They dealt with it with a videogame called Hitman that he used to watch, and it was a video game where you got impressions that you would kill somebody - hit them from their backside, where they were not aware that they were being killed.

CNN Video Report On Trial [CNN via GamePolitics ]

"It hit the victim in the leg, causing a large, red welt and several puncture marks," said Senior Sgt Bruce Jenkins, in the North Island town of Whakatane.

NZ man 'used hedgehog as weapon' [BBC - Ninja Girlden]

"The Wii's fluffy flowers and bright peach-colored sunlight glorify chasing precious talking rabbits with plungers," Greer said. "What kind of message is that sending to our children? That it's 'cool' to act like some kind of electrical elf or banana fairy?"

Wii Video Games Blamed For Rise In Effeminate Violence [The Onion - Thanks Kenneth!]

"Exposure to violent video games, even E rated video games, increases aggressive thoughts, increases pro-social behavior and increases general arousal," said Dr. Greg Snyder, a psychologist at Omaha's Children's Hospital.

Probably not what he meant mind you. Snyder went on to theorize that exposure to violent video games desensitize our children to the real thing.

"The more normal it is, the more likely it is they're going to activate or engage in those behaviors when provoked or even unprovoked," Snyder said.

"Just like any new media, it gets attacked. When any new genre of music comes out, it gets attacked. TV will, of course, get attacked. I'm sure, way back when, books got attacked," Miller said.

Video Games Normalize Killing, Doctors Say [KETV 7 - Thanks Everyone!]

What's worse is this isn't the first Lineage II-related death in Russia. Back in January one player stomped another to death while he was trying to break up a fight sparked during a real life meet-up.

What's even more crazy is that members of the Coo-clocks continue to harass the dead man's family, going as far as to threaten the life of his sister. That's some pretty insane clan loyalty right there if you ask me. One isolated crazy I can understand, but once a member of your clan beats a man to death...that's generally when you want to back off on the team spirit. Hit up the link below for the full story. More fuel for the fire.

Online game rivalry ends with real life murder [Russia Today via Game Politics]

"I'm really pleased to screen the movie at VGXPO," said Spencer Halpin, the filmmaker behind the work, "and I envision us having a panel discussion with participants from the documentary debating the matter thoroughly."

Controversial Documentary about Video Game Violence Debate to Screen at VGXPO

'Moral Kombat,' First High Definition Feature-length Documentary Debuts in Philadelphia

October 3, 2007 - (Philadelphia, PA) - The much-debated subject of violence in video games is the subject Freshman Director, Spencer Halpin, chose to tackle in his upcoming feature-length documentary, 'Moral Kombat' which is premiering at the VideoGame Expo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 3, 2007. The film was the first high-definition documentary shot entirely in HD three years ago using state-of-the-art technology and cutting edge special effects. The content couldn't be a more timely or more appropriate subject matter and is sure to draw strong reactions from both sides of the debate.

'Spencer Halpin's: Moral Kombat' is a probative work that examines interactive entertainment as a medium and seeks to objectively portray the debate in a fair and poignant fashion. It blends masterfully-imposed in-game action and cinematics with compelling testimony from leading figures from the video game industry, legislators, activists and others central to the matter. Though the film itself is not intended to be controversial, it has struck such a chord from those who are pro and anti-games.

"I'm really pleased to screen the movie at VGXPO," said Spencer Halpin, the filmmaker behind the work, "and I envision us having a panel discussion with participants from the documentary debating the matter thoroughly." Referring to the subject of the panel, Halpin went on to state, "the interviewees were so thoughtful and passionate about their perspectives that we just didn't have time to include as much of the dialogue in the final product as I would have liked, which gave me the idea of holding panel discussions; allowing the film to jump to life and the audience to engage in the debate."

Other notable figures from the film who will be attending include: Jack Thompson, one of the most prominent anti-games advocates and central legal figure from the "con" side of the argument. Jack is the mass media's go-to expert on violence video game legislation and has himself authored bills which sought to restrict the sale of "Teen" and "Mature" rated games to minors. Lorne Lanning, perhaps one of the most celebrated game developers and co-founder of Oddworld Inhabitants, is the voice of artistic expression in the film and seeks to show viewers, and now attendees, that games are an art form - no different than music or movies - and therefore deserving of the same protections and respect. Lorne may be best known for his hit, Oddworld: Abe's Oddysse, a multi-award winning title which spawned four sequels. The panel will be moderated by esteemed journalist N'Gai Croal from Newsweek, who also authors a popular game-related blog called Level Up on the Newsweek.com site. N'Gai has also written for The Washington Post, Details Magazine, The Source, Momentum, and Theater Week.

