The+Beginning+of+Violence+in+Video+Games

__ Mortal Combat __
==== Mortal Combat was Released in 1992. Because of the real life graphics the game became extremely popular in the 90’s. The images and gore were brand new at this point. The game consists of one on one fighting and whoever loses more “health” first, loses. One player gains full control over the other and throws a combination of punches, kicks, and special moves in order to inflict as much pain on the other as possible to reduce their health the quickest. There were even moves that allowed one to decapitate the other. The media, overall had a negative reaction towards this game. The amount of blood and gore was thought to be unnecessary and harmful. Between decapitating one, electrocuting one, and one ripping the “still beating heart” of his victim with his bare hands, it's safe to say the media has a point. ====

==== The negative attention this game received pushed it to making a second version of the game. In the second version, the game changed the gore fatalities to tame ones and the blood was changed to white sweat. But in this version of the game there was a code to make the blood and gore optional. Although, the original sold more copies than the sequel. ====

==== Mortal Combat was one of the first video games to provoke negativity about violent themes in video games. It went on to become a cultural icon with many sequels, as well as two movies, a live action television show and an animated series ====

__Manhunt__
==== Manhunt was created by Rockstar Games, it was released at the end of 2003. In 2004 it became on e of the biggest selling titles. It has been described as one of the most “visceral and intense” video games ever created. The objective to the game is to escape from a prison and kill as many people as possible. There was just as much negativity towards this game as there was toward Mortal Combat. In July of 2004, a boy was killed in Britain by another boy. The boy that killed the other was said to be obsessed with this game. This obviously prompted more and more outrage and controversy. ====

==== Again the media was all over this game with their negativity. In Austrailia, the Office of Film and Literature actually banned this game from being sold in stores. New Zealand followed their lead. This game was the first to ever be banned in the country according to B. Smith. ====

Since than there have been dozens upon dozens of violent games. Each time getting more and more violent. For example, games like Call of Duty, Grand theft Auto, and Resident Evil.
[] = video games [] = rockstar games [] = Mortal Combat Video [] = Manhunt Video