Your take on Alcohol and minors in GW

Given i'm now 23 and English i've been drinking legally for a good while now so i can't really comment on booze in gw. However i do remember when metal gear solid came out on the Playstation. Snake had a pack of fags which you could smoke allowing you to see the infra red laser beams. I was about 15 at the time ( i think) Now i'll admit i thought that was a cool feature of the game but it in now way persuaded me to smoke. I would be highly surpirsed if anyone, regardless of their age has reached for a drink after double clicking on an in game beverage.

Actually thinking about having to double click 20,000 times i probably would reach for beer... or 8.

Most kids already see their parents drinking alcohol. So what is wrong with it in a game.

Every kid that is 12+ knows what sex is, so what is wrong with bouncy breasts on female ellys?

But oh noes, if you talk about it, or make a sexually suggestive, yet innoffensive name, you get banned :-|

OK, since everyone is concentrating on undrage drinking insted of the double moral of A-Net and the promotion of Alcohol contrary to US Laws I have change the topic Headline.

Isn't that exactly the effect alcohol has on most men in the real world?

Badump-kish!

I'd love to know what law you think you're talking about...

There is a bunch of case being tried right now about Alchol ads in media targeting students.
Stat cases being heard on Federal level, happend to run a cross some articals about it, thats why I opend this thread, but lost intresst now .

Bye.

So, I'll ask again: what law do you think you're talking about? Because "cases" involving advertisements targeted at students would seem to have nothing to do with video game content, unless Guild Wars has advertising in it that I'm not aware of.

And don't go getting all pissy because you started a thread with an unclear topic. YOU'RE the one who instigated the discussion involving underage drinking by alluding to it right in your first post:

That is exactly correct. If only we could get all the world's leaders to realise this.


You seem to be suggesting it is the fault of the game, however that is not what the article you link states at all.
I'll also say that the actions described in the article should be obviously stupid, dangerous and wrong to you; even if you are drunk, to think otherwise indicates you have mental issues.

No, unless of course you want other people to understand what you are talking about, which I can only presume is the point of taking part in a discussion.
We should all use SI units, a valuable system, that is especially important for scientific data, such as that provided by yourself.


Well yes that is true, and if alcohol had been discovered today it would probably be illegal in most parts of the world, it is a highly dangerous drug. However, it's consumption has become a well known socially acceptable practice, and we would have a ver very hard time removing it. In sensible use there really is little wrong with alcohol.
Why is alcohol included and these other things not? Because(!) alcohol is socially acceptable, many parents drink, there are many reasons why it is socailly acceptable including its history. Many of the other things you describe are not, parents would never let there child have games with that kind of content, and the rating would be ridiculous. Many parents wouldn't mind the use of alcohol in GW, and would trust the body governing ratings to do their work correctly.

Additionally, from a slightly sillier point of view, many of the things you suggest, would be innappropriate to the setting of the game, fantasy, or would involve activities that were far more in depth and akin to crafting, which is not in the game because that is not part of its design.

Big deal, in belgium its legal to drink from 16+ , and I think 60%+ of the gw community is that old so not that much of a problem in my eyes...

What a load of bollocks.

First of all, all of those subjects have already been explored in games to one extent or another and the games were rated appropriately based on the content.

Regardless, congrats on that giant strawman. Now, why don't you respond to the actual argument being put forth instead of that make-believe one you concocted and attacked: that it's the parent's responsibility to decide what is and is not appropriate content for their own children?

Hmmm... I remember as kids watching the Saturday night Kung Fu Theatre and at every commercial break going outside and just literally beating the crap out of each other and then run back in once commercial break was over. We certainly could have killed one another or poked an eye out back then. I lived, my brothers lived, and so did millions of kids who immitated their heroes, wrestlers, hmm John Wayne. Yes accidents do happen. Yes kids do get hurt while trying to immitate something that they have seen. But, people also die walking across the street, driving a car, at football practice, etc.. Bad things happen to good people. Accidents happen. You can't shelter kids from everything. And besides i hate to say it but alcohol, cigarettes, and violence was around a lot longer than video games. I started smoking when i was like 12 yrs old... and I don't think that Pong had anything to do with it.

