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We Don’t Bite… Hard

After watching the BBC 1 TV programme “Panorama” I’m disgusted with how gamers were displayed. It was a one-sided argument, with roughly 40 seconds of being positive towards games. Games are popular and are everywhere; people need to deal with this. Thanks to this programme, my grandfather left a copy of today’s Manchester Evening News for me to find with an article on the documentary. Can’t wait for that conversation …

"Back in my day." … oh hush old man!

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I’m a gamer and hopefully will be till I can no longer hold a control pad. This documentary won’t stop me gaming, but I know it will make being a gamer in my family more difficult. I’m seen as the odd one already and now my family believe me to be an addict because the BBC has said so! I can tell you that I am not, because I don’t game for stupid hours on end like some of the idiots out there. The longest gaming run I ever did was for a gaming charity, not bunking off university or work. I agree that games can make you want more, but at the end of the day it’s all about control. YOU can turn the console off. YOU can walk away. The console isn’t stopping you. There’s no force field holding you, it’s all about control. When my Xbox 360 broke and was gone for almost 3 weeks to be repaired, I was ok. No sweats or tantrums, I read a book, watched a DVD, spent time with my family and friends and awaited its return. I didn’t become violent or lash out at people. If anything, games help me unwind and calm down after a bad day and even help cheer me up when I advance more into the story, or unlock an achievement.

These guys are future dads … I'm not worried!

I know parents who gamed before they became parents and still do, even with their kids. Look at the Kinect and the Wii, they are family based, so where’s the problem? Parents are responsible for their children and should know what their child is playing, especially if it’s an 18-rated game! I think some parents are scared of games because they see them as unhealthy and bad influences. Yes, this can happen, but it’s your job as a parent to intervene. I’m not a parent, but I would try my best to understand why my child is so absorbed in this activity and try and place limits to what they do with it. Don’t assume your child is a violent little addict who will hate you if you only allow him 3 hours of gaming a day! I know many won’t agree with my rant, but I’m upset over the bad stigma that has been thrown onto gaming. I guess people are afraid of things they don’t understand, heck, it happened with Elvis and rock and roll. So, looks like gaming is going to continue being misunderstood unless people change their outlooks, or at least try and understand. End rant.

Mario: Ok, where's the wisea guy who say we badda?

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9 responses to “We Don’t Bite… Hard”

  1. Zani avatar
    Zani

    I completely agree with your disgust at the way gaming was portrayed in this programme. I have found that gaming for almost all those that I know have helped them function better because of the relief that a little relaxation can bring. I agree that gaming can become severely detrimental to some people, but in my personal experience, it has broadened my cultural understanding of Europe in particular, and I have made some life-long friends. Fantastic blog post. Thank you.

  2. Mike avatar
    Mike

    That programme was a joke. It only focused on young men and shooting games. It never looked at the possibility of people of all ages and genders becoming addicted to puzzle games, etc.
    Any report on videogames that names the heroine of Tomb Raider as ‘Laura Croft’ immediately becomes suspect in my view.

  3. DelTorroElSorrow avatar
    DelTorroElSorrow

    Disagree. Panorama was balanced and fair in its’ report on games addiction. The very fact that they showed footage of three seperate people saying that gaming is mostly beneficial is proof of that.

    What we gamers need to do is stop being so bloody sensetive. The program spoke to three people who’ve been addicted to games and mentioned how Korea has geared up to tackle the problem. One of those addicts said World of Warcraft was to blame, one blamed Call of Duty, but the other said that the problem is his and that games aren’t to blame. Three industry professionals were interviewed and they each said that while the vast majority will find gaming beneficial there is always that minority that become addicted.

    The program didn’t even come to a conclusion other than that gamers and parents should be careful.

  4. Mike avatar
    Mike

    *sensitive.

  5. FlecTec avatar
    FlecTec

    I wouldn’t really call it balanced and fair. The overall tone of the programme was that games were evil even with the small segments with people saying otherwise.

    I had a couple of problems with how the programme was presented.

    There were two or three times when they suggested that going out and getting pissed was more benificial than staying in playing games and one time when they said one addict should go out and get himself a girlfriend.

    If they really believed that the people they interviewed were addicted why did they interview them while they were playing the games? Is that not like doing a documentary on alcoholics and interviewing one with a pint in front of them?

    Anything can be addtictive if the person has addictive tendencies (somebody said this on the programme but I can’t remember who it was glossed over so quickly) but somehow I don’t think we will be seeing a Panorama episode about TV addiction anytime soon.

  6. Celeste avatar
    Celeste

    Actually I would argue that both the public and the media are quite drastically changing their perceptions on games – hence the mockery that’s hit the Panorama showing since it aired. As I understand it, the program was biased and poorly thought-out (though I have yet to see it).

    Some older generations did not grow up with games and therefore many people in those generations hold a different understanding of and relationship with them. Nintendo and others have done more than was ever anticipated to change the younger mainstream’s relationship with games at this stage.

    My main point: I’m not angry about this negative viewpoint because I don’t think enough people hold it anymore.

    Then again I am one of the idiots out there who game for stupid hours on end, so I’d say anything. ^_^

  7. Optimus Pints avatar
    Optimus Pints

    Just watched it with a pinch of salt, it was more Brass Eye (or the day today, you choose) than actually reporting.

    Besides if you all don’t stop gaming, then someones going to hit you like an angered korean mother ^ ^ that part of the programme had me in stitches

  8. The Rook avatar
    The Rook

    I didn’t watch it, I was playing something at the time but it’s my choice of what to do with my time. I’ve have been gaming for many years now and I feel I’ve turned out alright.

  9. Lauren avatar
    Lauren

    Lol, I meant no offense with the idiots remake. I was just super peeved when writing the blog 🙂

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