Fallout 3 fallout!

David Heath
Thursday, 10 July 2008 17:55

Business IT - Technology

Today’s announcement that the video game Fallout 3 has been denied classification by the Office of Film and Literature Classification, thereby banning it from sale in Australia has the gaming fanboys in a total lather.  But, what’s the fuss?

My fellow ITwirer Mike Bantick wrote earlier today of his disappointment with the decision and offered some possible reasons for the ban; mostly related to the drug themes integral to the structure of the game.

The censors objected to strong and frequent portrayals of drug use.  Well, surprise, surprise! 

Ummm… let me think… drug use in this game… sex and violence in Grand Theft Auto IV… what is the world coming to!

I know that there are endless legions of supporters for these games, the continual argument is: “Why can’t we play these games?”  “What’s wrong with them?”  “No-one has committed crimes in the real world based on the games.”  Well the last one is dubious… but let’s allow it to stand.

But why?  Why do we need these games at all? 

Do the players develop useful life skills by playing them?  Do they learn useful things about their fellow man?  Do they learn to identify and reject anti-social behaviour?

No, none of this. 

These games glorify an orgy of anti-social behaviour.  Never mind that the action is “not real,” that’s entirely irrelevant.  Movies are “not real,” cartoons are “not real;” yet we get involved – we laugh at the funny parts, we cry at the sad parts.

I’m all for binning every one of these games.  Bring back Tetris!