Grand Theft Argument

Doubtless you've by now heard of the book entitled Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Video Games, yes? It surely sounds like the kind of novel you all would want to get up in arms about, but relax, the authors, Lawrence Kutner and Cheryl Olson, found that violent games don't make kids psychopaths, but merely allow them to experiment with dangerous behavior in a context that can be healthful (a position I myself tend to take in my editorials).

Of course, any position either overtly against or in defense of gaming is likely to be controversial right now, and GamePolitics has been documenting the argument between University of Michigan professor Brad Bushman and the book's authors. Bushman published an article in the Detroit Free Press essentially disputing Kutner and Olson's findings:

Grand Theft Childhood Author Weighs in on GTAIV

Tecmo Bowl Returns, Lands on DS

To: Tecmo
From: Crecente
Re: TECMO BOWL: KICKOFF FOR THE NINTENDO DS COMING THIS FALL

Dear Tecmo,

Don't you dare fuck up Tecmo Bowl. No story, no graphic overhaul, don't touch the soundtrack, no DC comic characters... and god help you if you include Mii.

Signed,
Brian
(Delivery confirmation requested)

"Kids Who Don't Play Video Games Are At Risk"

Thanks Ryan for the tip!

As an 8-year-old in 1981, I would read this Atari game catalog and think about all the amazing $40 games they offered that my paperboy earnings could not cover. And then I'd turn to the back page and read about the Atari Game Club, in Sunnyvale, California.

Sunnyvale. It had a videogame Wonkaland sound to it. Sunnyvale. Where, maybe, Pac-Man was the mayor. And Ms. Pac-Man was the wife of the mayor. And Jr. Pac-Man was the butane-huffing embarrassment son of the mayor. And Mario ran the public works. And Donkey Kong drove a bus. And Frogger was the crossing guard. And Pengo was an exhibit at the zoo. And Zeke the Zookeeper ...

Grand Theft Childhood: In Depth

We've mentioned the latest study coming out on aggression, kids, and violent video games, a book by two Harvard researchers entitled Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games. In case you're just itching for more information on the study that comes down on the side of the gaming industry, an education blog has three lengthy articles up discussing the book. The three-parter (as of now) includes some thoughts on the research, an interview with one of the researchers, and some more thoughts on what all this means when it comes to parenting.

The book is due out next month, but there's lots of information floating around out there on the new study. The articles are quite lengthy all told, but worth browsing if you're interested in the subject.

Shoot-em Up Video Games - The Cause of Greater Anti-social Behaviors in Teens?; Author Reveals "The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games"; Experts State: Do Not Banish - Instead, Manage Violent Video Game Play [Open Education]

'You Can't Do That': Social Norms and Gaming

There's a fun little piece over at the Escapist on social networks (real ones, not the virtual variety) and gaming. The social aspect of gaming lends itself to the creation of complicated rules and unspoken codes of behavior:

School days were a waiting game, ticking the seconds off until we could dash home and play, our bags bulging with the triple prongs of spare Nintendo 64 controllers. Lunch breaks were spent reliving past conquests and planning for future marathon sessions. Our passion for Mario Kart 64 spawned a mythology. Rules and codes developed, seemingly arcane in their source, unwritten, but loudly voiced:

"YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT!"

And it's true. I wasn't. My elation at discovering a neat glitch on the expansive Wario Stadium track quickly turned into disappointment as my less nimble-thumbed friends informed me that, as long as they couldn't use a shortcut, I wouldn't be able to.

Sociologists already look at in-game behavior and norms, and I have no doubt anthropologists will someday be looking at how people gamed and why. It's an interesting part of games in general, not just video games.

You're Not Allowed To Do That. [The Escapist]

PS3 Contest: On Picking The Winner

Those Childhood Taunts Run Deep, Just Ask Peter Molyneux

Kotaku Fridgu - Earthworm Jim: the Life Studies

Childhoods Spent Indoors: SJ Edition

Scott Jon Siegel here, from your pals over at Joystiq. Thought I'd contribute to the ol' nostalgia game. I am most definitely not above public humiliation for the sake of gamer pride: http://flickr.com/photos/testiclesgo/211938002/

Eric's Diary

Ben's Donkey Kong-Riddled Diary