Why are there so many violent/grotesque PC games?

[TheNiceGuy]

Just a random lookthrough of PC games shows themes like nuclear war, serial killers, sawing off body parts, killing people, etc. I just find them disturbing and a bit of a downer. I can understand that the PC is more of an "adult" platform. But I don't think adults are all about violence and horror. Yet most highly developed titles follow these themes. Why isn't there more variety?
I can understand that games with these themes get your attention and are engaging, but I don't find them enjoyable.
Why aren't there any games about happy people and getting along and learning how to cooperate? Sounds like Sesame Street, I know, LOL. But I think it could be done.
What are your ideas?

 

[jonks]

how about a list of the mainstream titles that are exclusive to pc which you find objectionable?

 

[TheNiceGuy]

I'm not against anyone, or finding them objectionable. Just kind of a downer. And wonder why there can't be more variety.

For example:
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg...tag=topten;available;3

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/act....html?tag=topten;all;6

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/act...ml?tag=topten;rating;3

Or just at random, on the Gamespot site, the top 5 games available now for PC are all super violent, and involve killing people to be successful.

 

[Sam25]

Well, there are other genres you know. It depends upon what you want to play. Some people like tactical shooters and others might like a good game of strategic city building. Besides, there are age-ratings on games so that more violent games are not given to younger people.

 

[MarcVenice]

Psychology. Biggest population of gaming people ? Mature males in the 20-40 year range. They want to release tension. Instead of watching a feel good movie like girls, or playing the sims, they instead want to go to the gym or play a videogame that gives them a lot of arousal. Shooting people, going fast, blowing shit up gives a lot of arousal. Mission accomplished.

I think that's why. Demand and supply.

 

[roid450]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Psychology. Biggest population of gaming people ? Mature males in the 20-40 year range. They want to release tension. Instead of watching a feel good movie like girls, or playing the sims, they instead want to go to the gym or play a videogame that gives them a lot of arousal. Shooting people, going fast, blowing shit up gives a lot of arousal. Mission accomplished.

I think that's why. Demand and supply.

EXACTLY. shooters are all I play, and I find that in times of frustration or stress, they help get it out along with the gym. It's nice working out while you're mad, makes you work even harder

 

[Sam25]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Psychology. Biggest population of gaming people ? Mature males in the 20-40 year range. They want to release tension. Instead of watching a feel good movie like girls, or playing the sims, they instead want to go to the gym or play a videogame that gives them a lot of arousal. Shooting people, going fast, blowing shit up gives a lot of arousal. Mission accomplished.

I think that's why. Demand and supply.

Yes, couldn't have written it better....I play shooters a lot, specially when I have a tough day at work! LOL! :laugh:

 

[NeoV]

same reason people continue to go see movies that are complete garbage, like the SAW series - it sells

 

[Elcs]

Quite frankly, something like Need for Speed is my game of choice when its been a bad day at the office.

Something that doesnt require twitch precise control or require me to be focused like a twitch shooter or a much more realistic driving game works wonders. Fast cars, high speed chases... very few slowdowns.

I dont want to be sat behind a wall of text in a plot driven conversation with the Princess of Yet Another Kingdom in a World That Is About to Be Destroyed By the Evil Person when Im frustrated and tense. It makes me want to press "next" repeatedly until I get the jist of it and know which area i need to go to to kill more bad things.

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: TheNiceGuy
Just a random lookthrough of PC games shows themes like nuclear war, serial killers, sawing off body parts, killing people, etc. I just find them disturbing and a bit of a downer. I can understand that the PC is more of an "adult" platform. But I don't think adults are all about violence and horror. Yet most highly developed titles follow these themes. Why isn't there more variety?
I can understand that games with these themes get your attention and are engaging, but I don't find them enjoyable.
Why aren't there any games about happy people and getting along and learning how to cooperate? Sounds like Sesame Street, I know, LOL. But I think it could be done.
What are your ideas?

The Sims.

 

[aclim]

You gotta be kidding me with this post right? lol. Its not like these types of games are anything new.

Next your gonna say that playing these games turns kids into killers and rapist.

Good lord man there are other games you know.

