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Jenkins On War And Videogames

Posted by simoniker on from the difficult-subjects-101 dept.

Thanks to the MIT Technology Review for their Henry Jenkins-authored opinion piece on the use of recent wars in videogames. Jenkins, an MIT professor and much-interviewed game-related academic, argues: "If the idea of turning war into games is so intrinsically offensive, why has there been so little public outrage over the use of playing cards as a way of representing the search for and capture of Iraqi leaders?" He concludes: "Given the divisiveness of current sentiments toward the war and the newness of games as a rhetorical medium, it is hardly surprising that these games offend some and disappoint others."

1 of 17 comments (clear)

  1. Is this guy the new John Katz? by MBraynard · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Is this a flame-bait post? Is it automatic -1 to question whether a guy with some letters after his name sets off your BS meter?

    Seriously, this is a totally lame topic and you would think MIT wouldn't put up with this kind of BS, but I guess it even does.

    First, lets review how what is written being a totally media (or Jenkins) manufactured story. Recall a Christmas Carol. What did SCrooge's assistant give his kid? A toy soldier. What game did your parents play as children? Cowboys and Indians or maybe Axis and Allies. Or the game Risk with it's similarities to WW2/1. Ever been to a Civil War re-enactment? Games and entertainment - electronic or not - have always been combat inspired.

    Second, consider that this is a commentary that attempts to SERIOUSLY analzy something that isn't meant to be serious at all - electronic entertainment. He's not looking at the business aspect of it (is it profitable or not) but trying to take an unserious topic and discuss it in a serious way. Sort of like a lot of sports writers do - discuss a game as they would a legal case.

    This article is totally irrelevant.