There's no law against it.

Not to mention that iEnjoy MGS, and I have never infiltrated a remote Alaskan Nuclear disassembly plant with intent on killing several hundred terrorists.

In fact, the only thing I've ever done remotely game rated was when I beat a mission in True Crime: Streets of LA where you have to race to your brother in the rain. Taproot's "Poem" was playing on the game soundtrack.

When I was driving in the rain, and Taproot's "Poem" came on my ipod, I accelerated

The parents who would ban their kids from playing a game with a little mug in the inventory, are going to lose control of those kids when they go to college and become alcoholics. Puritanical strictness when out of fashion for a reason... it's foolish and dangerous to repress kids rather than teach them that things are ok if they're done responsibly.

just...no.

i dont think drinking alcohol in this game is going to turn me into an alcoholic. if it comes down to it, its the parents fault not a game.

They were drunk when they did it. Seriously, if they didn't play Mortal Kombat games wouldn't even be brought into this, only the fact that they were drunk.



Anyway...

I don't really think drinking alcohol in GW is realistic enough to get kids to want to drink alcohol. I know I don't want to drink alcohol, and I'm 16. Even when I first got this game and I was young and unexperienced (lol) I didn't get the urge to want to drink alcohol. I really don't think alot of people do, maybe a very small minority but you know, those kind of people shouldn't be playing games without supervision if they're easily influenced.

like kids dont drink already? no ones going to start drinking because of rice wine in GW...

I don't remember stuttering when I said “that's the parent's responsibility to ensure everyone grows up well balanced in the face of all these harmless game activities,” implying that a parent will make a well informed decision when purchasing a babysitter for little Johnny/Suzy.

My point was that since alcoholism is harmless and an optional, fun, appropriate, in-game activity with which every 12 year old is already familiar, based on its being societally acceptible, then why not include other harmless, optional, fun, appropriate, socially acceptable, in-game activities for us title seekers to work towards. Maybe a pokemon “gotta catch 'em all” STD style of title, or some other societal norm with which every 12 yr old will already be familiar. Or maybe I'm confusing socially acceptable with appropriate, silly me. But, then again, it's only a game, so anything goes, right?

Because everyone thinks clearly while intoxicated, amirite?

Studies have actually shown that people who play violent video games are much more calm and passive in real life because video games are a way to channel stress.

I think some people just take the game too seriously. If you're a person who is easily reeled in by product placement ads, you best lock yourself in an empty room, nail the door shut, and seal it with duct tape, because that is the absolute only way to escape them

I'm currently working on my drunkard title. I don't even drink in real life. Not a drop. It's a freakin game, and if kids can't realize that, they deserve to go out, buy alcohol, and get caught/grounded/sent to therapy by their soccer moms.

I'm aware that terrible things can happen if a kid gets their hands on alcohol, but it says it RIGHT ON THE BOX- USE OF ALCOHOL. If parents are too stupid to realize that their child (among a select few) may be influenced directly by games, then they shouldn't be allowed to reproduce.

I've turned alcoholic because of Guild Wars, and I'm just 13

I don't think any kid is going to become an alcoholic simply because he clicked a rice wine icon 5 times. I think every child in America has seen at least 1,000 beer commercials before he even picked up the GW box at the store.

All this talk of alcohol has got me wanting a beer. Guess it affects the older generation too.

I completely forgot, under Anets own rules that alcohol needs to be banned from GW.

Alcohol is offensive to some religions and cultures, therefore it should be banned.

I take offense that you think its offensive, therefore you should be removed as offensive. there is no age limit where i live, and i couldn't care less about the rest of the world. perfectly fine in my opinion.

I think it's extremely condescending to think that people are so easily lead by virtual drinking (which is actually simple double-clicking). I have never felt the urge to drink after consuming rice wine or dwarven ales and I have also never felt the urge to eat birthday cupcakes or candy canes after playing GW.