 

[HumblePie]

There are TONS of non violent games for the PC. There are probably more released per year than the violent ones. The thing is, they aren't hyped up or usually shown as a TV commerical. Sure you get the occasional ones like Sims and Spore and maybe Scooby Doo, but really they don't sell as well. Since they usually don't sell as well, they are priced cheaper and the marketing for them is non-existent.

Go to any major retailer such as Walmart, or Target, or Bestbuy. Head over to the PC video game isle. There is usually two sections. One for the latest, greatest, most expensive violent games, and another second full of the cheaper non violent games. These range from simple puzzle games such as the latest Mah-Johng 2008 package and Sudoku, to Scooby Doo and Dora the Explora.

Trust me, there is a wide variety of games available for the PC. Just go to the second isle, that isn't covered in marketing signs and cardboard cut outs and you'll find them to your heart's content. Now if that is not the style of games that you want to play then there is no help for you. If you are looking for a big budget, non violent based game, then good luck.

 

[Emultra]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testosterone

 

[PingSpike]

Because you don't need an expensive gaming PC to bake a cake with your mom, and when you shoot real people you go to jail.

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: TheNiceGuy
I'm not against anyone, or finding them objectionable. Just kind of a downer. And wonder why there can't be more variety.

For example:
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg...tag=topten;available;3

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/act....html?tag=topten;all;6

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/act...ml?tag=topten;rating;3

Or just at random, on the Gamespot site, the top 5 games available now for PC are all super violent, and involve killing people to be successful.

These are all console games Your beef was with the PC as an "adult" platform but all these games can be played on the consoles.

And I don't know why you single out video games when just about every form of media employs sex and violence to sell. Look at the NY Times fiction best sellers any given week. Here's a sample from this weekend:

CROSS COUNTRY, by James Patterson. (Little, Brown, $27.99.) Alex Cross chases the leader of a lethal teenage gang. 1 2

2 THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER, by Glenn Beck with Kevin Balfe and Jason Wright.. (Threshold Editions, $19.99.) A boy learns from his disappointment with his mother?s gift. 2 3

3 ARCTIC DRIFT, by Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler. (Putnam, $27.95.) In his 20th adventure, Dirk Pitt searches for a crucial element that will help reverse global warming. 1

4 JUST AFTER SUNSET, by Stephen King. (Scribner, $28.) Short stories blending fantasy and psychological realism. 6 3

5 THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED, by Wally Lamb. (Harper, $29.95.) A man reconstructs five generations of family history. 4 3

6 YOUR HEART BELONGS TO ME, by Dean Koontz. (Bantam, $27.) A man is stalked by a woman who resembles the donor of the heart he received in a transplant operation. 1

7 THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE, by David Wroblewski. (Ecco, $25.95.) A mute takes refuge with three dogs in the Wisconsin woods after his father?s death. First Chapter 10 25

8 DIVINE JUSTICE, by David Baldacci. (Grand Central, $27.) Members of Washington?s Camel Club rally to save their leader, who is hiding out in the town of Divine, Va. 5 4

9 THE LUCKY ONE, by Nicholas Sparks. (Grand Central, $24.99.) A marine returning home sets out to track down the woman whose photo he found in Iraq. 11 9

10 THE HOST, by Stephenie Meyer. (Little, Brown, $25.99.) Aliens have taken control of the minds and bodies of most humans, but one woman won?t surrender.

Get the picture? Conflict is interesting, peace love and happiness is boring.

 

[Smilin]

Movies are violent too.

Video games are interactive though and frankly "Drama" games don't lend themselves to interactivity the way "Action" games do.

That said, I still object to your whole premise. There are tons of nonviolent games out. Hell just go look at the games list for the Wii.

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Psychology. Biggest population of gaming people ? Mature males in the 20-40 year range. They want to release tension. Instead of watching a feel good movie like girls, or playing the sims, they instead want to go to the gym or play a videogame that gives them a lot of arousal. Shooting people, going fast, blowing shit up gives a lot of arousal. Mission accomplished.

I think that's why. Demand and supply.

Yes, the gaming population are growing in age. Some games target the more mature groups who like to spill some blood or offer an escape from reality as you will.

