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Video game rakes in half-billion
In only five days, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2″ has brought in $550 million worldwide. That is a new record, not only for video game sales, but for all entertainment releases.
The latest in the “Call of Duty” video game franchise went on sale Nov. 10 and quickly started breaking records. It hauled in $310 million in North America and the United Kingdom alone during the first 24 hours, making it the biggest-selling launch in the history of entertainment.
Except for a phase of crazed Ms. Pac-Man playing during the first Reagan administration, I have never caught the video game buzz. Therefore, I have no way of making an informed opinion as to the quality of this new game.
But that sure does seem like a mountain of excitement for, well, a video game.
back to top26 Comments to “Video game rakes in half-billion”
Fun game…parents should preview it before buying it…it does contain one of the most complicated themes as far as choices in a game yet.
The airport scence puts you in an undercover agents shoes, as a terrorist group (that he’s infiltrated) proceeds to massacre every civilian in the airport. Your faced with the choice of partaking to keep your cover in order to bring down the boss or blowing your cover…they did include a skip option though as well.
Just a forewarning to you parents.
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Lack of money does not seem to be the major problem in America. But, the wise and meaningful use of money does seem to be a problem. Maybe we tolerate government waste so easily because we are so shortsighted with our personal money.
Maybe I am missing something. What is the real value of violent video games?
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“What is the real value of violent video games?” This sure feels like a loaded question… There are many ways that I could respond, but I realize that in each response I’m conceding something — I’m conceding that the burden of proof is upon me to defend “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2″. But its not, rather the burden of proof is upon you to demonstrate A) that the game qualifies as a “violent video game” and then B) to prove that this game has no redeeming qualities (or that is redeeming qualities are far outweighed by its anti-redeeming qualities).
On another note, its nice to see something beat out the typical hollywood trash for #1 spot in sales. Having played CoD4, I was impressed with its realism and the professionalism of the game. I came away feeling as though I had a little bit better of idea what our military does, the sacrifices that they make, so that we can live in this country.
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I’d say its pretty violent Robert
Although, most games involve killing something to achieve some goal. Even mario stomps on a goomba’s head.
And Fish, video games offer a much better bang for buck form of entertainment. Instead of 8 bucks for a 2 hr movie…you can spend months playing the same game you bought for 50 to 60.
My father always told me to go read a book instead…I told him he should have bought me the book instead of an Atari
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I really don’t mean the question of the value of violent video games to be loaded. I have played none and only watched a few being played. It is a sincere question. Is there a difference from the cowboys and indians and army games I played as a youth where we shot each other with play guns. I felt that those games were quite innocent and of little harmful result. Is there a difference? I feel like there is, but I have no experience to back up my feelings.
The comment about giving insight into real military experiences is interesting.
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is the weii game system a good system for little kid with alot of energy, he is 4 years old.
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I think Call of Duty is overrated. Maybe if I played it more, I’d like it more, but I have no real desire to. On the FPS front, I find I generally prefer Quake Wars, Unreal Tournament, and I used to like Holomatch, Battlefront, Jedi Outcast and Jedi Academy. I find that for whatever reason, I don’t like games based on real life as much: I like fantasy/sci-fi. And, I prefer RPGs and strategy/empire building games, in general.
(Side note: too much excitement over a video game? I think not.
)
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Meanwhile, most Americans cannot name the Vice President or the Speaker of the House nor list the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
These people are part of the “majority” who supposedly favor Obamacare. God, help us.
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strategy/empire building games I love these games.
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Hey, I can name those things Kyle!!
Speaker of the House is Newt right??
j/k
Eh, Call of Duty isnt overrated TJS, its just not your cup of tea, and thats cool.
I never got into quake or Unreal much.
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I didn’t allow violent video games in the house while the kids were little. Now that my son is a Marine and I watched him play CoD4 for hours, I can see the draw.
This isn’t gratuitous violence, it is the US military (or others) doing their job with realistic weaponry. I found it to be as engaging as any war movie. The missions were honorable. It is about war.