America's VideoGame Expo will take place November 2-4, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. For more information regarding VGXPO, visit us on the web at www.VGXPO.com

This makes me wonder if the catastrophic injury to Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett will make any real impression on the desensitized adolescents and adults raised with the cartoon violence of "Madden '08" or "NFL Blitz," or the absurd blood-and-guts scenarios associated with other Xbox games.

It's not unusual to see small, saucer-eyed children as conventions in the horror genre; in fact, it's common. Young girls in particular make very good devices in survival-horror video games, either as archetypes of feminine vulnerability (for who needs you more than a damsel-in-distress except a little damsel?) or as strange aggressors, all the more fearsome for their innocuous appearance. The genre of BioShock is already the subject of much debate, but for the topics discussed here, it cleaves rather closely alongside survival-horror story elements.

Little girls in horror stories: creepy yet vulnerable, fearsome yet innocuous. It's an interesting look at the genre as a whole and the role of the Little Sisters in particular - and rather refreshing when compared to the 'mainstream' focus on the creepy kids.

The Aberrant Gamer: 'Suffer the Little Children' [GameSetWatch]

I always try to differentiate my stories from their sources, but I am with Game Politics on this one. Uh-oh.

Dr. Phil Taping Video Game Violence Episode [Game Politics]

And, by the way, at any moment, if some kid in West Virginia goes and blows away 32 people, and they find out that he played a video game, guess what, we've got a problem again. Just as if he had watched a movie and then done that. Or just as if he had read "Catcher in the Rye" and blamed it on J.D. Salinger. . .

Gaming exec assesses impact of technology, legislation [Miami herald via Game Politics]

The two had been playing a sports video game when an argument erupted over who would play the next game, according to Lansdowne Police Chief Daniel J. Kortan Jr. "It was a dispute over the use of a video game," he said.

Not that it is amazingly important, but I'd be interested to know what they were playing. Tony Hawk? Tiger Woods? Either way, the fact that it was a sports game and not an FPS or GTA game tends to support the theory that the younger boy, still being held at a Delaware County prison, was simply one troubled individual. Many of you in the comments section of the first story were asking where the parents were, but what parent would expect their child to kill over a sports franchise?

Also there was some confusion as to how many times the older brother was stabbed, with some papers reporting twice and others only once. I believe the source of the confusion there is that the coroner's report sites the cause of death as a single stab wound to the heart. According to the original story I cited he was stabbed once in the lung and once in the heart. Only the heart wound was fatal, hence the coroner's report indicating a single stab wound.

We'll keep you informed if any more information surfaces.

Teen held in brother's slaying [The Philadelphia Inquirer via Game Politics]

"I don't believe the actual game itself was the cause of it. I don't believe they were acting out in any way or mimicking anything in a video game. I believe it was actual use of the game and whose turn it was," said Lansdowne Police Chief Daniel Kortan.

It sounds like he phrased that response specifically to ward off a potential wave of violent video game outcry, doesn't it? It's nice to see that situations like this can be resolved without immediately tossing the blame on our favorite hobby.

Thirteen year-old Jahmir Ricks was arrested at the scene, tearfully confessing to police upon their arrival. He is being charged as an adult with murder in the first degree. Something failed in this situation that had absolutely nothing to do with video games. Normal people don't go from arguing over who gets to play a video game to murderous rage in the blink of an eye.

Brother Kills Brother in Video Game Dispute [6abc.com - Thanks Dru]

Oh no, of course not. On the Lyndon Larouche website a new item is running entitled, "Bush Administration Issues Cover-Up Report on the VA Tech Massacre", which claims the games industry is praising the report for excluding any game-related information in the report. Sheer craziness.

Imagine you are writing a book report on, for instance, Mesopotamians, and in your research someone offers you a story about digital watches, which has nothing to do with the subject of your report. Then they get angry you didn't include it in the text. "Fahey Covers Up Mesopatamian Digital Watch Connection." Politicians are whacky. Michael Fahey

LaRouche Followers Claim Cover-up in Feds Virginia Tech Report [GamePolitics.com]

What did the groups finally agree on?

One would place limits on who can see violent video games. It would make it a felony to sell violent and obscene video games to minors. In addition, manufacturers would have to equip game consoles with parental-control devices, retailers would have to label games that are violent and obscene, and the state would establish a committee to study the problem.