Others in all age groups like more tactical games, adventure, sporty, or puzzle solving.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Fallout 3 is awesome. If you took away a lot of the over the top gore, the game would lose a bit of it's appeal. If you took out all the violence, well, then the entire concept of the game couldn't exist.

I disagree that there are "so many" violent/grotesque games.

Instead, I would say that there are MANY games that are not violent and grotesque. The thing is, mainly kids, conservatives, and women tend to play them. There are some business simulation type games and some strategy type games, as well as racing type games that can be really competitive or complex, where they stimulate the brain in a similar manner as a violent game, but the violent games just have more appeal.

Anyhow, my point is that there really aren't "so many" violent games. Violent games just get most of the media coverage and most of the shelf space at stores, because they are the most fun to play.

 

[DangerAardvark]

Here's the game you're looking for, OP.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: DangerAardvark
Here's the game you're looking for, OP.

Another possibility.

 

[Modelworks]

It is human nature.
Started way way back when people would pay to watch people torn apart by lions.
Or join in to stone a fellow citizen.
People get off on violence., especially involving other people.

 

[DaveSimmons]

nuclear war, serial killers, sawing off body parts

I don't know of any popular PC game where you play a serial killer or the torturer in Saw, are you confusing movies with PC games?

Also, Fallout is set 200 years after a nuclear war, so you don't get to wipe out civilization yourself, it already happened. You're trying to help rebuild civilization through aggressive negotiation techniques.

I'm mildly surprised this wasn't post 1 from the black guy avatar. It sounds like you read some Christian Parents Newsletter alert about the horrors of video games and accepted it uncritically. FYI, there is no pornographic content in Mass Effect (or perhaps )

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: TheNiceGuy
Just a random lookthrough of PC games shows themes like nuclear war, serial killers, sawing off body parts, killing people, etc. I just find them disturbing and a bit of a downer. I can understand that the PC is more of an "adult" platform. But I don't think adults are all about violence and horror. Yet most highly developed titles follow these themes. Why isn't there more variety?

There is variety. The Sims 2 is very popular, there are also other sim type games. Nancy Drew series is popular. Crazy Machines 2 is another one. Plenty of puzzle and sport games.

We'd have even more variety if people weren't so prudish. Look at some of the Japanese sex and dating games.

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: TheNiceGuy
Just a random lookthrough of PC games shows themes like nuclear war, serial killers, sawing off body parts, killing people, etc. I just find them disturbing and a bit of a downer. I can understand that the PC is more of an "adult" platform. But I don't think adults are all about violence and horror. Yet most highly developed titles follow these themes. Why isn't there more variety?
I can understand that games with these themes get your attention and are engaging, but I don't find them enjoyable.
Why aren't there any games about happy people and getting along and learning how to cooperate? Sounds like Sesame Street, I know, LOL. But I think it could be done.
What are your ideas?

Because those things totally suck balls... I wanna kill things and be entertained in general. I can go cooperate and be nice etc etc in real life, i cant take a battle tank and drive it through someones house to ambush and destroy another tank or go on a run people over with my car rampage.

Bottom line is being nice is boring, cooperation and sharing and all that crap is boring, getting along is boring.

 

[Jschmuck2]

Originally posted by: Maximilian

Originally posted by: TheNiceGuy
Just a random lookthrough of PC games shows themes like nuclear war, serial killers, sawing off body parts, killing people, etc. I just find them disturbing and a bit of a downer. I can understand that the PC is more of an "adult" platform. But I don't think adults are all about violence and horror. Yet most highly developed titles follow these themes. Why isn't there more variety?
I can understand that games with these themes get your attention and are engaging, but I don't find them enjoyable.
Why aren't there any games about happy people and getting along and learning how to cooperate? Sounds like Sesame Street, I know, LOL. But I think it could be done.
What are your ideas?

Because those things totally suck balls... I wanna kill things and be entertained in general. I can go cooperate and be nice etc etc in real life, i cant take a battle tank and drive it through someones house to ambush and destroy another tank or go on a run people over with my car rampage.

Bottom line is being nice is boring, cooperation and sharing and all that crap is boring, getting along is boring.

Wow. Age 14 called and they want their attitude back.