For those of you who don’t know, mods are user-created add-ons for (typically) commercial video games. Game companies support these because they lengthen the life-span and increase the value of their games.
The article addressed the fact that these mods were often very violent and, more importantly, often created by kids. Various parent groups were trying to put the lid on them, etc, etc, etc�we all know this drill.
Initially, I didn’t think much of it. Parent groups have been tooting their horns about every little piece of skin shown lately, be it barely hid by lacy clothing or sprayed against the wall.
The more I thought about it, the more it upset me. There are some very key issues here that need to be looked at:
1. Making these mods is no small task. They take weeks and months of work with some rather high- level programming and graphics work. If my 16 year old son were able to create some of the mods I’ve played that were created by other 16 year olds, I would be very, very proud of him. It takes a special kind of dedication (almost zero user mods ever make money) and skill set to make a working mod. This kind of ability and initiative should not be dissuaded.
2. Who the hell are these groups to tell me what’s good and not good for my children? If I want to know what my kids are playing, I’ll find out. If I don’t like it, I won’t let them. Don’t put computers in their room if you’re that scared of what they’ll come across. The problem is so many of today’s parents are letting their kids be raised by the television and internet. This is a real shame, but that doesn’t mean the rest of us have to make sure it’s squeaky clean.
3. (Insert censorship argument here. [You know the drill])
At one point in the article David Walsh was quoted as saying underage mod makers are the “moral equivalent of child pornographers.” I can hardly think of a worse insult and slap in the face to the extremely talented and intelligent teenagers who make these mods.
I’ve been playing violent games since I was 5 years old. I’ve probably killed hundreds of thousands of computer-generated opponents and gotten big ol’ chuckles at all the blood I’ve slopped across the walls. My real life body count, I’m proud to say, is still zero.