Warren Spector on The White House Violent Video Game Reel

“I don't believe games cause violent behavior. Not for one second. However, the videogame reel shown at the White House on Thursday is simply disgusting. Every shot is in colossally bad taste and everyone associated with those games should be ashamed of themselves. They hurt us.”

[BlackIceJoe]

I'm sick and tired of hearing this garbage about video games being the cause of all these killing. I've been playing video games since the days of NES and Genesis, yet I've never had any desires to go about killing anyone.

I've also looked at the sizzle reel and last time I checked they all are M rated games, so any time you want to buy one of those games you have to show ID to buy them. So kids aren't able to buy them.

If a parent buys a M rated game for their kid, that is on them and every other person shouldn't be blamed for the fault of the parents buying the wrong games for their kids.

I have the right to enjoy M rated games just like I have the right to enjoy R rated movies, because I'm an adult and I don't want to see movies and video games being changed because parents are allowing their children to watch or play the wrong thing.

I also don't blame the NRA, GOA, SAF or NAGR because those gun right organizations push for responsible gun ownership and don't want mentally ill to have guns too.

[Parasyte]

You clearly know nothing about the NRA.

[UnHoly_One]

So it’s the NRA’s fault?

5 million regular law abiding citizens are responsible for this somehow?

Anyone that thinks that is certifiably insane or a complete idiot.

I guess if somebody yells fire in a crowded theater and people get trampled to death it’s the ACLU’s fault because they fight to protect people’s right to free speech.

Seriously. Wake the hell up. You’re being controlled by the media and stupid celebrities that have no idea how the real world works.

[The 10th Rider]

I'm really indifferent about the NRA, but the amount of scapegoating they receive is ridiculous. They don't even do the majority of gun lobbying or gun related political funding. Many gun laws are shot down because they're stupid laws, such as banning silencers . . . it's not because of the NRA.

[StormSnooper]

Yes it’s the NRA’s fault, have you been living under a rock? The NRA is using their lobbyists to prevent logical rational gun regulation. Since the Las Vegas shooting we have had two gun laws passed, both of them supported by the NRA, both of them are pro gun, both of them aim to make it easier to own and carry guns.

FACT: studies show zero correlation between gun violence and video games
FACT: studies show gun violence is DIRECTLY linked to gun sales.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Honestly, the NRA is part of the problem rather than the solution. There are far more issues than just the NRA, but more guns leads to more gun violence. Plain and simple. We need less guns and a higher percentage of responsible gun owners. Automatic weapons should be outlawed by anyone but the military.

[nitus10]

@UnHoly_One

It would be stupid to think that 5 million NRA members would be responsible for this travesty of trying to push the blame for gun violence on violent video games however someone in the White House thought it was a good idea.

Like it or not the American voters must realize that many of their politicians are effectively bribed (strong words but what would you call it?) and in the case of the gun lobby many millions of dollars have been given to predominately republican politicians who block any type of gun reform proposals.

Yes, you do have the right to free speech and religion as stated in the first amendment however you don't have the right to cause injury or death to other people although you do have the right to defend your speech and religion (if you have any) by peaceful means.

Even though I am not an American I am well aware of the second amendment and the Supreme Court interpretation in June 2015. I can even quote them if you like. Yes, you could tell me it is none of my business, however, America's problems do usually end up being the world's problems and your current politicians are not helping.

@The 10th Rider

May I ask why would you need a silencer or even a "bump stock" for your guns?

Yes, I am aware that your politicians do get bribes (err campaign donations) and it appears that when a politician gets money from a particular lobbyist group they do seem to bend over backward to support what they want. Basically, the politicians who accept funds from the NRA do what is best for the NRA and ultimately the gun manufacturers.

[The 10th Rider]

@nitus10,

I don't even own any guns, lol. Silencers aren't like in the movies. They dampen the sound from "very loud" to "moderately loud" and they're rarely even used in shootings. Banning them is pointless.

Interesting you mention bump stocks as I do think those should be banned . . . By the way, that's actually happening, which flies in the face of the idea that reasonable gun control measures won't be supported.

As for people bending backwards from the NRA, I'm sure you're just as concerned about the million other interest groups that donate money into politicians. There's one for just about every field and group. The NRA is hardly one of the biggest. I never see talk about politicians bending over backwards for Unions, AARP, health organizations, etc . . .

