Video games provide unique opportunities and methods to escape the toils of daily life. There are no 9-to-5 gigs, no bills due at the end of the month, and certainly no drama. The stories, characters, and gameplay are time sinks. Pretty harmless, too. And yet, each month, someone new tries to claim violent video games are the cause for violent crimes, including killing people. Countless research studies have concluded that violent video games, in fact, do not breed criminals. These individuals are already wired wrong. Something inside their brain has come loose. Video games are simply their favorite hobby. Like most of us these days.
These crimes, albeit inspired or caused by video games, are on the people who committed them. No one else. Not the game developers, publishers, or advertisements. These people actively chose to ignore real-life consequences in the pursuit of the next level or achievement. It’s disheartening to see the industry under such scrutiny.
Video game software covers 34.5% of the average annual expenditure on video games per consumer unit in the U.S. While video game hardware and accessories covers the rest of the 65.5% of the share. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017) 22% of gamers in the United States purchased video games through Steam. (Statista, 2017).
Whether it’s Grand Theft Auto or Manhunt, in-game depictions are just that, in-game. They’re not real-life learning tools. This isn’t an online course in how to slaughter the masses. They’re meant to be entertainment… escapism. Nothing more than that. If you’ve ever thought about trying to steal a car because Franklin does it on a whim, think again. Think long and hard about it. The results are often life-changing for all those involved.
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15 Wrong Way To Circumvent A Ban
In 2008, during the height of Halo’s popularity, many teenagers were addicted to the competitive multiplayer modes. Daniel Petric was one such teen. His parents, however, weren’t too keen on their young son enjoying violent video games, such as Halo 3. Daniel took things to the extreme. Upon being barred from the game, he shot both his parents–killing his mother.
Petric, 17, was arrested on charges of killing and attempted killing. He was tried without a jury in Lorain County. Prosecutors were not seeking the death sentence, though, stating his youthful age as cause to avoid the death penalty.
On October 20, 2007, Daniel stole his father’s safe key, opening the lock box that held both the gun and his new game. He took both, using the firearm to shoot his parents before running from the house.
14 New South Wales Crime Spree, Or Video Game Recreation?
According to video game’s toughest critics, we, as players, are rewarded extensively for mercilessly slaughtering innocents, committing a virtual crime, running rampant. Again, this is all virtual. Countless studies have proven a lack of correlation between video games and violent behavior. The behaviorism often ingrained before the video games.
In 2012, throughout New South Wales, a group of teens took to the streets to commit a crime. Countless reports of killing, theft, and even assault was widespread. According to the state, these crimes were deemed acceptable by the country’s youth. The reason? Video games. The police commissioner entirely blamed video games for the rampant crime spree. Not a single perpetrator admitted that violent video games caused their criminal activity, though. This could be another case of mistaken blame.
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13 We’re Up All Night To Commit Crime
In 2008, six teens spent a day in court after their all-night crime spree, which lasted into the early morning hours of the next day. The six perpetrators are said to have committed muggings, armed robbery, vandalism, and assault. Each one was equipped with a weapon of their own choosing–baseball bats and crowbars. According to Detective Sergeant Anthony Repalone, a Nassau police spokesman, the teens all but admitted to recreating Grand Theft Auto. Police treated the crime as a recreation of the violent video game.
Of course, this is not the first time Grand Theft Auto is often accused of promoting violence and crime. The game, which centers around criminal activities, has a long-standing history of defending itself from the eyes of the law. It’ll be tough to claim GTA caused these incidents, and more so for future crime sprees, too.
12 Grounded, But At What Cost?
In March of 2013, Nathon Brooks was found guilty of shooting both his parents. Brooks received more than 15 years in prison for the crime. At the time, he was 16-years-old and hailed from Moses Lake. Both parents requested lesser charges, to which Deputy Prosecutor Kevin McCrae agreed. He declined their further request to remain in juvenile court, however. As such, Brooks pleaded guilty in Grant County Superior Court to two counts of first-degree assault.
The reason? Brooks was upset over his parents’ recent decision to ground him from all electronic devices. They even took his video games. Earlier that week, he had received detention for being late to school. He then opened the gun safe, grabbed the nearest pistol, waiting in his room for 90 minutes, then shot both.
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11 Forever In Infamy
Adam Lanza is, perhaps, the most well-known of recent real-life crimes inspired by violent video games. Lanza, on December 14, 2012, walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. He then shot and killed 20 first-graders and six adults. He is believed to have killed his mother that very morning. On the same day, he would take his own life by gunshot.
