War Games (Games about War, that is)

After listening to the discussions we have had in class this past week, I began to think about the ethicality of merging media and war. Is it really that bad that companies are profiting off of war by making video games about it? Or is it terrible that "America's Army" is funded by the United States military in order to recruit young individuals? Let me start off by saying that I am neither pro-war or anti-war. If it weren't for those people that had/have the drive and loyalty to enter the armed forces, we would all be screwed. Having said that, it is a choice to play games like "Call of Duty" (because they're fun) and the average consumer doesn't think that they are paying into the exploitation of current conflicts. Personally, I believe game publishers go this route because it's relevant to our society, not because they want to become war profiteers. Unfortunately, as we discussed in class, our generation has not seen a decade without war, so it is something we are completely familiar with. Nearly every American boy growing up probably thinks about joining a branch of the armed forces at one point in their lives, whether it be because of monetary compensation, glory, or as part of a family legacy. Either way, we will all inevitably be exposed to the atrocities of war.

Many people in our country think it's completely wrong for companies like Activision (or Treyarch, depending on your preference) to release games that expose war for what it really is; bloody and violent. Yet, we do not question when Anderson Cooper is reporting from a war-torn Iraq as it is about to undergo the process of "Shock and Awe". It is seen as ground-breaking when reporters risk their lives for ratings, which will ultimately make the station more money. Human beings are innately attracted to violence and it has been evident for thousands of years. What I'm trying to say, is that people are going to tune into war coverage regardless if its ethical or not. People are going to continue playing video games that deal with war because they're entertaining. Movies are going to continue to be made because people pay to see the "reality" of war without becoming active members of it. America was founded upon capitalism, and that is what these companies are doing; making money. Like I said earlier, I am not a proponent of war or invading other peoples' countries for a capitalistic agenda. Should we really blame video games though? These guys are just making games that are relevant to a demographic they are looking to target. In terms of games like "America's Army", if these young males are persuaded to join the military by playing a video game, then so be it. They will soon learn that entering a war-zone and shooting an M16 is nothing like "Call of Duty", but I will be appreciative that they are serving their country, even if they were persuaded by a digital depiction of something that was meant to be entertainment.