[TheDriz]

Agreed. The NRA is a bunch of lobbyists who only have their pockets in mind. Never forget that. I’m not here to argue it’s common sense and obvious

[FlameBaitGod]

I think people should research about this subject before spewing the same BS they hear from TV and try not to be manipulated by the media, low IQ people seem to be the victims here tho. If you tried going to the CDC you would learn how 500,000 to more than 3 million per year are saved by guns, in the context of about 300,000 violent crimes involving firearms. You never hear that in the media don't you ? only how bad guns are and how they should be SUPER regulated!.

To all the people talking about lobbyists, the NRA doesn't come close to the Health Care Industry in funds, I don't see any of you crying about that and how drugs kill more people than guns.

[UnHoly_One]

@nitus10

I'm a huge NRA and gun rights supporter.

And I think bump stocks should be banned.

I'm also for increased background checks and longer waiting periods.

But mostly, I'm for increased punishment. People are caught with illegal weapons every day and barely locked up. That's why cities like Chicago are a mess.

The only reason I'm against banning the AR-15 is it's a pointless move. The AR-15 is functionally no different than a ton of other rifles. It's simply not the problem. If that Cruz kid could have gotten a pistol instead I bet you anything he would have. Christ, he was using 10 round magazines. The gun I have inside my waistband as I'm typing this has a 13 round magazine.

I don't have an AR-15 and don't plan to get one, it's just a stupid thing to ban, it will accomplish nothing.

I'm also firmly against raising the age to purchase a gun to 21. The reason for that is plenty of people live out on their own younger than the age of 21, and I can't get behind anything that denies a 20 year old girl, for instance, a means to protect herself.

[RememberThe357]

Well, actually the NRA do want mentally unstable people having guns, they've been killing those kinds of bills all over this country for years. I agree with you though, this is a red herring. The problem that we don't respect they weapons as much as we should. As a gun owner, a proud gun owner, who recently experienced a shooting, these things are devastating. We need to treat them as such.

[pinkcrocodile75]

Excellent, then make sure to sell a gun you have to undergo 6 months of therapy and be other 21 before you can get a gun.

Sort of like a 6 month waiting period with therapy by a state ;provided therapist to be verified by 2 other therapists to be sure.

[Dirtnapstor]

They do want the mentally ill to have guns?! Really?! Think how dumb that sounds...
No. Not true. You’re referencing a bill repeal that was deliberately misconstrued by the media. That bill had nothing to do with ‘mentally ill’ but rather those who were needing financial assistance. Another attempt at fitting the anti-gun/anti-NRA narrative.

[Avengerz43]

You hit it right on the head, it all comes back to lack of or bad parenting. Blaming gun laws, blaming video games, violent movies or violent themed music. At the end of the day it falls on parenting. I believe the Parkland shooter had none and was in and out of foster care. Case in point

[kneon]

There is only one developed country on earth that has mass shootings on a regular basis. And the big difference between it and other countries is the easy availability of guns.

Luckily gun owners are dying off as younger people buy guns much less than their predecessors. In a couple of more decades the gun lobby will have little power left to use in bribing politicians.

[Profchaos]

The NRA do want the mentally ill to have guns as it would oppose their conditio rights of they also couldn't get guns freely. They have also put forward literally nothing to forward mental health checks and responsible ownership minus a safety video here and there.

[FlameBaitGod]

I can tell you don't own a gun when you say "They have also put forward literally nothing to forward mental health checks". Try to buy a gun, see how easy it is, also "The NRA do want the mentally ill to have guns", really ? are you really that bright ? so... they want these people to have guns so they can generate more shootings and get regulated even more every time a gun accident occurs ? I forgot their company mission was to make less money as time goes by. Hopefully theres something you can do to enable more braincells to work, try puzzle solving problems and everyone else who agreed with your comment should try them as well.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Ummm ok. NRA pushe's to keep selling guns, it's their job.

[pinkcrocodile75]

Simple way to solve the NRA lobby.

Allow guns to anyone over 21. HOWEVER...

The right to bear arms is only an amendment to the constitution so lets add an additional amendment there have been over 160 after all.

Let the new amendment say that whilst you have a right to own a gun, you can no longer shoot even accidentally a human being. Therefore as an owner of a gun of any kind you are responsible along with the shooter of your gun either accidental or on purpose. The sentence in any state will be the death penalty for the owner and the shooter to be carried out immediately upon ballistic tests.

