "Make Them Die Slowly" which is on the movie Cannibal Ferox which is known as he same thing.

Some of the movies I have are worth quite a bit. Cannibal Ferox, USED, is 70 dollars.

I just finished watching House of 1000 Corpse's By Rod Zombie.

I always seem to laugh when the cop and the father go behind the house looking for the daughter, and then outta now where Bang. :D

Dude, OMG, when I went to see that in the theatre, I pissed my pants laughing at that scene. He holds the gun to him, lets him sit there, and bang.

When I went and saw the Dawn of the Dead remake a few years ago, when she gets out of her car and that cop puts a gun to her head and says "Say Something" I yelled out "POLICE BRUTALITY!!!!!".

EVERYONE laughed. The whole theatre was filled with laughter and I had compliments afterwards for making the movie more enjoyable. Mainly because that was only one of the times I yelled something out.

Same thing when I went to see the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Lol... The girl in the Van that shoots herself, I yelled out without thinking about it "DUDE WHERE DID SHE HAVE THAT THING UP THERE?????".

Like 15 people turn around, look right at me, and start laughing.

Gore have you ever seen the movie X-Ray.. or also known as Hopsital Massacre.?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082527

i love the bit where the killer forces the nurse's face into the sink full of Acid, and you can see her face just dissolve away..

My dad has a poster from when it was at the movies. similar to this one

Haha, I have a movie similar. And I love the name:

Dr. GORE

:)

The Dr loses his wife and kills girls to create a Frankenstein like woman, and on the mvoie cover, which I can't look at without laughing, it says "The Perfect Wife! Some Assembly required."

Lol.