Woo-hoo! Journalism Fail!

[IndigoDarkwolf]

Disclaimer: My thoughts and views do not represent those of my employers.

As a games programmer who works on the exact kinds of violent games that are once again drawing the ire of the public, I am in full agreement that the games are not the problem. Games are art. I'm glad that people enjoy the art that I help to create, and I want people to enjoy what I help to create. However, if enjoying our work is making you uncomfortable, we can't help you with that. It's not about whether it's our job to help you with that, it's literally we cannot tell you what the right answer is for you. That's a discussion that can only be held between you and the mirror.

I can only tell you my answer, which works for me: It's all fantasy, an escape, an opportunity to step outside of who I am and be someone else for a little while, until I come back to who and what I am. I went home and played through Bulletstorm one weekend. I thought the game was hilarious. It's rare to see a game so openly focused on gratuity. I had a blast playing it. One other evening, I went home and played through Journey. I found the game to be very emotionally affecting, and I found myself replaying it several times over. But in the end these games are just fantasies; they can help me explore my psyche, and that can help me decide who I want to be, but they can't tell me who I am.

Edit: One more thing I wanted to add, upon reflection. We're not holding a gun to your head. If it bothers you that you like our creations, and you are worried about the effects of that... well, stop buying our creations. Asking us to stop making the things you're buying because they might, in excess, be bad for you is a little like asking the great state of Vermont to stop producing cheddar cheese. Which is, of course, ridiculous.