You put an amendment like that in there and you'll have an NRA with nothing to say. and a brutal response for any shooting.

Then watch the c**ts on fox new go absolutely apoplectic. eh F**k em!

As for games, this is the usual response of politicians who have accepted money from the NRA during their election campaigns.

It's really simple. No politician will ever give a f**k about you or your children and if they support the NRA call them a c**t in public an shame them in front of the world. Hound them out of office.

[rainslacker]

There are already laws about discharging guns. If done intentionally, then it can be assault or homicide depending on the result. If it's done accidentally it cold be any number of felonies, or fall under any number of neglect laws, depending on the situation.

One is also responsible for their gun, and if they give it to someone else, and that person does something, then they can be held responsible as an accomplice, or also be charged with various laws involving neglect.

[BeOpenMinded]

What is mentally ill? Manics and schizophrenics? Angry children who have been neglected by their parents? Alcoholics and sexual predators? These all are psych ward admissions but does it mean they can never possess a weapon and lose their rights? Psych diagnosis is extremely gray and limiting guns to that population is just as grey and subjective. I don't know the answer

[rainslacker]

That would have to be defined. As of right now it isn't. But I'd assume anyone with suicidal or homicidal tendencies or signs would fall under a law like that. The level of violence that someone may engage in with a gun would need to be determined, and probably would have to be strictly controlled, with licensed psychologist certified by the state to perform such an exam.

I don't think such things would be 100% effective, as people can easily lie, but an extensive review of a person can certainly find more than not checking anyone. It may even have the benefit that those people actually get the help they need, instead of going off on murderous rampages.

I think anyone willing to go through the process of more extensive background and psychological checks, is much less likely to use a gun irresponsibly.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Garbage town

[ApocalypseShadow]

I'm for guns as protection,hunting and sports competition. But US politicians need to stop distracting from the truth. Poor parenting, education,lack of discipline, treatment for mental illness and our gun culture has lead to multiple deaths.

Japan has guns,has violent videogames and has 120+ million people. How many gun deaths did they have last year? One death by gun.

*******(((()ONE)())))*******

But the Japanese have discipline, gun training and education, and psyche evaluations. Yeah, they die by other means like suicide. But not by guns.

We educate and have age requirements when it comes to work, we educate and have age requirements for a driver's license. But don't have it for guns. And as a veteran, I don't see the need for a war weapon on the street. Or used for hunting. You suck if you need 500 rounds a minute to shoot a duck or a deer.

Trump and his cronies are just ignorant on videogames and distracting from the real issues. If violent videogames were dangerous, I would have killed somebody in the 35+ years of gaming. That's never happened. No arrests, no jail, nothing.

Putting out videos to try and make videogames look like they're the problem is ridiculous. But then, we have a current, questionable administration that **lies all the time.** So I guess it's nothing new we don't already know.

[Brave_Losers_Unite]

Trump is ignorant in every facet of life. The only thing he knows is what time McDonalds starts serving Big Macs

[UnHoly_One]

Yeah he clearly has no idea how the world works.

I guess that’s why he’s turning the country around and doing a better job as president than anyone in 30 years. Must be lucky I guess.

[Ausbo]

Don’t forget! He knows those television ratings

[DarXyde]

He's certainly an interesting person, but let's not lose focus here. I don't think this would play out any differently if Pence or Rubio or Cruz were president. The problem, in my opinion, is too many people are acting without enough evidence to support their position. To my knowledge, there are three: (a) ban guns, we don't need them, (b) ban *some* guns/accessories that make it easier to mow down multiple people (i.e., AR-15, bump stocks, etc.), or (c) don't ban guns, they don't kill people.

To be fair to Trump, his administration is acting on bump stocks, so it isn't like nothing is happening. I think we just need to let the CDC do the research on gun violence. Let science provide the answers rather than everyone throwing their opinions and logic at others. Things are not always as obvious as they seem, and that goes for all sides of the debate. The NRA has expressed concerns that CDC research would be biased against them, but I would argue that the lack of research is biased in their favor. I honestly hate how this administration seems to ignore science, but maybe if/when video games are exonerated of any significant behavioral disruption(s), the Trump administration will take science more seriously--the EPA situation is almost unreal, but one can hope the CDC gets to lay this to rest.

