Hunting Video Games
Posted by dihardhunter on July 6, 2009
(not necessarily picking on this game…)
I thought this was a great little article written by my former advisor at NC State on the message that many hunting video games are sending to children and inexperienced hunters particularly.
Follow the link to see for yourself.
By the way, I’ll still play my deer hunting games from time to time.
[...] MINC wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt(not necessarily picking on this game…) I thought this was a great little article written by my former advisor at NC State on the message that many hunting video games are sending to children and inexperienced hunters particularly. … [...]
July 6th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
For the most part, I agree with the approach taken in the article, of explaining to the child why the video game was not realistic. Personally, I think that’s the key responsibility of any parent when they allow their child to play any video game or watch any television program or movie. Help them understand that it’s not like real life.
But at the same time, let’s keep a realistic perspective.
Video games are NOT SUPPOSED TO BE like real life. If they were, they wouldn’t sell very well. I’ve tested and reviewed several hunting games, and without exception, those that make the hunt anything at all like the real thing do not last long… they’re boring. You can only spend so long sitting in a virtual tree stand, staring at a pixelated woodland scene… or walking along through simulated mountain trails. There’d better be something to see or shoot soon, or the player will turn the game off and get something else.
Video gaming is about action of one kind or another. Hunting is about patience, waiting, and enjoying the things that go on in the environment around you while you’re out there. Even the better hunting games, like “The Hunter“, have to hype up the action to keep the players in the game.
On a related, but side note, I’m totally in agreement that the over-emphasis on “trophy” deer is a danger to the overall management goals. It’s traditionally been a challenge to get hunters to shoot does. The continued focus on big “horns” is sending the wrong message to hunters.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:32 am