Deals elude governor, lawmakers [Lower Hudson Online, via Game Politics]

Do you spend all of your free time playing or reading about computer and video games? Ask your doctor about...

My personal gaming bias aside, I can think of about 20 million other things I would rather have the CDC doing rather than watching children with diodes on their heads play Frogger - not that that wouldn't be immensely entertaining. Saving us from another black plague, for instance.

If gaming addiction were to become a recognized mental disorder, what doors would that open? Gaming addiction as a legal defense? Rehab clinics? Anti-gamer bias for insurance coverage? I should stop speculating before I freak myself out. Michael Fahey

American Doctors Want Videogame 'Addiction' Recognised [Spong.com]

With both the Senate and the Assembly having passed gaming bills, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno is calling for talks towards a compromise. You'd think that would be an easy task since there are only a few major differences between the bills, but if any group of people could argue to a standstill over something they basically agree on, it's politicians. Michael Fahey

Lightning Round for NY Assembly: Video Game Bill Passed in a Day [GamePolitics.com]

While the definition of depraved violence is quite specific (rape, dismemberment, torture, mutilation) and the penalty only a Class E felony - the least severe in the state - nobody wants to end up with a felony record because they sold Mortal Kombat to a fourteen year old.

The bill also calls for game consoles to contain parental controls, which is nice because then they can take credit for making sure consoles that already have them...have them. Thank goodness.

I think that there is a pretty god chance this one will make it into law, though with a severability clause attached that allows for bits to be removed without canceling out the whole thing, I'm not sure what form it will take. There's a chance it could end up the same bill as last week, only with Democratic sponsorship instead of Republican, which would of course just be a whacky coincidence. Michael Fahey

ANOTHER N.Y. Game Bill - Democratic Proposal Could Turn Retailers into Felons [GamePolitics.com]

This past Sunday twenty-four year old Adam Mapleson rushed to the aid of a female security guard outside a railway station in Essex England, who was being robbed at gunpoint by two mask-wearing thugs, taking a bullet to the chest in the process. Now in stable condition at a local hospital, police are calling the young man a hero.

Combine his passion for black metal music with the gaming favorites (Half-Life 2, Counter-Strike, GTA) found on his MySpace (courtesy of GamePolitics) and you've got a school shooting waiting to happen according to some people I could mention, and here he is trying to save the day.

Of course one could argue that playing computer games might have dulled that little voice in his head that would normally tell him to sit his happy ass down and not rush men with guns while unarmed, but taking a page from anti-gaming press coverage of the past I'll ignore that possibility and simply add, "Go team!" Michael Fahey

Gang shoot hero commuter [The Sun via GamePolitics]

Photo via MySpace

There is fun to be had in the press release (see below). As Game Politics points out, Senator Lanza uses the V-Tech Rampage 'game' as an example of games that needed to be regulated, despite the fact that as a non-retail amateur flash program created by an Australian there is absolutely nothing they can do to regulate it. A little shock value goes a long way though, doesn't it?

The bill is now sent to the assembly, and is fully expected to complete the process to become law. Michael Fahey

NY Video Game Bill Is On Fast Track to Becoming Law [GamePolitics.com]

SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION TO CRACK DOWN ON VIDEO GAME VIOLENCE
Bill Would Establish Advisory Council On Interactive Media and Youth Violence

The New York State Senate today passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Andrew Lanza (R-I, Staten Island), that would take steps to crack down on video game violence, and combat and reduce children's exposure to violent and inappropriate materials within these games.

The bill (S.5888) would establish the Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence to review the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) rating system and its effectiveness, and recommend additional steps that can be taken to curb children's access and exposure to such "adult-only" material. The advisory council would consist of nine members and six ex-officio members.

The bill would also require New York State's retailers to place ratings labels on all video games, and establish a Parent-Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program to work with students and children on issues related to violence in video games and seek to increase awareness of the ratings system on games.

"The recent release of 'V-Tech Massacre,' a sick game which exploits the Virginia Tech University tragedy, is a painful reminder of the culture of violence which has severe consequences on our youth and society," said Senator Lanza, Chairman of the Senate Task Force on Youth Violence and the Entertainment Industry. "The emotions and behaviors of our children are far too often shaped by the virtual reality of violent movies and video games. It is imperative that we find a way to prevent these virtual realities from continuing to fuel and teach the violent behavior which is corrupting our youth. My bill will provide parents with important information about violent video games so they are better able to make informed decisions."

