Ethical Issues Violence
To start this off, I’ve decided to talk about Violence within Video Games due to a debate which has been going on for as long as I can remember. Violence can be defined as an act where a character or player in a video game causes harm to another character or even causes death. Whether this actually effects young individuals who play video games is controversial, there are scientific studies that prove it can effect the young community which have existed for quite a long time now.Due to the advancement in technology, studies can go in more depth to discover if violence in video games can actually cause harm. There may be scientific studies that supposedly prove they can cause harm but I would disagree, I am personally a passionate gamer and have played mainly violent video games since an early age and has not effected me mentally or how I act around other people.
ETHICAL issues Online Transactions
So another huge issue that I’d like to bring up is online transactions for video games. The most popular MMORPGS on the market today and it has been for a long time World of Warcraft (WoW). Using this as an example there are a lot of people that are extremely addicted to games of this genre.
So, Some people pay monthly fee’s for accounts for games such as WoW, you may deem this to be fine yet it doesn’t stop there, a lot of addicted players will spend ridiculous amounts of money in the thousands for WoW accounts. Why pay over £1000 on a video game? well gaming is a hobby non the less, just like playing a musical instrument or a sport0 but still is it really OK? perhaps. Now despite people being able to auction accounts off and pay ridiculous amounts of money for other peoples virtual items.
So, Some people pay monthly fee’s for accounts for games such as WoW, you may deem this to be fine yet it doesn’t stop there, a lot of addicted players will spend ridiculous amounts of money in the thousands for WoW accounts. Why pay over £1000 on a video game? well gaming is a hobby non the less, just like playing a musical instrument or a sport0 but still is it really OK? perhaps. Now despite people being able to auction accounts off and pay ridiculous amounts of money for other peoples virtual items.
Ethical Issues Micro Transactions
There are also micro transactions which I want to point out.
Micro transactions are a form of virtual items which can be purchased online through an in-game shop, they can range from character upgrades, clothing, mounts etc.Is it really OK for someone to spend hundreds, thousands of pounds on virtual items on a single video game? some may think so. These small transactions may not seem to be a big deal but were now seeing them everywhere, even on Facebook! on a small but popular game which you may have heard of, Farmville they offer micro transactions, which can cost a lot.
Micro transactions are a form of virtual items which can be purchased online through an in-game shop, they can range from character upgrades, clothing, mounts etc.Is it really OK for someone to spend hundreds, thousands of pounds on virtual items on a single video game? some may think so. These small transactions may not seem to be a big deal but were now seeing them everywhere, even on Facebook! on a small but popular game which you may have heard of, Farmville they offer micro transactions, which can cost a lot.
CONTROVERSY on The Pokemon Series
Carole Weatherford, a cultural critic, claimed that Jynx was a negative racial stereotype of African-Americans.Because of this The sprites of Jynx in the international release of Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal were edited. In European releases of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, the sprite art for Registeel is altered slightly due to resemblance of the nazi symbol. Some fundamentalist Christian groups have also accused Pokémon as being linked to Satanism and these are some of the reasons why;
- Pokémon are like demons. They are captured and must be called upon to perform tasks.
- Magical talismans (supposedly a reference to Gym Badges) are needed to control them.
- Pokémon evolve. Though this transformation is more akin to metamorphosis in most Pokémon, the theory of evolution is denied entirely by the most fundamentalist creationists, who believe that all things as they are presently were divinely inspired.
- Some Pokémon evolution even requires the use of certain magical stones.
- Many Pokémon have extraordinary paranormal powers, notably Psychic-types. Those with Psychic powers are labeled as having been given these powers by Satan in the Bible itself.
- Many Pokémon embody or practice East Asian spiritual or mystical concepts, being that the franchise originated in Japan. Some Christian groups denounce these as pagan rituals.
- Some claim that if one were to play backwards the Pokérap, "Gotta Catch 'em All!" can be heard as "I love you, Satan".
CONTROVERSY on the Legend of Zelda seires
The legend of Zelda series is one of the most controversial games ever, it has to change its games so many times I've lost count. So here are just some controversial subjects that Nintendo had to deal with. The Third dungeon in the original Legend of zelda series was shaped like a left facing swastika. However this symbol also refers to the Buddhist symbol of good fortune. In the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time the original Gerudo Symbol had to be changed due to the massive resemblance to the islamic symbol. Also the original Fire Temple music had to be changed due to the chanting being an islambic prayer.
If you want to learn more about the controversy of Zelda Please watch this video from Game theory.
Legal Issues - Copyright
The copy right act is the UK current copyright law. It gives the creators of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works the right to control the ways in which their material may be used. One example of someone trying to break this copyright law is a company called mino. They were sewed in 2012 by Tetris for the similar gameplay mechanics. However because of this action in court it made games feel like they could choose to use the similar mechanics of Tetris but they could change the shapes and colours to make it its own game.
Piracy
Piracy is a huge issue involving anything thats to do with the media sector. Piracy is when someone illegally captures and sell illegal products such has early DVD'S and Videogames. However due to the product usually being captured by camcorder the audio and visual quality is low and can usually have giant giveaways that it is recorded in the cinema such has the audience or camera moving.
Helpful Links
http://gaminghighlights.wordpress.com/ethical-issues-in-video-games/
http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_controversy
http://zelda.wikia.com/wiki/Controversy
http://www.pcgamer.com/uk/2012/06/19/court-declares-tetris-clone-a-breach-of-copyright-big-implications-for-derivative-games/
http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_controversy
http://zelda.wikia.com/wiki/Controversy
http://www.pcgamer.com/uk/2012/06/19/court-declares-tetris-clone-a-breach-of-copyright-big-implications-for-derivative-games/