[ColonelHugh]

Japan does not allow guns to be owned or carried by civilians whatsoever. Even police officers must carry their pistols on a lanyard so that no one can steal them. It's fairly well known that even the yakuza have trouble obtaining guns on the black market there.

Airsoft weapons of extreme likeness to real guns, as well as other model guns are enjoyed by a burgeoning gun nut otaku culture, though.

[_-EDMIX-_]

That's false

[ColonelHugh]

Pretty much only small mountain hunting communities are allowed guns. You need a special reason for them.

Their law literally states: "No one shall possess a firearm or firearms or a sword or swords"

[sampsonon]

funny, i live in Canada and we play just as many video games as anyone, and we have little to no school shootings. Only difference between the states and other countries like Canada, Japan, England and Australia is we don't allow just anyone to own a gun.

we look at the states and find it odd that there is even a debate as to why mass shootings happen when the proof is, if they don't have a gun they can't kill mass amounts of people.

pretty basic eh?

[PhoenixUp]

What’s really disgusting about all this is that certain media outlets are just saying that other forms of violence depicted in media is okay.

You’re just letting your double standards run rampart if you attribute the mental health of these killers exclusively to videogames

[The 10th Rider]

Yeah, I believe a case can certainly be made that kids shouldn't be playing M-rated games . . . but that responsibility is entirely on the kids' parents. Most parents I know don't even care if their child is watching violent R-rated movies at 10 years old . . . and many of those films are far more violent than your average M-rated video game. The ratings for both movies and games are already in place but so many parents straight up ignore them.

[DarXyde]

I think the link they're trying to make is to the interactivity component. Watching a character die on screen and being the reason a character dies on screen being two different things is probably why they're targeting video games.

I don't agree with it at all, but that's me. Grand Theft Auto has been around for quite some time, Manhunt, God of War, and many others also, and we're seeing a sudden surge of violence. It's hard to blame games with a straight face knowing there's been violence in gaming since forever ago. Makes you wonder what has changed since then to allow for these problems to develop. I wouldn't rule out political sabotage, to be honest. Trump's an idiot for sure, but there's been a surge in scandals, problems, etc. to the point that it seems like there are forces at work doing everything they can to make this a turbulent presidential term (make no mistake, he's got plenty going on that he does to himself--but these attacks just feel so scripted).

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

Gun proliferation and easy access to military grade firearms is where the problem lies not video games. I've been playing video games for more than 25 years and I have never attempted to physically harm anyone. Hell, I couldn't even run over a squirrel while driving my car.

[doos_vd_kak]

3 disagrees???? Even though your point is 100% valid,

[doos_vd_kak]

To the disagrees, show me the light, let's go sign that petition to ban violent games. Let's contribute to studios getting shut down, talented people losing their jobs, a watered down selection of games, a general decline in the industry, etc. JUST DO IT. Even though, baffling enough, ease of access to firearms isn't to blame (even though this phenomenon only occurs in the US) VIDEO GAMES ARE HUR DUR

[_-EDMIX-_]

I don't disagree that he has a valid points but I believe anybody can disagree with anyone I'm sure the people that disagreed have their own reasons.

So I keep in mind I completely agree with the above post but I also believe it is fair if anybody else might disagree or see things differently

[UnHoly_One]

I disagreed because anyone that thinks we can buy military grade weapons is a damn idiot that doesn’t know anything and is just parroting what they’ve heard on TV.

That kid had a regular old rifle with 10 round magazines. He didn’t have anything crazy, and certainly nothing “military grade”.

There is not one damn feature of the AR-15 that makes it any more “murdery” than any other weapon. He could have don’t the same damage or more with something else.

All the talk about “assault” weapons and “weapons of war” is complete BS from the anti-gunners that just want to strip us of our rights so they are better able to control us.

The Democrats are the party of slavery, wake up before it’s too late.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

@Unholy_One

The only person who doesn't know what they're talking about in this situation is YOU. History has a way a proving people like you wrong REPEATEDLY and it's usually the people who would never serve in military who downplay the lethality of weapons like the AR-15.

"ArmaLite first developed the AR-15 in the late 1950s as a *military rifle*, but had limited success in selling it. In 1959 the company sold the design to Colt. In 1963, the U.S. military selected Colt to manufacture the automatic rifle that soon became standard issue for U.S. troops in the Vietnam War. It was known as the M-16."

