>From the LA Times, 12/11/01:

*****

ENTERTAINMENT
Children's Group Says Video Games Are Too Violent

Technology: Study also finds few female and racially diverse role models.
Industry
representatives question methodology.

By ALEX PHAM, TIMES STAFF WRITER

A children's advocacy group on Monday leveled broad criticism at the video game
industry, saying games are too violent and send messages that reinforce racial
and gender stereotypes.

Oakland-based Children Now said a survey of popular titles showed that females
and non-whites are underrepresented in games. When they are present, women are
scantily clothed and more likely to be victims of violence, according to the
survey. It also found that nearly 80% of games rated appropriate for all ages
contain some violence.

"The preponderance of violence and the lack of representations of females and
characters of color suggests that parents should not simply take the ratings as
substitutes for their own judgment about what is best for their children," said
Lois Salisbury, president of Children Now. Those in the game industry objected
to the study's methodology, which deems violent such games as "Ms. Pac Man,"
"The Sims" and "Frogger." Many, however, acknowledged that developers can do a
better job of making games that appeal to a broad audience, not just young
males.

"There are plenty of games that appeal to women, many of them enormously
successful," said Doug Lowenstein, president of the Interactive Digital Software
Assn. "Can there be more? Absolutely."

Lowenstein said varying definitions of violence make such studies subjective.
Violence in games has not proven to encourage violent behavior in real life, he
said.

Game developer American McGee, who designed "Alice" for Electronic Arts Inc.,
said conflict is one of a game maker's most important tools.

"It's hard to tell a story without conflict as a vehicle," McGee said. "Games
are cathartic, and people can act out their fantasies in a nondestructive way."

Advocates at Children Now, however, said the ability of players to assume the
role of characters makes games an especially powerful influence on behavior,
attitudes and beliefs.

"These images can have unhealthy effects on children's self esteem, behavior and
relationships with others," the study said.

The study found that more than 40% of players of video games are female, but
just 13% of characters in games are. The survey of 70 games included the top 10
best-selling titles for seven popular hardware platforms.

But industry representatives said the list contains professional sports games
such as "Madden NFL 2001," which has only male players. In addition, a game such
as "Michelle Kwan Figure Skating" was not counted.

"This list shows what people buy, not necessarily what we make," McGee said.

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