It seems the press and mainstream media are turning their scornful gaze at video games once again!
At the midnight launch for Grand Theft Auto V in Colindale North West London, a 23 year old man was “hit with a brick and stabbed” before having his copy of GTA V and other items that he’d just purchased in Asda stolen from him. Police believe a number of people were involved in the attack and while the victim is reported to be in a stable condition, speculation around the incident has led many to believe he was attacked for his copy of the game.
Police have yet to comment on the reason for the incident!
But it’s not just GTA V that’s got British media talking, Call of Duty has the Daily Mirror in a flap… or does it?
That’s the cover for today’s Daily Mirror with an article that claims(?) violent video games, specifically calling out Call of Duty’ caused Aaron Alexis to hear voices before his shooting spree would take the lives of twelve people and his own.
“Crazed Aaron Alexiswas treated for mental illness after playing violent video games for up to 18 hours day and night.” (You can read the full article here!)
Sensationalist headlines get both sides of an argument riled up, gamers or anyone familiar with the gaming community will clearly see this as a tactic to scare and sell newspapers while those not so familiar with video games and in particular the Call of Duty series will see a notice to grab their burning torches and pitchforks and turn on the gaming industry!
Seeing both stories laid out in mainstream media, how do you feel video games are depicted by press today?
Editor-in-Chief, part-time super villain and hoarder of cats. If you can’t find me writing, I’m probably in the kitchen!