Source
https://www.npr.org/2018/02...

NPR - National Public Radio not Fox News

[UnHoly_One]

So it wasn't good enough to be a military rifle 60 years ago.

But now it is a "weapon of war", right?

Get real, man.

Maybe you should watch Fox News once in a while, it's amazing what happens when you actually hear alternative opinions and can decide things for yourself instead of being told what to think.

[ShadowWolf712]

You have a funny idea of what "military-grade firearms" are.

[Grown Folks Talk]

The AR-15 is what the Marines used before switching to M-16s. They just fancy up the looks to make it "cool", & adjust the rate of fire for civilian sale. And since bump stocks exist, kinda negates the main issue. They are exactly military weapons.

[ShadowWolf712]

And a musket was once a military-grade weapon. So was a revolver. So was a handgun. So were the M1 Garands, bolt action Springfields, repeater rifles, and so on. By that logic, literally any weapon used out there was, at some point, a military-grade weapon. That's a scaremongering tactic people use because they KNOW that conjures up images of fully automatic weaponry.

Even so, the Civilian style rifle is specifically and intentionally made to be less powerful than its military cousins (which ARE the M-16 and M-4 rifles) as well as be restricted to a semi-automatic firing mode. One bullet per pull of the trigger. It is not even close to the same weapon used by the modern armed forces.

Bump stocks would make any other semi-auto gun fire at a faster rate too. You wanna go after something? There you go. Those should not be a thing.

[The 10th Rider]

Yeah, exactly. Fully automatic weapons are already illegal and you can purchase a hunting rifle that's as effective as an AR-15. We don't send our military out with semi-automatic AR-15's and anyone who thinks we do is plain ignorant.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

@ ShadowWolf712

History has a way a proving people like you wrong REPEATEDLY and it's usually the people who would never serve in military who downplay the lethality of weapons like the AR-15

"ArmaLite first developed the AR-15 in the late 1950s as a military rifle, but had limited success in selling it. In 1959 the company sold the design to Colt. In 1963, the U.S. military selected Colt to manufacture the automatic rifle that soon became standard issue for U.S. troops in the Vietnam War. It was known as the M-16."

Source
https://www.npr.org/2018/02...

That's National Public Radio

@The 10th Rider

The M-16 allows you to change the rate of fire. There are also semi automatic weapons on the market that have a "near automatic" rates of fire so you can sit there and parrot the double talk of lobbyist, gun manufacturers, and gun salesmen if you wish. You only make yourself look silly.

[OB1Biker]

'He stated emphatically that the argument that games cause violence is a "red herring" and "a blatant attempt to shift the focus from real problems'

And he is eagerly chewing that herring.(read the article people)
Some of what was in the video already got a backlash in the media. Some of it rightly so. However none of that should be used by the white house.
All of this is a POLITICAL SHOW and even not helping the real concerns which may be in video games ethics.

[rainslacker]

I think people should really see what Spector is saying before commenting. While he isn't condoning what's going on with these current talks, or blaming of video games, he is very much being very righteous about determining what should be appropriate content in video games. He is saying that the developers, or anyone involved with the graphic content for the games shown, and I guess we can assume other games like it, are part of a problem that exists. That problem being bad tastes, which paints games as a whole in a bad light.

His actual quote

"I don't believe games cause violent behavior. Not for one second. However, the videogame reel shown at the White House on Thursday is simply disgusting. Every shot is in colossally bad taste and everyone associated with those games should be ashamed of themselves. They hurt us."

I have to ask him...who is "us"? How are video games actually being hurt? They're being attacked, but that's nothing new. No one has been hurt from these games existing....either in real life, or through some sort of guilt by association thing that he seems to imply.

His righteous ego comes across when he tries to justify why it's OK for him to create a violent game, but not others. Apparently, it's OK for something like System Shock 3, which he's working on, because he doesn't reward the players for killing.

Spector is trying to be an arbiter for what is acceptable, and what isn't. That to me is really no better than what's going on with the ignorant people that want to attack games. Spector is a firm advocate that games are art, while also understanding that they're a commercial enterprise. To even suggest that others should be ashamed for creating art is just pretentious and hypocritical of him.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Good read and I completely agree even though I really like Warren Spector I don't really believe that developer should be ashamed of their work at the end of the day they created a game that was mature and it had the rating on it for a reason.