Violent video games are said to have inspired Lanza's crime spree. He was a frequent first-person shooter fan, known for enjoying Call of Duty for hours on end. While he did not own a firearm license, he had extensive training using one due to range time. The boy was said to be mentally disturbed, suffering from a variety of mental health issues.
10 Training Camp Or Competitive Franchise?
Call of Duty is one of the most popular video game franchises in the entire world. Not just in the first-person shooter genre. The entire industry. It is a violent, graphic, gun-filled entry, but a popular one amongst teens seeking an after-school romp. For Anders Behring Breivik, a Norwegian extremist, the game was a training camp.
In 2011, Breivik was convicted of killing 77 people in a bomb and firearm rampage. His attacks are considered the most violent outrage since World War II. Despite the massive number of bodies left in his wake, Breivik received 21 years in prison. He was convicted of terrorism in 2012. During the trial, Breivik discussed his “training” using holographic sights in Call of Duty. The 33-year-old would practice his shots using an aimed sight in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
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9 Maximizing Score Points
On December 1, 1997, fourteen-year-old Michael Carneal opened fire on a group of praying students at Heath High School in West Paducah, Kentucky. During his spree, he killed three and injured another five. Armed with a shotgun and a rifle, and multiple loaded pistols in his backpack. Upon arrival, Carneal inserted ear plugs, stood still, and opened fire. After dropping his gun, Carneal begged for someone to kill him, saying “I can’t believe I did that.”
The parents of three victims, represented by Jack Thompson, filed a $33 million lawsuit against internet pornography websites, computer game developers and publishers, the film Natural Born Killers, and The Basketball Diaries. They claimed these forms of media helped inspire Carneal to violence. It is said that Carneal fired each shot carefully, hoping not to waste bullets during the incident.
8 Doomed Forever
“I didn’t realize they would die.” These are the words uttered by Evan Ramsey after his carnage at Bethel, Alaska. On February 19, 1997, with a 12-gauge shotgun braced against his shoulder, Evan Ramsey, 16, opened fire on his classmates. When it was over, one student and the school principal lay dead.
Speaking with ABC News, Ramsey said ‘I honestly believed that if you shoot somebody, that they would get back up.’ He is now serving a 210-year sentence for his crimes. Apparently, Ramsey adored the Doom franchise. He would play it after school regularly. The boy was frequently picked on by classmates, who would call him “Screech.” He was also abused as a young boy. Doom, one of the originators of first-person shooters, was his escape.
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7 Raising The Wrong People
World of Warcraft remains the most prominent massively-multiplayer online role-playing games. More players have become obsessed with the game than any other title in the industry. One couple, Lester Louis and Petra Huffmire, both 41, took their addiction too far.
The Huffmires, who were parents to 5-year-old and 10-year-old daughters, respectively, would play World of Warcraft for hours each day between May 2010 and May 2013. The two girls were not allowed to leave the house, which was torn apart and strewed with molding debris. The environment included mold, cobwebs, stacks of trash, debris, and inoperable toilets. Neither girl went to school. While conducting a welfare check, Anaheim Police discovered the two girls malnourished, both with damaged teeth and dirt caking their skin. All so the parents could level their characters.
6 Suffocated Game Time
Cody Eugene Wygant, 24, was charged with third-degree killing and willful child neglect after confessing to suffocating his young son. The child, who was crying during Wygant’s gaming session, prevented the man from enjoying his Xbox. He was then thrown into a playpen and smothered by blankets for five hours.
When emergency services arrived at the home, the sixteen-month-old, Daymeon Wygant, wasn’t breathing. The child was pronounced dead at the local hospital, according to investigators. Wygant claims he was frustrated due to the child refusing to stop crying, preventing him from enjoying his games. He covered the young child’s mouth for three to four minutes, then became lethargic. He put him in the playpen, covered him in blankets, which were wrapped around the boy’s head, then returned to his game.
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5 Axing Too Much Of Him
What began as a simple argument between two brothers turned medieval. Apparently, the two were fighting over equal gaming time. Anyone who has shared a console with their sibling understands the need for such an argument. Few of us turn violent, however.
19-year-old Luke Marshall scooped up a double-bladed medieval axe (where did he get that from?) and attacked his older brother, who was 21 at the time. Luke allegedly struck the older boy in the foot and wrist, incurring minor wounds. Ultimately, the Luke was charged with second-degree assault, the use of a weapon to commit a felony, and terroristic threats. What should have begun and ended as a mere argument between brothers turned into a crime with police involvement.
