Re: Violence in computer games (Was: more funny [was fluff])

From: CurtAdams@aol.com
Date: Tue Jun 11 2002 - 18:07:25 MDT


In a message dated 6/10/02 19:36:24, starman2100@lycos.com writes:

>I remember in college playing 'Command & Conquer' in my dorm living room
>with a roomie watching. He was horrified at how I could leave behind several
>of my paltry infantry to be slaughtered by an enemy advance. In my view
>it was more important to immediately prepare my counterattack, and not
>risk the return of those troops which might cause the enemy to make a beeline
>for my base before I was ready!

Oddly, I feel bad about betraying computer players as long as the illusion of
sentience is maintained. Pieces I rarely have any feelings about as the
illusion of sentience lasts about 5 minutes in you typical real time strategy
game. It's very important to distinguish between illusion and reality -
just because it looks like blood doesn't make it blood. Treating illusion as
reality becomes very dangerous and counterproductive. People who like
gore in their games often give me the creeps - if they perceive it as
illusion,
why do they want to see it, and if they don't, it really does give them the
jollies to see suffering and I don't like that.



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