The UK government think that people drink excessively because they see people drinking on soaps and films and the dumb public, with no sense of self-worth or minds of their own, take the 'monkey see, monkey do' approach and copy. How patronising is this?

I've played GW for 3 years and haven't thrown a Fireball at someone, whacked them with an axe, hacked their ankles with a scythe or inflicted illnesses on them. Either my skull is too thick for these 'suggestions' to get in or I can distinguish between reality and unreality.

...and for all those who blame the GTA series of games for causing violence, murders, prostitutes, theft, drug and alcohol abuse, they all existed before and will continue to exist.

The blame game is not a way to solve life problems.

But Anet cares about the rest of the world, apparantly.

Alcohol is also offensive to a lot of Christians and Muslims, and cultures where it is seen as evil.

So under Anet's own rule, alcohol is a breach of the T+C's.

Computers are offensive to some religions so I guess if we are going to appease everyone Anet should just close up shop..

Seriously people. Grow up.

If you have kids pay the %^# attention to them and do not expect the teevee or internetz to teach them whats wrong or right. Stupid thread and a stupid conversation. Your concerned with a 12yr old drinking "dwarven ale" even though he reads the most vile stuff conceivable in local chat every minute. Get a clue. I remember all the "gamers" who used to hang out in ra and try and "convert" impressionable kids to what ever wingnut brand of Christianity they practiced. Its cool, grown men attempting to program your kids under the guise of "gw players". But yeah, spiked egg nogs o RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GOing no. Why are you all so dumb? Just because anet says its 12+ or what ever doesnt mean your 12 yr old daughter should be socializing w/ anonymous adults. Gotta love the ppl who beg for censorship due to their own laziness and ignorance.

That's utter nonsense. The "Blood of Christ" is wine for crying out loud. The "Evil" you are speaking to is drinking in excess. I cannot say for the Muslim community as I have little knowledge of their beliefs.

I refuse to believe anyone is capable of being this ridiculous through honest ignorance, so I'm going to assume you're trolling and put you on ignore. Especially since you, apparently, registered just to post in this thread.

Christians are not offended by alcohol.
There is a very specific story in the New Testament in which Jesus turns water into wine, I fail to see how alcohol could be offensive to people who believe this, not mentioning the fact that many Christians regurlarly drink alcohol during communion.

Muslims are forbidden to drink alcohol, this is not the same as being offended by it. Additionally it is perfectly acceptable for medical uses.

True members of most world religions are instructed to be tolerant and to respect others, they may choose not to drink alcohol but should accept that other people may choose to do so, and not take offense to this.

It seems to me that questions like this get asked simply to spark controversy or debate and it usually works. Every game has something in it that someone could find offensive or not in line with what they believe in.

If someone finds the sale or use of alcoholic beverages in a PC game offensive then one should find another game to play. Likewise if someone has a problem with a game that involves killing, hacking, maiming, sorcery, or necromancy - then you are probably in the wrong game. In GW, you might also have problems dealing with the jiggly boobs and skimpy outfits of female Elementalists and Rangers - not to mention their dance animations.

To stretch the OP’s point further, one could say that technically most, if not all, of the titles promote the Seven Deadly Sins. Does that affect my real life? Not at all.

I have to say though that when Sims2 came out and sims could cook all kinds of things they seemed to go mostly for pork chops. I wanted pork chops for dinner. Speaking of which, that game has a Cow Plant that eats sims - a lot of people found it offensive. Too funny.

Alcohol just barely appears in GW , it's not a big deal. If the main goal in GW was to overconsume alcohol , then maybe it would be offensive.
I just wish getting drunk in rl was as good in GW

think i'll start a thread in a nintendo forum complaining about marios cruelty to turtles and his obvious drug use via magic mushrooms.

remember kids, fantasty is not the same as reality. nobody will ever become an alcoholic by gulping down rice wine in a game.

tl;dr op is trolling

i started doing drugs because of guildwars its a gateway game to alcohol and so forth.....


are you ppl insane lol.