4 Who Said Raising Kids Is Hard?
In 2010, South Korean police responded to a neglect case. The arriving officers arrested a young couple who were accused of starving their three-month-old daughter to death. The two “parents” in question chose to raise a virtual character instead while playing their online games. The 41-year-old man and 25-year-old woman, who met through an online chat website, reportedly left the child unattended while they visited nearby internet cafes. They would occasionally return home to give the girl powdered milk, but nothing else.
The game? Prius Online. The title is similar to that of Second Life. Players could create an alternate reality, with their own personas, jobs, and families. These families were, apparently, quite lifelike in appearance and behavior. According to police, the couple simply lost their will to live an actual life, instead choosing that of an easier virtual world.
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3 Don’t Try This At Home
On August 20, 2014, police were called to detain two individuals who were witnessed brandishing a firearm in the streets of Lansdale, Pennsylvania. A nearby witnessed, terrified for the neighborhood, called for emergency services shortly after seeing the two men. The firearm, which turned out to be a replica handgun, was used to recreate a particular scene from Grand Theft Auto. The two were apparently in love with the latest release and wanted a bit more entertainment from their new game.
The police promptly responded to the call, arriving at the scene to speak with the witness only moments later. The two perpetrators in question had already fled the scene, though a further investigation was already underway. The only witnessed described one of the men. The two were later detained, questioned, and charged with disorderly conduct. The firearm was, after all, only an airsoft pistol.
2 The Most Dangerous Game Of All
In September of 2004, one 17-year-old received a life sentence after abducting and beating his friend to death. The reason for the crime? He had been enjoying the game Manhunt, notorious for its violence, and was hoping to recreate the activities seen in-game. The boy’s parents claimed his obsession with violent video games, including Manhunt, were linked to the attacks. At the time, a lot of publicity surrounded the crime and the video game, which numerous countries have banned due to its graphic depictions of killing.
The defense claimed the boy acted out of fear from a gang he owed money to. It does not explain why he attacked and killed his friend so mercilessly, though. The victim endured 50 separate injuries to his body.
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1 Game Over
We’ve previously discussed how “dangerous” and “violent” Grand Theft Auto makes people. A few individuals, ones with previous mental instability, have decided to recreate their in-game crimes in real life. Auburn University’s Zachary Burgess was one such individual.
Burgess, who was hoping to see whether Grand Theft Auto “antics” were fun in real life, stole a parked truck while the passenger inside cried out for help. The female passenger was “forcibly held” in the vehicle. After taking the vehicle, Burgess struck nine other cars, driving off each time. He faced charges of auto theft and nine counts of hit and run. He was immediately arrested but managed to post bail shortly after. Burgess learned that video games are fun, but they’re not real life. There are consequences to every action.
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A Bug's Life (video game)
Developer
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment (PS)
Disney Interactive (PC)
THQ (GBC)
Activision (N64)
Disney Interactive (PC)
THQ (GBC)
Activision (N64)
Video Game Serial Number 70870
Platform(s)
PlayStation
Microsoft Windows
Game Boy Color
Nintendo 64
Microsoft Windows
Game Boy Color
Nintendo 64
Released
PlayStation
NA November 18, 1998
EU February 1999
JP October 28, 1999
PAL September 30, 2009
NA July 27, 2010 (PSN)
Microsoft Windows
NA November 18, 1998
EU 1999
Game Boy Color
NA December 1998
EU 1999
Nintendo 64
NA April 30, 1999
EU January 1, 1999
NA November 18, 1998
EU February 1999
JP October 28, 1999
PAL September 30, 2009
NA July 27, 2010 (PSN)
Microsoft Windows
NA November 18, 1998
EU 1999
Game Boy Color
NA December 1998
EU 1999
Nintendo 64
NA April 30, 1999
EU January 1, 1999
Genre
Ratings
A Bug's Life is a video game based on the Disney·Pixarfilm of the same name. It was released for various systems between 1998 and 1999. The game's storyline is similar to that of the movie, with a few changes. After completing levels the player can unlock real clips from the movie. A Game.com version was cancelled.
Though the film was Roddy McDowall's final theatrical performance, the game was his final work overall before his passing.
Gameplay
Serial Number
A Bug's Life is a platform game with different goals in each of 15 levels. Most of the goals deal with getting the main character, Flik, to do events that match the storyline of the movie. When the player finishes a level, that player can proceed to the next level. Each new level starts with a new short animation from the movie. If the player collects all of the bonus items in a level, that player gets a bonus movie. Bonus items include 50 pieces of grain, four letters that spell F-L-I-K (like the Tarzan N64 game) and permanently finishing off each enemy bug. To guide the player through the levels there are little floating telescopes that will show the player areas to go to.
