Damn he's full of shit

could be a double-standard, but without matt saying anything in his defense we could accuse him of anything.

Someday people are just going to have to realize that video games are not synonymous with kids.

Unfortunately it probably won't be anytime soon

Well, I don't think "Mature" games are marketed or meant for children.

Just because it's a video game, doesn't automatically make it a child's toy.

If they gave Damon enough cash he would be naked with a guitar in Times square.

Its all about cash.

much double standard.

People need to realize video games are no longer just for kids. This is the root of the problem for 90% of the violent video games issues.

When will people realize that adults play games, too???? Just because it's a "game" doesn't mean it's for kids!

Yeah, uh, could HE say something? Not his mom? He's a big boy now, I'm sure.

Wow, Matt Damon just went from bad ass to complete hypocrite in one fell swoop. Congratulations Matt Damon, you suck.

The toys part is a good point, but this is the guy from The Departed.

Maybe that movie gets a pass because it had Jack Nicholson in it?

Thank you very much for once again for trying to do the parenting for me. And honestly, who uses MTV games for their wealth of gaming insight.

To be fair, his violence teaches a lesson, being that white guys can in fact jump and kick... hard!

I don't know about you guys, but when I dodge interviews, my mom always picks up the slack.

I'd like to see someone actually ask him a pointed question on this topic. If he responds in kind, then yes he is a hypocrite and a little bit of a douchebag.

On the other hand, who in Hollywood *isn't* a hypocrite and a douchebag?

I'm blown away by how many people still think video games are ONLY played by people under 18 years of age.

here is matt damon and now we dont have time talk see you next time on jimmy k.

This is such a perfect time for the Team America clip with Matt Damon, especially when he's rabbling with all the other celebrity activist in a conference hall.

+ Watch video

Anyway, I wonder if Mother Damon realizes that children watch her sons violent, vulgar and venereal diseased movies.

Video games still for kids stereotype.....how original.

Sigh.

"Matt Damon!" (in a 'slow' puppet voice)

via Team America

WHAT THE HELL

Who says a R rated (17+) movie is for adults, but an M rated (again, 17+) game is for kids? My brain is gonna freaking short circuit here.

One could argue that movies are a far easier medium for kids to have access to than a mature video game. So yes, huge double standard.

Matt Damon watches Fox News??

@Trowble (XBL/PSN): lol beat me to it ;P

Wow.

So I guess both Damon and his mother a total fucking hypocrites. That's great.

I've just lost all respect I ever had for that douche bag.

I semi-agree here. While I think the industry is doing an excellent job regulating itself, I think that today's violent video games are so visceral compared to the Mortal Kombat type games from my childhood. That being said, I don't think that if I had children under the age of 13 I would let them play GTA or Call of Duty.
Mortal Kombat was just as violent, actually, way more violent. Being able to rip out people's spines and what now. But the presentation was what makes it acceptable to the 13 and 12 year olds. It gives you a sense of spectating, not acting.
Whereas in COD 4, even though I'm an adult and completely aware of what is real and what is not, I've had moments where I really felt as though it was happening.

Not saying that I was under the impression I was in Falujah hunting insurgents, but that I was carried away by the game; similar to the way a movie wraps you up in an enthralling plot.

My point is, even though I'm a hardcore video game addict; I do believe there is a difference between watching a movie filled with violence and making a character do an action that you choose.

I wonder if these people realize that games and movies are similar in that they both vary in target age demographics and that they both have a ratings system in place.

@Alexander-The-Great: what not*

I used to think Damon was a pretty cool guy, due to some pretty heavy fandom for Trey and Matt and the likes of Kevin Smith. Though wow, that's some wayward logic right there.

@DrcAnjel: Apparently not. That would be the sane, educated response.

MEHTT DEHMUNN!

Sorry, had to be done.

