Video Game Labels a Joke
John Douglas was highlighted in an article on One News Now.
Check it out here.
John Douglas television interview
John Douglas was recently interviewed on Cornerstone TV about video game violence. He also took the opportunity to share about our animated project Sara and the Starfish.
Radio Interview
John Douglas was interviewed on the Drew Marshall show. Here is a link to the audio from that interview: http://www.drewmarshall.ca/listen2008.html#080216
Articles about video game violence
The following links will provide you with some insight into the nature of the problem associated with violent and addictive video games.
Violent Video Games Effects on Youth
Review of Research Shows that Playing Violent Video Games Can Heighten Aggression
ESRB Ratings for Dummies
San Diego, CA–On November 19, 2007, Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Evan Bayh (D-IN), and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) called for a thorough review of the video-game ratings process in the wake of “Manhunt 2″ receiving a “Mature” rating. The game originally received an A/O rating (Adults Only) from the ESRB (Entertainment Software Review Board) which was amended shortly thereafter to an “M” rating (Mature), making the game accessible to children all across the country (according to an FTC report, 42 percent of unaccompanied children 13 to 16 years of age can still successfully purchase M-rated games).
Harris Interactive Research
50% of Children 8-10 have played M Rated video games.
79% of Teens have played M Rated video games.
50% of Children can purchase M Rated games.
72% of Parents understand little or nothing about ESRB ratings (54% understand television ratings while only 27% understand ESRB ratings.) 7 to 10 Parents know little or nothing about ESRB ratings.
Sara and the Starfish given Dove seal of approval.
Sara and the Starfish has been given the honor of five doves by the Dove Foundation. Read the great review here: Dove Foundation review of Sara and the Starfish
Are Video Games Killing our Youth?
By John T. Douglas
On Wednesday, November 7, 2007, an 18-year-old gunman opened fire at his high school in Tuusula, Finland killing seven other students and the principal before mortally wounding himself. It was a nightmarish scenario that has become all too familiar in this day and age, one of utter, unthinkable chaos. And it is a scenario that I have personally experienced and seen play out countless times before – in video games.
For the past two decades, I have earned a living as a technical writer in the video game industry, playing over 7,000 games in every conceivable genre including sports, role-playing adventures, puzzles, fighting games, simulations, party games and shooters. During that time I have seen the business grow from a small fledgling industry to the multi-billion dollar enterprise it is today and 2D graphics be phased out and replaced by 3D images so realistic you can barely distinguish them from a photograph. I have also witnessed a disturbing trend of ever-increasing levels of gratuitous violence, profanity, sex and occult themes within the marketplace. How bad is it? Let me put it this way. I spent seven years in law enforcement during which time I witnessed grisly crime scenes and gruesome accidents that look pale by comparison when measured against many of the things I have seen in video games.