Throughout each level are a variety of types of seeds. Some seeds are partially buried in the ground. These seeds can be transformed by Flik into a specific kind of plant that can help him solve problems within the levels. Flik can increase the number of plants he can grow by collecting colored tokens scattered throughout the levels, with a token's color determining what type of plant can be grown with it. Some levels also included Flik's harvesting invention (hidden somewhere in the level) which can be used to collect grain and kill off enemy bugs.
Obtainable throughout all the levels are a series of berries which can be thrown at enemies in order to kill them. How long the enemies stay dead, once hit, depends on the kind of berry Flik throws at it.
RED BERRY These are the weakest berries, and the berries that the player starts off with. These berries will destroy most of Flik's enemies after several repeated blows. The red berry is useless against grasshoppers. Enemies that are killed with the red berry disappear temporarily.
SUPER BERRY The superberry is a blue berry, and the next most-powerful berry. It has all the same properties of a red berry, except for two things. One, the player needs to find and collect it, in order to use it. Two, the super berry will kill every kind of enemy in the game, including grasshoppers, if enough of the berries are thrown at them. Enemies that are killed with the super berry disappear temporarily.
HOMING BERRY The homing berry is green, and the third most-powerful berry. Like the super berry, it is strong enough to kill any enemy that enough of the berry is thrown at. The difference, though, is that the homing berry will lock in on the nearest enemy once it is thrown. For this reason, the homing berry is effective for attacking enemies at longer distances than the super berry and red berry. If the distance from Flik and the nearest foe is too far, the homing berry won't be able to find the enemy when it is thrown. Enemies that are killed with the homing berry disappear temporarily.
MEGA HOMING BERRY The mega homing berry is purple, and the second most-powerful berry in the game. It homes in on the nearest enemies, when thrown, just like the green homing berry, but the mega homing berry can do so more accurately, and at a much farther distance than the homing berry can. With the mega homing berry, a hit is guaranteed. Enemies that are killed with the mega homing berry disappear temporarily.
GOLD BERRY The gold berry is the most powerful berry in the game. It lacks the ability to home in on its foes when thrown like the green and purple berries. When collected, a ration appears at the bottom of the screen which shows the number 0 over how many enemies there are in the level (ex: Anthill: 0/21). The player is, then, expected to proceed to destroying all the enemies in the level. This is optional. Enemies that are killed with the gold berry disappear forever.
The player starts out each level with the red berry, and so, there is no way to collect it. With one exception, however: In the boss stage with Molt, other ants throw red berries at you, attempting to aid you in your fight. This, of course, is detrimental to your task, because red berries can not kill Molt, as he is a grasshopper. There are only two ways to collect the super berry, homing berry, mega homing berry, and gold berry: (1) by finding the actual berry somewhere in the level or (2) collecting purple tokens, turning a seed purple, cracking it open, and obtaining the resulting berry that way. The player requires one purple token to obtain a super berry from seed, two purple tokens to obtain a homing berry, three purple tokens to obtain a mega homing berry, and four purple tokens to obtain a gold berry. Some levels do not contain certain berries, and so, the only way to get those berries, then, is to collect enough purple tokens to get that berry from a seed.
Pc Games Serial Numbers
There is a way to obtain, not the gold berry itself, but something equivalent to the gold berry. Flik's grain machine is present in certain levels. If the player finds the machine and puts it on, the machine, if it touches any enemy, will destroy them forever, and count their death toward the score they would have if they had obtained a gold berry. The machine is also handy in collecting grain at distant ranges. When Flik is in the machine, he can't jump.
Several bosses are encountered during the game:
- Thumper
- The Bird
- Thud
- Molt
- Hopper
Characters
Enemies
Video Game Serial Number
- Spiders
- Mosquitoes
- Flies
- Cockroaches
- Wasps
- Mites
- Grubs
- Earthworms
- Centipedes
- Dragonflies
- Earthworms
- Armour Plated Beetles
- Daddy Long Legs
Reception
The PlayStation version of A Bug's Life received poor reviews. IGN gave it a 4/10 score, criticizing the gameplay as slow and awkward but praising the presentation as cinematic.GameSpot gave the game a 2.7/10, cocnluding that it was 'obvious that Disney was more interested in producing a $40 advertisement for its movie than in developing a playable game.' The Nintendo 64 version received a more positive reception. IGN gave it a score of 6.8/10 overall, praising the presentation and sound by stating 'It was upbeat, cheery look and feel very much like the movie of the same name with cheery, happy tunes and strong sound effects but again criticised the gameplay by saying the controls were sluggish with stuttering framerate and tired gameplay mechanics'.
This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The article or pieces of the original article was at A Bug's Life (video game). The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Disney Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License. |
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