Kym Worthy Issues Her Annual “Do Not Buy” List of Videogames
By Stephany on Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 at 8:32 AM PST In Game Companies, Game Consoles, Game Platforms, Gamer Life, Games, Games Industry
Remember last year around this time when Detroit Prosecutor Kym Worthy was dubbed Gaming Today’s unofficial “Idiot of the Day” due to her outdated list of violent videogames for parents to avoid purchasing for their kids at Christmas? Well, it looks like all the internet bashing she received across the board taught her (and her assistants) a valuable lesson because the list she has issued this year is pretty much up to date–even if it was culled from the National Institute on Media and the Family’s 2008 Annual Video Game Report Card.
Here is the list she has complied for parents who are wishing to avoid the inevitable reality of their children becoming sociopaths after playing these games.
- Blitz the League II
- Dead Space
- Fallout 3
- Far Cry 2
- Gears of War 2
- Left 4 Dead
- Legendary
- Resistance 2
- Saints Row 2
- Silent Hill: Homecoming
All joking aside, these are all mature games that kids should not be playing. Kym should really be encouraging parents to read the ratings on the packaging just like they would on a DVD or Music disc before buying it. All forms of media bought by parents should be age and maturity level appropriate. However, be that as it may, I think one commenter over on the Detroit Free Press website where this was originally posted said it best when they commented:
“And for those who say “lets go back to early American principles” what principles would that be? Before violent games, for entertainment, parents would take their children to lynchings, beheadings, drawing and quartering, hangings, cross burnings, stonings, and for that special evening, the colosseum to see a man get devoured by animals. Make no bones about it, humans have always been a violent animal that has shown their children how to be violent animals.”
Thanks: (GamePolitics)
How do you go from “lets go back to early American principals” to “…the colosseum to see a man get devoured by animals”? I must have missed that bit in my various American History classes. Worst comment ever. Way to pick the most retarded comment possible to help support your argument that Kym Worthy’s list of violent video games is itself retarded.
First off, all this lady has to do is educate her audience about game ratings. What’s easier for parents to remember? The title of 10 inappropriate games or simply to not buy M rated titles? By listing 10 mature games specifically, it wouldn’t be crazy for uninformed parents to assume that the other M rated titles are OK for their kids which they probably are not.
Second, the comment quoted above by the guy from Detroit Free Press is patently idiotic. No, parents didn’t take their kids to lynchings and beheadings, at least not responsible parents, just like responsible parents don’t let their kids play inappropriate games.
Actually, hangings were an “event” not long ago in our history. When these “events” happened, people would come from all around the area complete with picnic baskets to watch the festivities. Also, back when Rome was at its height, the gladiator events were considered a gentleman’s (for lack of a better word) form of entertainment and women and children were flocking to these events just as much as the men were and watching “over 500,000 people and over a million wild animals die” for pure entertainment. To deny that man has a sordid and bloody past when choosing his form of amusement is silly. Thank god we have come much father in our “evolution” and deem such things as barbaric, but yes man has always been a violent animal and still is in some respects. Just watch the world news and you will see.
I think that’s the point of the comment. Irresponsible parents took their children to these things and irresponsible parents buy their children M rated games. My daughter was dying to play GTA (she still is) and the answer is no. I have her firmly believing that she can’t play games E 10+ because she’s not 10 yet….lol. I know I personally don’t wan’t to go back to early American principals as I’d be looked down upon for having a child out of wedlock, being seperated from my husband and the kicker is I’d still be sitting at the back of the bus. I’ve gotten used to those ederly and handicapped special seats right up front….LOL! Sorry I couldn’t help myself.
Back on topic, I must admit I’m stil part of the problem as I did purchase Call of Duty: World at War for a minor. He was 16. I figure if a young white boy can ride his bike in the Bronx by himself then he’s old enough to play the game. I mean he didn’t even lock his bike up outside.
“inevitble reality”? so, if children play these games, they will automaticaly become sociopaths? This is simply ridiculous! This is the problem with people today, they believe all the stereotypes and listen only to the bad news that is put out by the press and media, about the incredibly small minority that cause trouble. Yes, one or two children have TRIED to re-enact things they saw in the game “Manhunt 2″, but that doesn’t mean that EVERY SINGLE CHILD who played it started going round trying desperately to murder people! I wonder if this woman has played any of these games, for a start, BLITZ: The League II is no worse than the wrestling or boxing that they probably watch on tv anyway, except with slight teachings of teamwork, secondly, Dead Space, true, it is very gruesome, and quite disgusting, but it teaches a skill that most people have long forgotten, SURVIVAL! Fallout 3 is far from being harmful for kids, in fact, not only does it teach survival, like Dead Space, it tells you how to prepare if the worst were to happen, and another nuclear war broke out. Far Cry 2, well, survival, decision making, *open sarcasm* how very harmful for a childs mind to learn such useful things! *close sarcasm*. All I can say for Gears of War 2, is saving the world from evil alien invaders really THAT BAD?! now, Lft 4 Dead, not only does it teach survival, and facing dangerous situations, it teaches teamwork with the online play, and how to avoid dangerous or unwanted things. legendary is exactly the kind of things kids love, put into a more gory and realistic setting. Resistance 2 teaches a small amount of precision with a mouse (a much required skill in future life) and logic, as with most games, you need to be logical to win. Saint’s row 2 and Silent Hill: homecoming are the only two games on this list I would agree with just a little, simply because Saint’s row 2 has no real teaching behind it, and is just mindless, and Silent Hill is very freaky, and would probably give people nighmares (it did for me!)
. But all this aside, Videogames are generally benificial to children, and teach important skills such as logic, teamwork and IT skills. if I was going to recommend a game for christmas, get them the orange box, on PS3, XBox 360 and PC. sure, half-life two is a bit scary at times, but portal is the most innovite puzzle games i’ve ever played, and team fortress 2 teaches something greatly required in later life, teamwork and communication, and choice of what you’re doing depending on the skills you know you have. And also, it really boosts self-esteem when you get a really good headshot!
When I say the things kids love, I mean things like dragons and griffons and things like that
AH SKIP YOU IM GOING TO BUY EM ALL NOW!
Please notice the sarcasm in the words “inevitable reality”. “All joking aside” was mentioned afterward.
Nobody is denying “mans sordid past”, but to claim that somehow “mans sordid past” equates to “early American principles” is patently idiotic.