Contraversial issue needed

[epikAXE]

Hey im doing a Discursive essay in my English language course and I need a contraversial issue to write about (possibly game related*). I just need a few ideas to get me started, im really stumped on this one. It needs to be a meaty topic of course (3-4 sides of A4) so can the good Escapists help me out?

*My friend is doing violence in videogames, so thats a no go

NOTE: Im not asking you to write the essay for me just expose an issue i could possibly write about

 

[tigermilk]

Sex/sexual assault in games? As is Mass Effect 2, Rapelay these two illustrate the difference between consentual "sex" and rape in computer games.

 

[-Drifter-]

The concept of good and evil and how it differs between cultures and even individuals.

 

[EllEzDee]

Hot Coffee mod of GTA:SA.
Alien sex scenes in Mass Effect.
Black zombies in RE5 (the spaniard slaughter and stereotypical Louis of RE4 aren't controversial)
Depiction of native Americans in video games, eg, Gun got its arse handed around for having Apaches who scalp people...

 

[RaphaelsRedemption]

DRM, sexuality as portrayed by videogames, videogame regulation, gender equality as portrayed by videogames...

Those are a few of the more obvious ones that spring to mind...

 

[Juven Ignus]

Abortion or gay marriage. You win in controversy.

 

[darth.pixie]

The only ones I can think of are controversies over sexual content or racism. Hm..theft could work if you stretch it a bit. All RPG PCs do it anyway.

 

[tigermilk]

There have been some interesting articles written on representations of race (specifically of being black/African-American descent) in computer games. Final Fantasy VII and Japanese representations of black men as embodying masculinity, violence and weaponry.

 

[epikAXE]

Hot Coffee mod of GTA:SA.
Alien sex scenes in Mass Effect.
Black zombies in RE5 (the spaniard slaughter and stereotypical Louis of RE4 aren't controversial)
Depiction of native Americans in video games, eg, Gun got its arse handed around for having Apaches who scalp people...

I like the racism one, I could mabe do Ethnic/Racial diversity... thank you for the brain food...

 

[hittite]

The concept of good and evil and how it differs between cultures and even individuals.

You know, I did have some ideas, but they're all instantly trumped by this one. Seconded.

 

[Da Chi]

Talk about the impact of gaming on society. It could begin with it's humble beginnings as a arcade pass-time, to a globally enjoyed hobby. Think about it.

 

[beniki]

Marmite.

Then again, you need a meaty topic, so I'd go for cannibalism.

But if you want a really good topic, you could discuss the blatant racism that has cropped up in the gaming industry. There has not been a single game with a frog lead since Frogger, and they have since been relegated to supporting roles. The best selling MMO to date casts a frog-like mob as one of the most ubiquitous enemies, and paints them in a savage, uncultured and violent light. Those poor murlocks.

So for your essay, I recommend writing about 'The Use of Marmite in Frog's Legs Recipes Amongst the Murlock Tribes of Azeroth.'

 

[Thaluikhain]

Hmmm...the effect on the gaming industry being primarily targeted at straight white males?

 

[badgersprite]

How standards of what is acceptable differ between different media, or depending on who is involved. For example, a non-explicit gay sex scene will frequently get a movie a higher rating than a more explicit heterosexual sex scene. Also, sexual or violent material in video games or animation can cause a huge uproar and get them banned when similar content in movies or live action television causes no one to bat an eye.

So, yeah, basically just take a look at This Film Is Not Yet Rated/Who Censored Roger Rabbit and there's your issue.

 

[Lukeje]

The concept of good and evil and how it differs between cultures and even individuals.

Or you could more specifically look at religion in games.

 

[Altorin]

Sex/sexual assault in games? As is Mass Effect 2, Rapelay these two illustrate the difference between consentual "sex" and rape in computer games.

if you even look at rapelay, it's actually not a good example of non-consensual sex, or at least a realistic example.

There are games out there that actually show rape, and they're in the same sort of genre as RapeLay, but RapeLay itself.. the girls in that game, if that were to happen to them, there is NO WAY the "assailants" would be convicted of rape.

 

[warprincenataku]

Over-Sexualization in Video Games. Stereotypes in video games. Portrayal of women in video games. The use of real weapons and tactics in video games that are used by the military and how it might affect our troops in real confrontations.

 

[MassiveGeek]

The legalization of prostitution?

Not game related, but, meh.

 

[rabidmidget]

You could discuss the pros and cons of affirmitive action, such as the fact that some fire stations are forced to hire at least one female, despite the fact that being a fireman (fireperson?) requires a great deal of physical strength (example: carrying people out of fires) that most women don't possess.

 

[Mr Pantomime]

The role of Ninjas in todays society. Its actually really interesting if you think about it. You can set it up as a metaphor for how violence is no longer a big part of our lives, and what place warriors have right now.