"Everywhere we look, violence surrounds us and it is unfortunate that our children are exposed to this explicit material, whether found in video games, movies or on television," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "Our children our spending too much time watching television and playing video games without any adult supervision, and we cannot sit back and allow them to be exposed to this senseless violence anymore. I applaud Senator Lanza for his leadership and we will continue to push the Assembly to take action against these issues."

"No child should be playing 'games' that involve mutilating people with chain saws, having sex with prostitutes, or dealing drugs," said Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), Chairman of the Senate Critical Choices Task Force. "This hyper-violent material is mind-boggling in its brutality, and our kids should simply not be exposed to it. These commonsense proposals will better inform and empower parents throughout our State, while also helping to prevent our kids from gaining access to these video games."

Currently, video games are rated "E" for everyone, "T" for teens, "M" for mature, and "AO" for adults only. A study by a group of Harvard University researchers published in 2004 reviewed a random sample of 81 "T" rated video games and found that 48 percent contained violence, sexual themes, substance use, gambling, or profanity that was not noted on the game box as it should have been. In addition, a recent study published in Applied Developmental Psychology found that only twenty-five percent of parents surveyed said that they "always" check the industry rating of computer and/or video games before renting or buying them.

This legislation would establish the following:

> Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence — would establish a new Advisory Council on Media, Entertainment Software and Youth Violence, which will review and make recommendations on the effectiveness of the current Entertainment Software Ratings Boards (ESRB) ratings system in keeping violent video games out of the hands of youth. The panel, which will include parents, educators, experts in child psychology, child welfare advocates, concerned citizens and industry representatives, will also develop policies relating to public education and advocacy against youth violence, examine efforts being undertaken in other states, and develop recommendations for additional ways of regulating the exposure of youth to these games.

> Rating System Labeling Requirement — under current State law, there is no requirement that retailers place labels on video games sold in New York. To address this shortcoming, would establish a new requirement that every video game sold in New York by a retailer or over the Internet, whether new or for resale, must have a clearly displayed rating indication on the game cover or elsewhere (such as on a website). Individuals who violate these provisions will face fines and penalties.

> Parent-Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program — would also establish a new Parent-Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program, which will empower parents and teachers to work with students and children on issues related to violence in video games. The program will also seek to increase awareness of the ratings system on games, and the importance of appropriate parental supervision. The Anti-Violence Program would be funded through fines on retailers who violate the new labeling law.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.

####

Oh goodness, so torn on this one. On one hand, arresting the guy and holding him on $10,000 bail seems a bit harsh. On the other hand, I get the distinct feeling that the whole FPS project angle is a defense and not an actuality. One thing I know for sure, however, is that the mainstream media is so adorable when they try to report on video games. Note that you might get an ad as the video begins, and if you try to watch it again without refreshing you'll learn far more about Spokane than you need to know.

edit - Moved video to after the jump at the insistence of common sense.

So the father is claiming this is politics and that his son's first amendment rights are being impugned, and also looks like discount Fonzie with a giant cold sore on his lip. We should arrest every game developer? Sure, if every game developer sat around discussing how to kill high school students perhaps. Maybe Jaffe, but he's harmless.

Okay, mostly harmless.

I can't help but think that maybe this time around the caution might have been justified. There is a difference between designing a Counter-Strike map with your school's layout and sitting there like a dumbass discussing the best way to massacre your classmates weeks after the biggest school shooting in history. At the very least the kid should get a couple days in stupid prison.

Snooping about on the web I found Lance's page on bebo, where he goes by the name UbnKilled - you bein killed. *sigh*. Some memorable quotes:

ummm... I love to play first person veiw shooters.. games such as Fear, Half-Life 2, Doom3... and I like to play basketball and write...

I collect mid-evil weapons and have.. *counts* 10 weapons in my room.. and that's not including the guns..... so actually... to however wants to try to kidnap me..... do it.. i dare ya

If i really wanted to I could steal some of his programs and hack virtually most accounts, but I wont so no worries...

So yeah, the guy's a tool and between the comments and the suggestion that he's stockpiling weapons and guns I would have totally had him removed from the school as soon as humanly possible were I on the school board. Though you and I can see the moronic bragging and posturing for what it is, school officials like Northport Superintendent Patsy Guglielmino probably can't.

"I have to look at every threat as though it is real irregardless what I know about the student," she said.

