by Damian Seeto

Created on: October 31, 2009

Many parents and other like-minded authority figures often debate about the amount of violence that is associated in video games and the possible effect it will have if such material is to be exposed to under age children. It is something that will probably never be fully resolved, however something that can help prevent this from happening is already in place that is censorship.

With video games becoming more popular and appealing to a more mature audience stricter censorship laws have been enforced in many countries. The game that was the catalyst for these rules was none other than the blood thirsty title Mortal Kombat in 1992. It was the most realistic portrayal of blood ever in a game at that time not only that but the fatalities was probably the most violent material seen yet in a game.

The average age of the video gamer was ever increasing. This was evident with the unprecedented popularity of the ever controversial Grand Theft Auto series. Since it made the transition from 2D to 3D in 2001 Grand Theft Auto III was the first game in the franchise to garner such negative attention. Never before was there a game like it as the level of freedom in the game was unparalleled. Despite many sources of media claiming it to be 'derogatory towards women' and a 'murder simulator' there was no denying the popularity of the game with 14.5 million copies sold. A lot more copies of the series were sold from then on.

A lot of people have spoken out against the Grand Theft Auto series and some have tried to ban the series altogether. Thailand banned Grand Theft Auto IV when an 18-year-old man murdered a taxi driver allegedly while mimicking the gameplay. In America Hilary Clinton had also tried to connect real life murders with individuals that have played the game but was unsuccessful in banning the game. There was never any clear evidence that the game responsible for the behaviour of such individuals involved in the murders.

In 2007 a survey was done to see what the average age was of video gamers in New Zealand. To some people (who had only assumed video games catered solely for children) they were surprised to find that the age was 25. They were even more startled that the average age of a gamer is 29 years old counting the rest of the world that is. This is the main reason why there is an increase in mature content in video games today and its should be the parent's job to monitor what their children are playing and prevent them from having access to material

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