Thoughts on Games & L&O:SVU

Cnet's David Becker has a nice, long story that traces the political landscape forged between game developers and government officials. It's an interesting -- albeit depressing -- piece, because it does shed light on the absolute polarization of this issue.

This is a good time to discuss a television show -- maybe my favorite show -- which did a disservice to the issue. A few weeks back, Law & Order: SVU that featured two people running down a prostitute with their car, and then killing her with, I believe, a shoe. It was the typical violent death beginning that sets the show in motion.

The backdrop for the plot, though, was a game company which made a Grand Theft Auto type series. Throughout the show, they dragged developers, players, and programmers in and out of the interrogation room -- essentially blaming everyone involved.

I sat watching the program, and couldn't help but think it was exactly this type of thinking that must go on across the country (although I realize it's silly to put too much stock into a TV show). Something happens -- it involves games, or whatever other youth culture -- and from that comes a litany of accusations.