So here's a question. If there was a preponderance of evidence that violence in video games was linked to violence in real life, would our position change? That is, are we reactively circling the wagons because we think there's no evidence of a link (and there doesn't seem to be), or merely because we like violent video-games? The evidence so far seems to indicate that there is no link, but that doesn't mean we should be in a rush to inoculate ourselves from further evidence. Beyond that concern, I think there's a deeper, more interesting question: Are we satisfied with having the vast majority of our games being 13 year old male power fantasies? I've played tons of first person shooters, RTS's, etc. but, you know what? I'm 30 now. And the Marty Stu thing is getting conceptually old. We're seeing lots of new and interesting stuff from smaller developers, so maybe we're headed in the right direction. My point is, it'll be a lot easier to navel-gaze, and complain about not being taken seriously by people outside of gaming once gaming looks more like something that can be taken seriously. If you disagree with me, just ask yourself which games you own that you'd want to show to your parents. It's a short list, but its growing.
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