[OB1Biker]

I thinks ethics in video games are worth discussing and having a proper debate but not for the wrong reason.
We all know violence in videogames are getting the focus for the wrong reasons here (and from the wrong, incompetent people) and nothing good can come from that.

[rainslacker]

I agree they're worth discussing. But the nature of the content shown here is just the make up of the game. It's been well studied that video games don't cause someone to be violent, so why is it part of a problem that some developers make games that depict it in a graphic fashion.

I'm all for discussing the ethicacy of anything involving video games, but the condescending judgement from Spector is not the right way to do it.

[OB1Biker]

Exactly and his reaction is the type emotional response the politics want from the public

[stokedAF]

Bad taste was a great movie, Spector is full of it.

[kevinsheeks]

Hey someone voted for mr.cheeto I'm not shocked he's using video games as a scapegoat for gun violence

[OffRoadKing]

To be fair he's not the first president to skirt the real issue, we had mass shootings under Bush and Obama this is nothing new, nor is politicians proclivity to bend over for the NRA.

[Brave_Losers_Unite]

But the difference is Trump opens his mouth and creates a s**tstorm

[OffRoadKing]

And I could cherry pick shit from movies and war documentary's to make a violent reel just as easily. If we want a serious shock maybe someone should make a reel from videos of people walking into gun shops and buying high capacity assault rifles with no background check and no waiting at all.

[Tedakin]

They could have made it so much worse though. I mean really. No footage from the Outlast series? Mortal Kombat X? Friday the 13th The Game? Come on.

[Profchaos]

They have a strange fixation on call of duty for some reason I get the no Russian mission but the rest of it was weird to see a ten year old game being used as a problem case

[Tedakin]

Maybe they were aiming for realistic violence, but really if they wanted to go for shock value and gore they missed out on some crazy games.

[Razmiran]

They were aiming for gun violence I think

[OB1Biker]

indeed, and it shows they are having a fake debate just to fit an agenda.

[Profchaos]

I've watched the clip and it's missing one very important thing... Context.

Without context the entire clip appears sensationalistic and scandalous with context so of those scenarios either wouldn't normally play it on the game like that especially the fallout scenes United you wanted to our they would be acceptable eg killing the general at the end of mw2 or killing Nazis in Wolfenstein

It's a fox news wet dream completely unnecessary

[Mista2018]

Neckbeards shouldn't have voted for a president that scapegoats others to protect his worldview. It's all he has ever done since running for office till now. Now games will be scapegoated. All so they could get a fat white neckbeard in office to represent them. Lol.

[Atticus_finch]

We need to remove every repub from office and send all Republican voters to Russia.

[mafiahajeri]

Because Video games are the only form of entertainment right? People who are going to commit a crime are going to do it anyway, censoring video games aint gonna do Jack shit to stop them...

Lol I'm willing to bet that some music has a greater effect on people's minds when it comes to violence, I've seen some music take over people's minds and make them violent, might as well censor the crap out of music too...

[Minute Man 721]

Music is very influential, in the bible while The Sun of the Morning was in Heaven he played the harp.

[Mista2018]

But that's NOT in the Bible. Where does it show that? Another Christian who bases his belief on b.s. spewed in the pulpit, as opposed to actually reading the Bible for yourself. Show us where it says Lucifer (or devil, etc) played the harp or that he made influential music

[Minute Man 721]

Answer: Ezekiel 28:13 of the KJV and NKJV seems to hint that Satan was involved with music in Heaven. The NKJV says, “The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created,” although the exact meaning of this difficult Hebrew text is uncertain. There may have been such instruments in heaven, but there is no evidence outside this verse to verify it. Revelation 5:8 and 15:2 refer to harps, but not to timbrels or pipes. I'm not spewing my beliefs on people, sorry if you took it like that bro

[TheOttomatic91]

👍

[Brave_Losers_Unite]

Thats what happens when ignorant people vote Donald Trump

[OffRoadKing]

To be fair the opposing vote would have been ignorant as well. Perhaps the lesser of two evils but still evil none the less.

