Freedom of Speech in Video Games

by David Boyle 

In a recent editorial by Martin Haller, he discusses mature content in recent Square games, including attention to religious aspects. In addition to violence and sex, religion is indeed one area in which many game developers fear to tread. However, although recent games have shown that violence and sex can be presented in a video game (ie. the Resident Evil and Phantasmagoria series), religion still remains a touchy area.

For this reason, I applaud Square's recent addition to their Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy Tactics. One of the central themes in Tactics is the church and its dealings with society. It is clear that this religion and its role in the game is inspired heavily by the Roman Catholic church of the Middle Ages. Since the game itself takes place in such a time, it does not seem out of place, but it is the first time in my experience that I've seen it handled in such an angle. Just like in Medieval Europe, the church in Final Fantasy Tactics is corrupt and thirsty for power. It seeks to take advantage of the weakened state of Ivalice and assert power. The main character is even branded a heretic and pursued in a manner similar to that of a witch hunt. In fact, the entire story is told by a historian reading from texts that had been hidden because of their controversial content. But despite its potential to offend people due to its "evil" view of the church, Square fearlessly made religion one of the central themes in Tactics.

But why are we even debating this topic? Clearly the First Amendment protects freedom of speech. Aren't video games protected by this fundamental right? After all, movies, TV and books have been presenting the same material for generations. Perhaps it is the notion that video games are more for "children." This may have been true in the past, with the 8 and 16 bit systems beginning the video game generation. However, those little kids who sat in front of their TVs playing Mario Bros. and Mega Man are now in their teens and even their twenties. Although some of them have since left behind their "toys," many more still like to relax after a tough day at school or work by playing the latest fighter, sports game, or role-playing game. So, as the video game players mature, shouldn't the content of the games mature also? Sure, kids still play video games and make up a significant portion of the audience, but this does not mean that all video games be censored down until they are playable by children. Fortunately, game ratings have allowed game developers to include mature content, but as the debates prove, the fight is far from over.

Which brings me back to Square. I'm ecstatic to see that Square refuses to soften the material in its games. Yes, their have been some omissions, including the harsher swears and more offensive sexual material in FF7, but it's clear that the trend is paving the way for games that won't be limited by a few sensitive players. I highly doubt that an establishment like the Honey Bee Inn or a perverted character like Don Corneo would have made its way into a game even five years ago. And although less controversial today, the graphic display of blood and fighting in the cinema scenes of Tactics is a first for the Final Fantasy series. Did these images offend some people? Perhaps a few, but what did it add to the game? For starters, even though Square opted for the sprite based characters over the polygonal characters of FF7 (a look I loved), the blood gave the game a greater sense of realism and increased the horror I felt when I watched the vicious acts of the characters. My jaw dropped as I watched Wiegraf fell Gustav by impaling him upon his sword. I doubt that I would have had the same emotional response had he killed Gustav with a mere swipe. The same can be said for sex and language. RPGs focus on story, and a story is meant to envoke emotions from the audience.

Where does this leave console RPGs today? Thankfully, it seems that they have the freedom to present a world that grows more and more realistic and that draws the player in until they are indeed affected by everything that happens. I almost cried when Aeris died. When Cloud confronted Sephiroth in a final battle, I was with him, fighting with just as much anger as he was. I grieved along with Ramza when he was forced to kill his own brother. Let's hope that Final Fantasy and all other games continue to allow us this vital and incredible connection.