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EA and Epic Games’ Bulletstorm hasn’t yet arrived in stores, but the violence it depicts is already being linked to sex crimes, if Fox News is to be believed.
In a Fox News report titled, ‘Is Bulletstorm the worst video game in the world?’, various experts speculate on the possible negative affects of playing Bulletstorm and other violent video games.
Fox news reporter John Brandon set the scene: “With kids as young as 9 playing such games, the experts FoxNews.com spoke with were nearly universally worried that video game violence may be reaching a fever pitch.”
Dr. Jerry Weichman, a clinical psychologist at the Hoag Neurosciences Institute in Southern California, commented: “If a younger kid experiences Bulletstorm’s explicit language and violence, the damage could be significant.”
He added: “Violent video games like Bulletstorm have the potential to send the message that violence and insults with sexual innuendos are the way to handle disputes and problems.”
Carol Lieberman, a psychologist and author, told Fox News that video games can be linked to a rise in instances of rape.
“The increase in rapes can be attributed in large part to the playing out of [sexual] scenes in video games,” she said.
Lieberman also believes that ESRB ratings, such as M for Mature, are pointless because it isn’t enforced at retail.
Fox adds that Melanie Killen, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Maryland who has pushed for laws that govern the sale of video games, believes 9-year olds are playing games like Bulletstorm and such titles are being targeted at these kids.
“The marketing is clearly aimed at children and young adolescents,” Killen told Fox News. “Politicians were organising efforts to address violent video games prior to the presidential election but got distracted by the election. It is time for senators and representatives to come back to the issue.”
Hal Halpin, president of the Entertainment Consumers Association, believes parents should take responsibility for ensuring their children don’t get access to inappropriate video games.
“Between a great ratings system, parental controls on the consoles and the major retailers inhibiting the sale of Mature-rated games to minors, the matter is really one for parents and adults to consider, individually,” Halpin told Fox News. “I respect the creative rights of game developers to make a game like Bulletstorm in the same way that I appreciate Quentin Tarantino’s right to make over-the-top movies like Kill Bill.”
Epic didn’t respond to Fox News’ requests, but publisher EA released the following statement: “Bulletstorm has been given an “M” rating by the ESRB, and we have adhered to all their guidelines in regards to the marketing and promotion of Bulletstorm.”
Bulletstorm will be released on February 25 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. For more on the game check out our video interview with Cliff Bleszinski.
Fox News has a reputation for negatively covering video games without thoroughly investigating them. In January 2008 it launched an attack on Mass Effect due claims it contained graphic sex and full-frontal nudity – which was completely untrue. The headline, ‘Is Bulletstorm the worst video game in the world?’ is quite frankly ridiculous and smacks of a lack of research. Everyone knows the worst game in the world is Final Fantasy VII.
About the Author
Bulletstorm
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
- Genre(s): Action, First Person, Shooter
