Not that it'll happen, but I wish Bioware would take legal action against those who posted harassing comments. Too many people have no inhibitions when it comes to speaking their mind online. The lack of face to face communication makes it too easy for one individual to say something harmful to another, and it would be nice if there was finally a precedent set so people would stop and think "I shouldn't make this comment, not just because it'll make me sound ignorant, but because I could face legal trouble if I do." On a side note, I'm in agreement with her. I see no harm in offering another option to broaden a game's audience. It's not like you'd have to skip the combat sequences, it'd merely be an option. I for one put more emphasis on a game's story than its graphics or mechanics, so this option would be cool.
The sad truth is a huge portion of the parents now don't pay enough attention to their kids and the activities in which they participate. I for one don't think kids should be allowed to purchase violent video games. That's not to say that I believe violent games make violent people, but media affects different people in different ways. I, for one, experience no increase in aggression after playing a violent game. However, I've had friends and family who I've noticed become much more aggressive after watching or playing violent media. Forcing adults to make purchases for minors will help them observe their children's behavior and will allow them to judge whether or not their child is the type of person affected by violence or not. By the way, I have a degree in psychology and have read and even participated in experiments relating to violence in media. P.S. Sorry for original typos, I'm writing on my iPhone.
@novar1999 I've been thinking the same thing. Just because I disapprove of how Sony has handled the situation doesn't mean I don't want them to pull out of it. It is in the best interest of the entire gaming community for there to be healthy competition between innovative companies. It is the competition to be on top that benefits gamers because it brings them better and more entertaining experiences for reasonable costs.
As a side note to all of you fanboys, regardless of which company or console you worship, such a narrow minded outlook has no advantages. Try thinking for yourselves instead of mindlessly following *insert company name here*.
@Zippon You make some valid points, and it looks like we just have a difference of opinion. I must admit that it's refreshing to see critical analysis of the situation regardless of which side of the argument it's from. I can respect a difference in opinion or interpretation of the situation. What I do not respect is the propensity many people on this forum have to either defend or defame Sony just because of their loyalty. I would have the same things to say of any company who handled a situation in similar fashion.
Sony on April 6th: "the massive disasters--and subsequent nuclear crisis--won't affect Sony's original launch scheme for the NGP. 'So far we see no impact from the quake on our launch plan,'" Now they are trying to use the natural disaster that has killed thousands of their countrymen, friends and family as a way to spin the bad PR? It's shameful and an insult to the people who lost their lives and loved ones. They're trying to capitalize on the disaster which is abhorrent in my opinion.
@Zippon As for your statements about the tragedy in Japan, I'm sure you are correct that most people commenting on that statement haven't experienced anything remotely similar. But just because we haven't gone through a disaster like that doesn't make it right for Sony to use the calamity facing their country as an excuse for their poor response to this issue, nor the lack of attention they put towards their network long before the earthquake and tsunami took place. It is an insult to the thousands of people who died in that catastrophe for Sony to even liken this situation to a devastating natural disaster. Families, friends and co-workers have been killed and injured and Sony is trying to use them as an excuse which is inexcusable. Their attempt to spin this PR nightmare with that statement is just going to make them look even worse. Look at their statement just after the quake, when they stated it would not affect the release of the NGP. It didn't seem to be such a big deal to them when it came to releasing a new system, but when it's a convenient scapegoat they jump all over it. This is a real and important issue that transcends fanboyism and shouldn't be looked at from the perspective of console vs. console but as right vs. wrong.
@Zippon Your argument precludes the possibility that there is more than one party at fault here. You won't hear me say that hackers were justified in perpetrating this attack on Sony, but it's complete foolishness to view Sony as blameless in this whole debacle. Their antiquated security measures and poor response time in informing their users of the breach should be cause for concern for anyone who entrusted them with personal information. Whether or not any identity theft has taken place, you as a consumer have a right to privacy and due to their ineptitude Sony has allowed your personal information to be obtained by individuals who have proved to be technologically formidable.
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