Video games – and the people that play them – get a lot of bad publicity. They are forever being linked by many to increases in violence, attitudes of apathy and laziness, and lower academic performance. Those of you who follow such things would remember Jack Thompson’s tirade against video games, denouncing them as nothing less than the devil – leading some to question exactly what it is that fuels his passion.

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More recently, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione made comments about the rising death tolls on our roads – linking them directly to the prevalence of video games that simulate car racing. Also, Ron Jeremy – a man known only for his prominence in the adult film industry – claims that video games have a more negative influence on children than pornography. These views are typical of those expressed by many parents and the media, who claim that video games are rotting our minds and turning us into killers.

But are these views true? I think not.

As well as being entertaining, video games are good for your mental development. One particular study attests to the fact that research into video games has consistently demonstrated in gamers faster reaction times, improved hand-eye coordination and an increase of self-esteem. As an example, research from the American Psychological Association found that surgeons who were gamers were faster at advanced surgical procedures, and made less errors. Gamers that are at risk of developing health issues (physically or mentally) at those who play in excess – which is not the norm.

Video games are complex, and present a large amount of cognitive load to gamers – well designed games require far more problem solving, thinking and reasoning skills than other media, or traditional board games. Given the choice between watching TV and playing a game, I’m pretty sure it’s clear which is the most mentally stimulating.

Another issue with the media coverage of gaming is ignorance. Games aren’t necessarily designed for children, despite much of the media attention focusing in that area. A number of surveys show that the average age of gamers in countries like Australia and the US is in the 30s. Games are also rated just like movies and television, based on their content and the activities users are required to partake in. Children often play at a younger age than is appropriate for a particular game – to me this is a parenting issue, not one of the game itself. Parents need to be active participants in the lives of their children, rather than not caring and complaining later when they think that games have ruined their child’s’ social skills.

R18+ Rating for Games

R18+ Rating for Games

The topic of classifications brings us to an issue closer to home. In Australia, there currently is no R18+ rating for games, like there is with movies and television. This means that there are games designed and marketed to adult markets – let’s remember here that our average gamer age is over 30 – that are banned outright in Australia due to there being no appropriate classification level.

This causes a few issues. First, it’s outright nonsense, and I find it offensive that as an adult I am restricted in my gaming purchases. Second, it contributes to piracy, because people just download the games that are banned anyway. Last, it actually makes things more dangerous for children, in terms of the content they are exposed to. Often, if a gamed is banned because it would otherwise be R18+, the developer will modify portions of the game so they meet the criteria for M15+. This means that you have a game which should be R18+ being available for purchase by younger teenagers – despite the fact that the game has been modified to meet the M15+ rating, the core mechanics and gameplay would be very similar, and often only very superficial changes are needed to meet the lower classification level.

If you believe that adults should be able to do adult things, then please consider making a submission to the Attorney-General’s Department – there is currently a public consultation process, where people can submit their views on the issue. All you need to do is download one of the documents provided on the right (Submission Template), fill it out and email it to classificationreview@ag.gov.au, no later than February 28.

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