Virtual Blood on my Hands

Finding some time to play video games has been therapeutic lately, though I do feel that there is a bit too much virtual blood on my hands.

The last three games that I have submerged myself into have certainly been on the violent side. Assassins Creed II in particular has highlighted the prevalence of such violence. The name gives it away, but for people unaware of the volume of violence a quick summary will suffice. You play an assassin that is free to kill countless people using various types of sharp or bludgeoning weapons. Particularly vicious scenes are slowed down and emphasised by the game mechanics, glorifying in the violence. Of course, I play these games for fun.

But at times it seems like this fun could be negatively affecting me in other ways. The desensitization argument has been frequently trod in recent history and video game legislation. The fact of the matter is that video games frequently encourage us to escape into a fantasy world by encouraging us to take the part of a character. In many cases, these characters commit heinous acts.By proxy we are encouraged to imagine us committing these acts. How can this not have some sort of effect on us?

This violent side is attractive because it is taboo in ordinary life and yet acceptable in games and indeed films. So while we do imagine acts of depravity in these games perhaps it is best that some sort of outlet is used for these human desires. The danger only really comes when a person is unable to distinguish between the rules of a game and the rules of reality. This is exactly the reason that games have certified age ratings. An adult should have a better concept of reality (or at least a better concept of the rules of society) than a child and as such, should be more capable of using this outlet.

While there may be virtual blood on my hands, that realisation allows me to keep my real hands clean.

-The English Student

Snooker - Game or Sport?

With the World Championship beginning, once again the old battle of identifying snooker as a game or sport has emerged.

The label of "game" carries the negative connotations that a certain sport is trivial. This seems to be levelled at snooker for two reasons. Firstly, the lack of physical prowess and stature required for snooker seems to place it outside the realm of sport. However, the skill and intelligence required to form and carry out an intricate snooker strategy must be considered in the same vein. One may not have to train their body, but the honing of the mind required for snooker is the same process in a different sphere.

Secondly, elements of snooker have placed it as a more elitist form of entertainment. While it is true that there is a more calm and reserved atmosphere at a snooker match, this certainly does not make it any less of a sport. The level of control and decorum is indicative of the respect between players, not a heightened level of haughtiness. But this is a false image in any case, with snooker clubs across Europe allowing people to play the sport regardless of social standing.

Overall, snooker has many parallels with sporting events such as tennis and golf and yet does not suffer the frivolity of false labels. If these absurd reasons for labelling snooker as a trivial "game" are placed aside, snooker will finally be able to take its place alongside other great sporting activities. This would expand the sport and encourage greater participation and competition.

When this years contest in The Crucible comes to a close we will have a new World Snooker Champion. I do hope that they will be rightly considered among sporting legends.

-The English Student