People have been drinking, killing, and performing other 'unsavory' acts for several thousand years.

it didn't take GUILD WARS for it to happen.


I must ask though - Stockholm, how could you not possibly see the overwhelming antagonistic reaction you've reaped when you got it into your head to make this thread?

The actual reason I created this acct was because I was afraid that the sarcasm of my posts would be lost on 99% of the people participating in this thread, thank you for proving me right. And I thought you were a lawyer of some sort, good job on viewing an alternative side of a subject then trying to work your ad hominem voodoo and attack my intelligence, well played.

I thought the OP's original question was referring to the age-appropriateness of alcohol exposure to minors in a videogame, and whether or not that was a responsible decision by a game developer. Regardless of whether or not pixellated images are going to contribute to the delinquency of minors, some people are going to have different viewpoints on what is socially acceptable and what is socially responsible. I'm talking big picture here, as in, for example, the religious police in Saudi Arabia will find some things a smite objectional than say pretty much anywhere else in the world. Note, I didn't say that these veiwpoints must be accommodated either, for those foaming at the mouth to attack anything not consistent with that which this echo chamber of a thread has become.

Remember kiddies, you don't get to vote for a reason. Your defense of “aww I'm not gonna start drinking cause of a videogame” is irrelevant. As savvy as you think you may be, there are reasons why protections are in place to protect your immature precious asses. And tho the brunt of these protections should be afforded by your parents, that doesn't always happen, and other entities are obligated to step forward to make responsible decisions for you to not further contribute towards your bad decision making skills while you travel along your road to maturity, hopefully.

I remember a thread a while back proposing for in-game marriages to be a fun, optional, addition to the game. Even in that thread there was a surprising number of ppl advocating for this feature. The thing that always strikes me as funny/sad/unnerving is that a surprising majority of the posters are usually cavalier and flippant and post without thinking and the thread becomes this rabid echo chamber, reinforcing bad ideas, especially when the majority of the defense relies on “it's only a game” “it's just fantasy” etc. I guess I should expect this when I'm participating in a discusson with postcount farmers and the like.

Beer ads appear during major sporting events, (American football, Baseball, etc), since these are aired on regular broadcast channels, most representations of alcohol in games is pretty much appropriate. If a child, who should be supervised while playing, is not instructed how to treat such portrayals, or cannot separate those from "reality", then it is the parents' fault.

Jeez, some of you really need to buy sarcasm detectors.

But you also need to realise that *some* people out there are offended by alcohol, particularly drinking it untill intoxicated. Christians may be allowed to drink it but they arent allowed to get drunk.

Some people are also offended by bouncing breasts, so all female characters need to be deleted.

Some people also hate dancing, so that needs removing to because it insults these people.

Just like they ban people for offensive names, they need to ban all material that can cause offense to anyone.

Some people are offended by fighting, violence and blood, so turn the whole game into polymock.



^^

How many broken sarcasm detectors do we have today?

I think this is the only reason I still play

Don't take away my breasts!

Open your eyes please, parents. Your kids get all kinds of alcohol/drugs/sex information from the TV and from the day after day. It's nothing new, neither it was 3 years ago. At least half of the teenagers in my school (from 12 to 17) are on alcohol/bullying/smoking/drugs, since at least 7 years ago, and this wasn't brought up by GW.

I haven't heard of anyone suiciding in RL for drinking one beer every minute to achieve their non-existent drunkard title. But I've heard of many kids killing themselves imitating many, many cartoons and dangerous stuff the TV promotes.

If your kids are getting on some bad stuff by playing this game, then you /PHAIL as a parent.

On the bouncing breasts, well the animations are quite bad, so,

ANET WE WANTS MOAR BOOBZ. MAKE LIVIA NUD PLZ.

I really lol'd when you said something about our society minimizing the alcohol consume. Alcohol sells. Sex sells. Addictions sells. Entertaining sells. Nothing but what your ethics and values are is what matters.