So I see nothing immoral about the game itself, though I understand that different kids can see it differently? I am glad they are making lots of money.
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Pastor Roy,
We have a Wii, and although we haven’t played the games that require you to move around a lot (like Wii Sports and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games), it can get you quite tired out if you’re playing one of those two, for instance, especially if the game you’re playing is one where you have to constantly move your controller back and forth, as in Wii Sports boxing, and many of the Mario and Sonic events.
The five & eight-year old in our family have played both of the games I mentioned, and were able to play some of them decently.
They enjoyed tennis on Wii Sports (the game that comes with the console, if it’s bought new).
So, while I think you have to be careful to avoid video game addiction, the Wii can be good if not played too much, especially because there are games for it that actually require you to get off your rear and actually “get into the game.”
Note: there are many Wii games that either 1) don’t require any moving of the Wii remote to play, unlike Wii Sports and others, since you just push the buttons. Super Smash Bros. Brawl is one of those, but it’s quite fun and a great game overall regardless of that.
My take on violent video games:
I think whether violent video games is ok or not depends on several factors, including 1) is evil (such as killing innocent civilians) promoted, as in many games? I’d say there shouldn’t be much question as to whether or not you should play a game if the storline involves you playing the character of a mob boss or something along those lines. 2) This kind of ties in to #1, but is violence gratuitous, or is there a point, with you playing the “good guy?”
I have to go, so that’s all for now.
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I’m glad we never got any video games–not even a gameboy. It was hard to get through that time. Most of the people we knew who had kids, had video games. What a waste of time.
I had an old Atari before our child was old enough to know about games.
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Coming soon, a video game where you get to play God and create a new species of human beings, one that won’t destroy themselves fairly soon, as human beings are fairly likely to do.
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#14: I think I’ve personally heard of three.
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Thorn, I wasn’t making any statements about you or any particular individuals. Just mentioning cultural trends.
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Robert M (3): Having played CoD4, I was impressed with its realism and the professionalism of the game. I came away feeling as though I had a little bit better of idea what our military does, the sacrifices that they make, so that we can live in this country.
Frank: Nonsense.
There hasn’t been a war since WWII that has made a lick of difference in how we live in this country, because not a one of them has actually defended this nation or its people.
Korea?
Vietnam?
The Gulf War?
Somalia?
The Baltic?
Iraq?
Are you kidding?
I have no beef with our initial action in Afghanistan, as an act of legitimate retributive justice. But even that aspect of the mission has long since waned, and we’re stuck in nation building.
I realize that most Americans join the military out of noble and patriotic motives of wanting to defend their country. I did so myself.
But that was 30 years ago. Since after the Gulf War I’ve come to the understanding that “our military” has been misused way more in the last 60-70 years than it has been rightfully used.
I know our military men and women “stand ready to defend the US.” They’re just rarely used that way anymore.
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Oops, that should have read
“Somalia?
“The Balkans?
“Iraq?”
… etc.
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I know Kyle, just being funny.
I played the airport scene last night. Crazy plot twist.
They do gun down every civilian in a Russian airport. You dont have to shoot (well, not until the Russian swat team arrives). There were no kids.
I would still recommend parents always knowing what sort of game they are buying their kids and what is in it.
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Rio thanks for the information
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I’m nowhere close to an expert, seeing that virtually my only experience with video games was when two of my older brothers opened a video arcade (think Pacman) and let us younger ones come and play for free one evening. So I’ve played Pacman and Centipede (or something like that) and a couple of others, back in the dark ages.
Worth mentioning, however, is a study printed in Christianity Today some years ago (10 or 12 years, I suppose, not really sure) about the link between video games and real violence–I imagine it can still be accessed, though I don’t remember the date or the title. (I bought a stack of reprints at the time.) Some of the information I remember: In the old days, most soldiers never actually killed anyone, and even in actual battle soldiers often tended to aim close to, not at, a living person–the taboo against killing was so deeply ingrained. The army now trains soldiers with video games, giving hands-on “practice” in killing, and soldiers are able to kill. Further, teens who have never actually held a gun are able to kill (in a robbery or gang event) the first time they pick up a gun–they’ve had practice in aiming and firing, and practice in shooting and seeing blood spurt. They’re actually desensitized.