I'm almost afraid to admit it, but I'm actually a big Matt Damon fan. Sadly, though, this kind of double standard is a pretty easy stance to take, especially when it comes to video games. I think most people here will agree that the level of violence in the average game is pretty much on par with your average Hollywood action flick. Maybe not in terms of numbers, but certainly how in-your-face or stylized it is. Sure, I suppose I can see why the point could be made -- movies are a culturally established medium that lend themselves more obviously to a more 'artistic', less literal interpretation of violence than games. Video games are quite different in that they put violent acts directly in the control of the player, which, regardless of artistic merit, puts the acts in a totally different context than with the passive nature of cinema.

Which, of course, isn't to say I agree with any of it, really. I think that argument is superficial and ignores the bottom line. Regardless of how it's experienced, passive or active, violence is an extreme subject and not one to be taken for granted. If you enjoy it, you enjoy it, for whatever that means for you and whatever it implies, and that will be the end result regardless of medium.

Consider the argument that violence in video games is overly gratuitous and thrown around lightly and without reason other than to appease the bloodthirsty youth. Couldn't the same be said about any feature film? Gangs of New York was without a doubt one of the bloodiest movies of the past few years (Braveheart?) but the reviews invariably read something to the effect of "despite the violence, Gangs is a powerful and potent tale." Games-as-art is still a hotly debated topic, but I still firmly believe that regardless of whether or not games can be put on the same artistic playing field as cinema, 98% of movies--violence and all--are made for the same reason as games: to entertain the masses. The film industry has only seemed to adopt this "holier than thou" attitude because it's older, more established, and, in all likelihood, threatened by the exponentially increasing popularity of video games.

At any rate, who knows why Damon took issue with the violence in the game. I suppose we'll see when the game comes out, but unless there's some heinous squirrel-fisting zombie immolation, I'd take issue with this "level of violence" thing. I won't go so far as to call him a hypocrite, because damnit, Bourne kicks ass, but it's unfortunate that this kind of knee-jerk ignorant judgment continues to sully the public view of our noble passion.

(sorry, I imagined some patriotic music playing in the background on that last sentence)

videogames is not a toy anymore Damon.

Yes! I love this classic logic: All video games are for kids hence violent video games are for kids. How can you argue with that? O_o

I dont care cuz... I'm fucking Matt Damon.

"...marketing of violence in films to children through violent toys, products, and video games"

Wait a minute. The violence of the film is being passed along through toys, products, and video games? I'd have thought that the violence of the film gets passed along through the damn film itself! I doubt a child's toy for a PG-13 film could be really bad. Also, games rated T or M aren't for kids. The rating refers to a specific age group for a reason, plus the game case lists what kind of content you can expect in the game. Also, what products is she talking about? I don't see any Jason Bourne Amnesia Puffs (with explosion-shaped marshmallows) in the cereal isle, so I don't think that's an issue.

Media made for a mature audience isn't marketed to kids, and there are restrictions on it (ratings, sales restrictions, parental controls, V-Chips, etc). Marketing isn't the problem. Restrictions put in place by laws and ratings can only go so far. Personal responsibility is key here, and that's the job of the parents.

The world's experts: Matt Damon and his mom.

Anyone with common sense would know to -NOT- believe a non-gamer about these issues... however the majority of the populace worship actor's and their words so... it's a majority against us.

@Alexander-The-Great:

But the thing is, you watch an action movie to see fights, shooting, violence (along with the other just as important parts like plot, direction etc), same way as you choose to play an action game for the exact same reasons, only this time you get to act them out.

They're both a choice to experience violence; sure you get to exact that violence yourself in a video game, but the only difference with a movie is that you don't get to act it out. Games are essentially interactive movies, a game like GTA can be a relatively tame gangster movie or an over-the-top, violent, sexual gore-fest. You still that make that choice in movies by deciding what movie you want to watch.

@buttpwner: What has happened to the commenters on Kotaku?

Check the second post!

For all the people calling Mr Damon a hypocrite, think about what you are saying!

As usual, the media (MTV in this case) have put a twist on things to turn it into something it isn't. Why are we still letting them fool us into this sort of thing?

Just take a step back a think about things for a second before hitting submit.

Here we go again, ready to crucify someone for not sharing our same beliefs.

