Defense of All Media

by Jesse Sweetland 

The release of several contemporary games has prompted several concerned members of various factions to reaffirm their views on their beliefs. These issues include, religion and racism, issues that can be described as controversial at best. While the respective authors of these editorials are within their rights to express their opinions, they overstep the bounds of propriety when denying that right to others.

The primary function of media is expression. In the book Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, a literary classic, the subject of censorship is brought to the front. The protagonist, Montag, burns books occupationally to prevent the spread of conflicting opinions, but later comes to grips with his situation and promotes literature. This is obviously a statement against censorship, which, at the time, was a very popular issue with parents. Bradbury had strong feelings and it was in his right to express them.

The same applies with role playing games (RPG). While the belief system of a foreign nation may not align itself with ours, we are in no position to criticize them for their opinions. Several concerned persons brought the subject of religious portrayal in Final Fantasy Tactics into the scope of this debate, by claiming the Japanese were making malicious statements about the corruption and mysticism of the Catholic Church. Whether or not this is true is of no consequence -- the authors of Final Fantasy Tactics are entitle to express their opinions.

Furthermore, there are ample concerns about racial and sexual portrayal in games in genaral, based on the observation that black characters are bulky and crude, and female characters are lovely and demure. This was not a problem when games were largely tiled and therefore ambiguous. In today's three-dimensional market, however, such issues seem to carry a great deal of importance. Perhaps software companies should make little circles on the screen to represent people, so that red-haired women or men with brown eyes will not be offended.

All literature is opinions. This editorial is loaded with them. When the reader finds this down on the list of opposing viewpoints on the internet, he or she might infer that I dislike blacks and the Catholic Church. While this is entirely false, it serves as an example of the limited evaluation which the typical reader partakes. Or perhaps too much evaluation. This document is in fact nothing more than a technical argument for freedom of speech, a subject which is in itself a controversy.

Lastly, if one doesn't like what a book says, he or she is welcome to close the book. The same applies with RPGs. If one can't enjoy the game for its creativity, style, and gameplay as well as the storyline, then the machine can most certainly be turned off. There is concern, however, that the money exchange is more than enough motive to preach against the evil of such media. The answer to this is that those who live their lives in plastic bubbles miss a lot. If one is so insecure in his or her beliefs that he or she cannot endure original thought, then perhaps he or she should turn of the television, close his or her eyes and ears, and, by all means, stay out of the computer stores.