[Atticus_finch]

There is no comparison!
The rich wouldn't be getting tax cuts.
Our national lands wouldn't be going on sale.
Health insurance would be becoming better not worst.
White House would not be filled with Russian puppets and sympathizers.
We wouldn't be embarrassed about stupid constant tweeting.
No pp tape or pornstar suing the President.
And so much more.
Hillary doesn't have any charisma but it would be very different compare to Mr. Bankruptcy bone spurs

[OffRoadKing]

@ Atticus_finch

They were the last two people running for President of the United States that is the very antithesis of comparison. Like I said she may have been less evil but its quite clear you have no understanding of her own proclivities of which there were many. As it pertains to your anecdotal list theres little relevance to it as its pure speculation with exception of the tweeting thing and the porn star. Different sure, diametrically better, highly doubt it.

[Xenophon_York]

So the video concentrates extreme moments and events in a myriad of different games—out of context—to give certain genres of video games a bad name. What if the same method was used for horror movies? What if we took the same approach and cut/edited down a dozen different movies into a reel of nothing but gruesome, violent gore? For that matter, the same thing could be done with hunting and fishing shows.

This trick is an old hat in the movie industry. It's how directors and editors better tell a story the way THEY want it to be perceived.

I sincerely hope gamers remember this come next Presidential election.

[stokedAF]

It is disgusting. The virtue signal blame and judgement is appalling.

[_LarZen_]

Don’t you just love it when snowflakes like Spector comes along to tell everyone what to like and not.

[OffRoadKing]

There was a hostage situation at a Veterans Hospital in Yountville California just the other day. It ended with the gunman killing three innocent woman, one was seven months pregnant before turning the gun on himself. The man was a 36 year old veteran with PTSD that no one made any effort to monitor or keep away from guns. Now my question is, are we going to blame video games for this too. This NRA fueled narrative is total bull crap and people need to stand up against this before it goes to far. I have a feeling politician view gamers as an easy scapegoat because they figure its by and large a group that wont stand up and defend against this nonsense, we need to prove them wrong.

[Omnisonne]

Here's my theory, the reason games keep being blamed is because so many people (mostly younger men) prefer playing games over working themselves to death to keep up the economy. I don't think it has anything to do with games and violence, no studies over the years have shown any direct correlation and the government knows that.
With welfare expenses sky-rocketing and pension funds running dry, they need people to work harder. Video games are one of the main past-times of young (unemployed) men, so they attack gaming in attempt to stabilize an increasing debt and failing system. I'm no economic expert but that's what I make of it.

[Ryuujinjakka]

The NRA needed a decoy and their buddies in the White House helped.

[TheOptimist]

Ironically, Elon Musk played Deus Ex and is now sending cars to space. So uhh.... Trump is so smart.

[chaos-emeralds]

What about books, graphic novels, films, TV, folklore... You know what shows the most misery and violence.. The news. Get a grip world.

[fluxmulder]

Wow, old man Spector railing against violent games, what a surprise. This is the same guy who said that Lollipop Chainsaw Massacre shouldn't have been made.

[mogwaii]

Pot. Kettle. Black. Cake. Eat. It. Too.

[Einhander1971]

Yes makes me sick as well video games getting the blame for Americas stupid gun laws. When some idiot can buy firearms like a tin of beans what the hell do they expect. Sort the shit out and stop blaming everything else.

[NickAwesome]

I'm sick and tired of Warren Spector always thinking that he has the higher moral ground, constantly criticizing everyone, he used to be someone important but not anymore, i wish he would just shut up, he is starting to sound like a really old man

[zerocarnage]

Anything can be a trigger as to why someone's kills, usually it's because someone has done something to that individual in someway that triggers something in the past and makes them turn to hurt others.

These politicians are beyond a joke, they will try n screw the games industry but no the arms and ammo industry, makes sense that.

Why won't they screw the arms and ammo industry? Because these shady governments are makilling trillions of dollars/pounds off of selling to other country's whether there shady deals or not not these governments are using war to profit.

But because they can't use video games to profit it makes sense to use it as a scapegoat.

After recent shooting in country's and more people shouting for tighter gun control the government/s are now seeing it harming world wide profiteering through arms and ammo sales and they can't be having that.

Just like alcahol the government stopped people brewing it, gained control of it then legalised it because that's what they do, seize control of entire industry's to profit from and because they're the government they think it's legal how they do it because they're in charge. It wouldn't surprise me if somehow this was all a plan to somehow seize control of an industry that is growing rapidly and making so much money that governments want to control it, that wouldn't surprise me one bit since they've done it with almost everything else.

