The War Games Magazine

Tony James asked:




Computer games can be said to be getting worse generally if they become more violent. It is a sad comment on society for the complex development of the computers to be used as a means to simulate violence, murder, and death. Why video games so often revolve around violent themes is as basic of a question as why popular media titles such as movies so often also depict violent themes. The unquestionable fact is that multiple exposures to violence of this sort is desensitizing. Some will argue that without killing the game would have no fun, excitement, or adventure, which is of course entirely absurd. If a video game depicts “Space Invaders” as geometrical patterns to be destroyed, then that imprint is repeated and learned to become a basic thought pattern. We similarly see the same theme in Science Fiction movies, on the “War of the Worlds” or “Independence Day” variety. Patterning human intelligence to react violently through unconscious thought patterns to the visitation of intelligent life from other planets should not be encouraged.

The same applies to the violence of virtual beings against virtual beings in other video games. As video games become more graphically violent as to create calls for a ratings system, then there are other, greater needs involved. The strange fact that drives the market is that violence sells video games, which is a very difficult issue, as control over creative expression is not considered desirable in the industry, and is said to be driven by market demand.

Thus it is a matter of personal choice, as with any other media, that becomes the key: one should be very careful with what kind of thoughts one fills the mind with, whether they are coming from the video game, tv, movies, the internet, or any other kind of program. If video games that are imaginative and amazing are created using the top aspects of gaming technology, and include no violence, then they will attract more players. Young video game players may simply play the violent games because they are all so commonly available and not question the violent aspects of it, like a cartoon.

Thomas Morva asked:




Role-playing games, or RPGs, are quite popular among those who play computer games. This is because such games allow you to take on different characters and use the capabilities that these characters have as you play the game.

Some of these characters include being warlocks and wizards who have magical powers, military generals that command a large number of forces, and even wealthy tycoons who can purchase anything they want. There is a thrill in taking on these characters and using their powers to achieve a mission or solve a mystery.

The plots of these role-playing games are also as varied as the characters that players play. In these games, military generals are tasked to create empires; tycoons are encouraged to make more money; and wizards are tasked to do accomplish a mission or go on quests. The plots of these games, which started out as the classic battle between good and evil, have now evolved into games that also deal with the gray areas of life and other situations outside the conventional.

Apart from being available in computer games stores, these RPGs have also become available on the Internet. There is also a large number of websites that offer these games for free, and most of these can be played while the user is online. RPGs have also been a good avenue for different players to play with each other using a network. This has enabled players from different countries to play the same game with each other and has added to the popularity of this type of game on the Internet.

Role-playing games have become a popular download among fans of games that let the player take on different roles, be in different time periods, and interact with various people across the globe. The popularity of such games is increasing, as evidenced by the number of players who actually download and play the games. As technology continues to improve, innovations in these types of games can only further fuel its popularity.