Court to decide if Northport threat was horrible prank or free speech [kxly.com via GamePolitics]

Photo courtesy of KXLY.com

Paul Hwang's only crime was bad timing. He had the misfortune of uploading his mod during a period of time in which the nation was, perhaps unduly, made sensitive about the supposed link between violence and video games.

ECA's Hal Halpin Weighs in on Texas Student Case [GamePolitics]

Oh wait, it was completely founded. He had swords. Thank god we stopped him before he went medieval.

I can understand folks being a bit jumpy in the wake of the Virginia Tech incident, but whatever happened to just...I dunno, talking to the guy? Asking him what his intentions were. Seeing if maybe he'd take it down? There are better ways to safeguard ourselves then having police ransack a teenagers bedroom. What a complete nightmare.

Now the Chinese community of Fort Bend is rallying support for the unjustly punished young man, trying to get him reinstated in class, or at the very least trying to get the school board to admit they might have gone too far. As one community member says, "We should teach our children not to judge others harshly." What exactly are we teaching or children these days?

Twenty-two years ago a teacher caught me drawing him with an arrow through his head and made me stand next to his desk holding the picture for a half hour while my fellow students made faces at me. How far we've come. Michael Fahey

Computer Game Violence Level, Confiscated Swords Led To Student's Removal
Chinese Community Rallies Behind Student Removed From Clements [Fort Bend Now via Joystiq]

Gaming community group Empire Arcadia in New York shares my outrage, and is organizing the Fellowship of the Gamers, a rally to be held in Manhattan's Bryant Park on May 5th at 1PM. Gamers are encouraged to come "protest, morn and show how real gamers play videogames peacefully and responsibly." Would be nice if we knew how to spell 'mourn' too, but this is not a time to nitpick.

The rally could serve to display gamers as something more than solitary shut-ins obsessed with their electronic entertainment devices. Even if that falls through, it'll still be an excellent place to trade Pokemon. Michael Fahey

Empire Arcadia: Gamers Unite [MySpace event page via GamePolitics]

Two 17 year old boys were arrested for murder this past weekend in the small German village of Tessin, after invading a couple's home and stabbing them both to death. The police caught up with them after they had kidnapped a 15 year old female friend, bound and gagged her, and then held a knife at her throat for an hour before giving themselves up. The murderers' names? Reno and Sephiroth.

At least that's what Torben B. and Felix D. called themselves as they carried out the grisly crimes, and when the police seized their computer they discovered a copy of Final Fantasy VII installed. You probably know the rest here. In Germany, Final Fantasy VII is now being labeled as a "Killerspiele"; a killer game.

Now we all know the worst thing that has ever come of FFVII is bad Sephiroth / Cloud fan yaoi, but people in Germany seem far worse than Americans when it comes to blaming whatever they can for their homicidally deranged children other than themselves. Nevermind the fact that Sephiroth is clearly painted as evil and the game contains less gratuitous violence than most German television commercials.

My suggestion for German gamers? Leave as soon as you can. The situation there is not getting any better. Michael Fahey

Das sind die Opfer der Killer-Sch ler! [Bild.de (in German)]
Killerspiele [Gamestar.de - Thanks Barniel!]
German schoolboys announced stabbing murders (news report in English before game link was made) [Expatica]

Two German states have drafted a gaming bill that would make the Unnamable One proud. The proposed bill would levy hefty fines and jail time for anyone who develops, distributes, or even plays a game that includes "cruel violence on humans or human-looking characters". The draft comes in response to the German school shooting that occurred last month, in which a Counter-Strike player stormed the building, wounded upwards of 40 people, and then took his own life. Main sponsor of the proposal, Minister of the Interior Gunther Beckstein, had this to say:

It is absolutely beyond any doubt that such killer games desensitise unstable characters and can have a stimulating effect.

The law could put a serious damper on Germany's massive online gaming community, which could find its estimated 2 million players stuck romping through Hello Kitty Island Adventure instead of shouting "Boom! Headshot!" In a perfect world you could combine the two. Michael Fahey

Germany plans crackdown on violent online games [MSNBC via GamePolitics.com - Thanks 17-A]

A study released today by an Indiana University radiology professor shows that the effects of violent video games linger in the brain after being played, increasing emotional arousal and lowering self-control. Two groups of teens were studied, with one playing Medal of Honor: Frontline and the other playing Need for Speed: Underground.

Those who played the violent video game showed more activation in the amygdala, which is involved in emotional arousal, and less activation in the prefrontal portions of the brain associated with control, focus and concentration than the teens who played the nonviolent game.

Violent video game effects linger in brain: study [Reuters UK]