Video games have always attracted controversy. It’s been happening since the days when kids would spend their entire allowance in the nearest games arcade, but really caught fire when consoles made it into the home. Throughout the 1990s, the industry came under fire for allegedly glorifying violence, with shooting games drawing the most attention. What’s more, as gaming hardware becomes increasingly sophisticated, games are becoming more realistic than ever before. Whether it’s a game rooted in historical events or a fabricated tale pitching terrorists against government agents, these grisly graphics raise some real concerns about just how ethical the genre actually is.
The Columbine Effect
In 1999, two twelfth-graders walked into their high school and shot dead 13 people before turning their guns on themselves. In the aftermath, it was revealed both boys had been keen players of Doom and other shooting games. This sparked the latest bout of moral panic in the United States. Had shooting games inspired the pair’s killing spree? Probably not. A 2004 report issued by the US Secret Service revealed that only 12% of high school shooters had any appetite for gaming. Nonetheless, the discussion about shooting games and their influence on young minds rages on.
How Appropriate Are Historical Shooters?
Call of Duty is one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. The series rarely disappoints the critics, while 425 million copies have been sold since the first game was released in 2003. There’s a lot to love about Call of Duty, but the fact it takes place in so many real-life places often makes it an uncomfortable experience.
DICE’s Battlefield V might have fallen short of sales forecasts, but with 7.5 million copies shifted, it didn’t do too badly. Like Call of Duty, the Battlefield franchise places gamers in the middle of real-life conflicts. Everything from WWII to the Vietnam War has been used as the backdrop for Battlefield games, meeting with an unsure response from many.
How ethical is it to use tragic events from history as the basis for video game entertainment? An argument could be made that Hollywood does it all the time, with war movies often receiving raving reviews from critics and countless best-picture accolades. The difference here is that the likes of Saving Private Ryan can’t be modded by a creative gaming community while nobody’s firing up Full Metal Jacket to blow off some steam.
Less Controversial Options
If for whatever reason you want to avoid first-person shooters and tactical titles completely, there are less realistic alternatives on the market. In recent years, there’s been a slew of shooters released that dispense with realism and embrace a more out-there approach. Searching for kid-friendly games inspired by the shooting genre? The Star Wars: Battlefront series from Electronic Arts will go down well with anyone looking to escape to a galaxy far, far away.
Then there are battle royale games like Fortnite. According to the statistics, almost 63% of Fortnite players fall into the 18 to 24 age bracket. However, it’s thought that many of these players are actually younger and lying about their age. While it’s attracted outrage thanks to its addictive nature, its hyper-stylized approach to violence makes it a safe bet for younger gamers and those looking to take a break from realism.
Another option is Valorant from Riot Games. It might be rated PEGI 16, but this first-person tactical shooter doesn’t contain too much content that parents need to be worried about. That being said, there have been concerns about the increasinngly toxic community that have decided to make Valorant their game of choice.
For older players, this shooter is a great alternative to historical settings steeped in realism. Its sci-fi lore and near-future setting provide a welcome dose of escapism when you’re looking to get away from it all for a few hours. Prefer to spectate instead? Follow the progress of the best Valorant esports teams at www.1337pro.com/en/valorant/tournament-schedule.
Making Your Own Choice
If you can’t deal with the ethical conundrum posed by shooting games, it’s best to avoid them entirely. Shooting games aren’t going anywhere, while franchises like Call of Duty look set to continue for many years to come.