The days of prohibition, didn't the government make out that alcahol and contraband was evil, so evil it needed to be got rid of, well that worked didn't ii because it's still here because they changed there mind once they had control of it and had a tight grip over the alcahol industry..

[CrimsonWing69]

Shut up you hypocrite. How about we show you a reel of violent movies, do you think people like Ridley Scott need to be ashamed of themselves? What’s the context behind the violent games? Is it good vs evil or is it kill kill kill because killing is fun and good? You make me sick, sir. I have been playing violent games since I was in elementary school and not once has it made me want to harm another human being.

[chaos-emeralds]

Same here, even grew up on horror films as a kid. What I can't handle is real violence and gore weirdly.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

***SPOILER WARNING***
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So it's okay for people to watch Negan bash someone in the head with a baseball bat and reduce their brain to mush, and we get to see every last detail of the before, during, and after, yet somehow videos games are "simply disgusting"?

Laughable at best. Films like Deadpool, Expendables, any horror movie basically ever, etc, are miles more violent than most video games that are M and such.

[noxeven]

its the 90s all over again weeeeeeee

[aConIsDemocracy]

i think they forget that some video games are telling a story. That call of duty segment in the airport wasn't glorifying terrorism. It was telling a story. That's why games are so great at telling stories because you can get much more engaged than any film or book. Sometimes stories are shocking but so is life.

[Kyizen]

How many people are performing mass murders with hatchets and chopping off heads...the sizzle reel is almost comical.

[Tetsujin]

If violent video games are one of the causes of youth violence:
Spoons make me fat
Rock music is the work of the Devil
Pokemon promotes Animal Cruelty
Idiots.

The real issues are bad parenting, non-caring teachers, and bullying. This excuse using media as a cause is only going to make things worse as time goes on. It's to the point where My Little Pony will be classified as a game to lure pedophiles and should also be banned. The rating system is there for a reason - use it!

[aConIsDemocracy]

It makes me laugh how governments never seem to think its their behavior that might be at fault. They are the biggest mass murderers on the planet. They really set a good example. Then have the cheek to blame it on games and media.

[bluefox755]

Holy hell, this is like the only thing that comes up on N4G anymore...

[Lexreborn2]

I’m like the easiest defense for this is school shootings in the America’s has been a thing since the 1700s. And, video games are no where near that old

[jznrpg]

I really dislike this guy now. We could take specific shots from his game and make them look bad as well.

[Firebird360]

I love all the NRA comments from people that don't own or use guns.

[aConIsDemocracy]

How dare Eric Clapton tell me what to do. :)

[aaronaton]

I think that Call of Duty scene where you shoot up a Russian airport, imo has to be one of the lowest moments in gaming history. It was just unnecessary provocation, imagine if a Russian developer created a same scene depicting a terrorist attack on an American airport?!
For me, it wasn't just unnecessary violence that served little purpose to the narrative, it was politically insensitive to say the least.
*This is coming from someone who voted for Brexit, and was very pleased with Trump becoming president.

[sampsonon]

if you voted for trump you get what you voted for :)

[deno]

I'll give you my friends a pretty interesting perspective. In the 9 out of 10 school shootings, the perpetrator had 1 or no parent at all. You destroy the family you destroy the nation. You go back 30 years this was unheard of.

[QuickdrawMcgraw]

NRA,Colt.Winchester,ect ect have a very simple solution to the USA's so called gun problem..Sell more guns to more people..And well kept guns can last forever...so keep gun laws weak so everyone can update their piece...It's simple...

[DevilishSix]

Last time I checked the Second Amendment says "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed".

SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED...what part of that do people not understand. If you don't like it move to another country as millions of brave men and women have died for us to keep our rights,

Lastly, if you put a loaded gun on a kitchen table what happens? Nothing happens until a person picks it up. So, yes PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE..I realize this goes against the liberal left, but they would rather take your guns and grow government. The founders gave us the right to protect ourselves against a tyranical government, so sorry that doesn't fit in the progressive lefts narrative...go back to Europe because your gun free zones are working out so well for you over there..

Gun grabbing is a sensitive topic for me as I was in the military for six years serving this country.