The article even included a story of one young murderer (about 14 I think) who held up a convenience store with no intention to shoot the gun he carried; I believe the employee showed no resistance. But the boy was so used to “pulling the trigger” in the games he played that he did it in real life and was sick with remorse. Sure, he shouldn’t have been robbing in the first place, but it was a sobering tale that has stuck with me for years.
So I’d say the old games of cops and robbers were just “pretend,” and had boys practicing being men and being heroes, but video games with blood and gore are actual training for killing. I know that nearly all households have them today, especially if they have boys, but in my mind this is one cultural trend I wouldn’t want to get near. Especially with young children (pre-teens) whose brains are actually going to be wired from early childhood with this stuff.
Plus, nearly every kid I know who plays these games has only what limits parents set; kids “cannot” control themselves on these games, but will give them as many hours as they are allowed. There are far more productive uses of time, in my opinion.
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Cheryl,
I don’t approve of these games, they are addictive – children need to attend to their studies. These games take precious hours away that could be used to a better advantage… as in social skills, getting along with others, perhaps playing out-doors, and sports. I’ve observed kids playing games for hours, not aware of anything around them…. they can tune out all noise.
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#12: Brawl is much better played with Gamecube controllers, IMO.
21, 22: You’re entitled to your opinion, of course. But let’s not tout the exception as the rule. I played some of what you might call violent video games, and I was still pretty terrified of even being near a real gun until I finally decided to take the shooting merit badges at summer camp. The responsibility still makes me a bit nervous. It’s a huge difference.
If, like Victoria implied she did, you have a problem with violent video games and are consistent, I have an easier time understanding that. But I’ve run into enough people who (for example) won’t let their kids play Call of Duty or other FPS games, but have no problem with World of Warcraft, etc.
Annoys me almost as much as people liking the Wizard of Oz but decrying Harry Potter as demonic.
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Cheryl,
Supposedly there are no direct correlations of video games resulting in real life violence.
It’s done more to keep kids off the street really, than on.
That doesnt mean there arent exceptions though. I’m sure there are.
It can actually be a very powerful social network, especially the World of Warcraft type games. It also has its downsides, as there are plenty of children or even adults who use and sling around racial slurs and other trash talking (kinda like a blog it can bring out the worst, simply because people feel more anonymous). It can also consume too much time, just like any other hobby or activity.
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Thorn, what do you mean by “supposedly”? I cited an in-depth study that says otherwise, even though I didn’t have the name of the article at hand.
TJS, again, I’m not citing “opinion” (or at least not all of it is opinion); and obviously not every kid who plays violent video games will turn violent, or every kid who spends eight hours a day playing video games (violent or not) will turn antisocial. But we Christians are quick to make the connection between movies glorifying sex and violence and kid behavior, yet seem to largely ignore this one with an even stronger, better proven link. I’m not sure why. Again, not that every kid will be harmed by them, but then, some kids can watch sexually explicit shows for years and not go out and have illicit sex, but we still generally wouldn’t recommend it. It’s still not a wholesome, productive use of time, and it still puts the wrong thoughts in the mind, even if they never come out in actions. I personally would like to see the church community manage to come up with better ways to entertain our youth and not have the occasional parent whose kids aren’t part of the video-game culture be seen as oddballs even within the church.
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Just remember there is a signficant difference between “correlation” and “causation” — just because a study finds a correlation between “paying violent video games” and “violent behavior” does not mean that if you take a non-violent person, subject them to hours of playing a “violent video game” that they will then exhibit violent attitudes. What is more probably the case is that people with violent behaviors tend to enjoy violent video games.
But that doesn’t mean that violent video games cause violent behavior.
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