*shakes head*

Buh, he's supposed to be a badass now. WHAT HAPPENED, Big D?! and yes doublte standard, but as some have said, until he says it himself on national television, it ain't his fault(lol)

@buttpwner:

Agreed. As usual, angry videogamers are ready to torch someone as soon as they hear something they dislike.

It's rather embarrassing.

As others have stated, don't jump on Matt Damon when he has said NOTHING on the record. Quit being so reactive. It makes us look bad.

@Brian Ashcraft:

C'mon, Bash. Clarify if you're calling his mom a hypocrite (which isn't true because she doesn't like violence in movies or games) or if you're calling HIM one (which isn't true because you have no statement from him), so we can call you out on it. We don't help our position by using Fox News-esque tactics to stir up our gamer contemporaries. This comment page is already full of a bunch of Sara Silverman's ...

@Alexander-The-Great: i see your point but honestly when I was like 5 years old i saw a make out scene in a movie than went and tried it with a little girl that was over. We both actually wanted to try it. It was so stupid and we even laugh about it now. I just say that to show that "yeah a video game you control someone" but that DOES NOT mean you cant go and try something from a movie. Violence in a game is just like violence in a movie. Parenting is the issue. And i hate how people feel its someone else's job to be Parents rather than the PARENTS!!!

@DARTH_TIGRIS: EXCELLENT POINT.

sooo, they matter why? and do we really need a movie tie in game?

@DARTH_TIGRIS: You have got +99 respect. You deserve a star.

There is a difference between seeing someone kill someone else and using a robot(Console, Computer, what have you) to kill someone else yourself. Both aren't real so don't go into that.

I'm not so sure we can base Matt's actual opinion of it off this.

It could easily be like:
Mom: "Those damn videogames and their violence. Grand Theft Auto causes baby rape and AIDS, you know that Matt?"
Matt: "Yes Mom, whatever you say Mom."

Whatever gets her off his back about his movies. ;D

The game is going to appeal to, and be marketed towards, fans of the film. Why else would they make a game using the licence? Essentially, it is going to cover the same basic ground as the film, only in a different format.

I can't follow that basic piece of information logically through to that comment above. What does she think is going to happen? Possibly if they were going to release 'The Bourne Identity Kart,' and then bundle it with the movies, i'd understand. But that's pretty far divorced from reality isn't it?

Matt Damon...

@b1t0: When I was like six, after I saw "Point Break," I put a pillow in my backpack and jumped backwards off of the couch so I could "parachute." For the record, Keanu Reeves didn't jump off after me to tackle me in midair.

Who hasn't emulated something from a movie? Everybody's picked up something from popular culture, but I would say that very few pick something violent or inappropriate.

Those people who are saying us commenters are jumping to conclusions obviously did not read the article. The director of business at the studio making the came states quite clearly:

"So, where was, Bourne himself, Mr. Damon? He turned down an offer to be involved with "The Bourne Conspiracy," High Moon director of business relations Meelad Sadat told me. Damon was in negotiations to lend his voice and likeness when development was getting off the ground, but he took issue with the game's level of violence and pulled out."

I don't think we need a signed confession from Damon to confirm what is already known by someone who was, you know, actually there and involved. Just sayin'.

I'm sad to say Kotaku, but you're title couldn't be any more misleading. Tell me where Matt says he's okay with movie violence but not with game violence.

I'm also saddened by the amount of commenter's who can't see past the misleading title and read the quote for what it actually says.

In no way is matt saying he's okay with one and not the other. The second part is referring to CHILDREN being exposed to such violence in games. Is that really wrong to say? Does he say he's for children being exposed to violence in movies? Absolutely NOT.

I hope people read my statement and then re-read the quote.

Also I could imagine it wouldn't be the most pleasant thing in the world for an actor to see himself die violently often in a game. And less appealing to occasionally see your likeness kill himself...

Talk about Hippocracy.

wow, and i thought he was one of the few good actors in hollywood instead of a total idiot. of course, killing people in movies is okay, where it's more graphic, but in a video game, oh noo.