This is a question I've been mulling over recently. Is it respectful or even moral to base our entertainment- something we get joy out of- on events that involved the death of often hundreds of thousands of people, and wounding, permanently disabling, or emotionally damaging millions of others? If so, how do we justify it? Whether World War II games or movies, are they right or not?

Maybe the fact that we don't really enjoy the actual events is enough to exonerate us from any wrongdoing. But consider the fact that you reducing what were terrible life experiences for many people into a form of entertainment. Don't get me wrong, I play them myself, but I'm not sure I could look a WWII veteran in the eye and play Call of Duty while he or she was present. Even Saving Private Ryan is entertainment; it may not have been meant to be, but for most people, it is.

I don't have any opinion on this- I don't think it's wise to reject everything that might be offensive to someone, but I don't think I can justify playing or watching these games or movies either. What is your guys' opinion?

To reiterate: I'm not worried about playing them myself; I just wonder if it's respectful to those who have had to live through these events.

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My hobbies include buying games on Steam that I will never play, and chatting about how I never have time to play games.

Throughout history, great battles have been immortalized in story. It's how people have dealt with such situations. Would the Holocaust be as much a part of our collective consciousness if not for movies about them? Would we recognize the sacrifice of those that stormed the beaches of Normandy as much as we do now if we merely read it in a textbook?

Ideally, you would want the entertainment to simultaneously honor the memory of the fallen and engross the audience. That's not always the case though, and I don't find it morally reprehensible if you emphasize the latter over the former.

I have an idea antigrammer, stop mulling things over and stick to playing Mario.

Btw if you feel that bad, sell your war games and donate the proceeds to charity.

Except I don't feel bad and I happen to like my war games. I thought it was an interesting question, so I wondered what other people thought.

I thought I made it pretty clear that I didn't personally mind the games in my last post. Now that I look at it, it may not have been clear enough. To reiterate: I'm not worried about playing them myself; I just wonder if it's respectful to those who have had to live through these events.

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My hobbies include buying games on Steam that I will never play, and chatting about how I never have time to play games.

TRYING to have a mature conversation here. GTFO.

ANYWAY. I can't say I really have a super strong opinion on this, but when I first heard about CoD terrorist level, it really set me off. Who along the game developing process thought that adding that level was in good taste? My (ex) bf's 12 year old brother had gotten the game as soon as it came out and I raged. I know the level's optional but, really come on.
I guess for me, it's all about who they market these things to. There are people out there who have actually experienced these events first-hand, and now have to suffer with the the after effects. As long as these companies aren't saying that these war vets should be playing these games, it's fine.

Movies, on the other hand, I find are done more tastefully and are in better context. You also don't have the option to make your own choices. I can't say I've ever seen a war movie that was super offensive, even to someone like me who isn't terribly educated in history.

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Tჩε ղiყht is ძαrҟ αnd fџll იf τεrrიrs.

In not the thrill of killing people that gets me excited, its the thrill of shooting a gun.

There's nothing wrong with entertainment (which includes all forms of popular media- not just games and movies) based on real wars and events. This has gone on since Ancient Times.

It's about HOW it's done- this is where the issue arises.

That's an interesting take on it. I can see the value of getting the perspective on events that only something as immersive as entertainment can provide. I completely agree with your last paragraph, too. I don't particularly care if my entertainment offends anyone, but I would like to think it's not exploiting the life stories of a large section of people.

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My hobbies include buying games on Steam that I will never play, and chatting about how I never have time to play games.

So you can honestly tell me that you'd enjoy your shooters all the same if you were just shooting in mid air?

Why dont you ask those who have lived through these events then? but they aint going to be on 3ds forums are they? If you are not worried about playing them yourself, then what is the problem? I cant see where you are going with this, in my humble opinion.

Added after 11 minutes:

[QUOTE=Peachy;498619]TRYING to have a mature conversation here. GTFO.

ANYWAY. I can't say I really have a super strong opinion on this, but when I first heard about CoD terrorist level, it really set me off. Who along the game developing process thought that adding that level was in good taste? My (ex) bf's 12 year old brother had gotten the game as soon as it came out and I raged. I know the level's optional but, really come on.
I guess for me, it's all about who they market these things to. There are people out there who have actually experienced these events first-hand, and now have to suffer with the the after effects. As long as these companies aren't saying that these war vets should be playing these games, it's fine.


Trying to have a mature conversation, thats a first for you then! Get on down off that high horse. Thread starter of post your tatts!!!! (classy, NOT)
lol lol lol lol lol