Video game violence (Specifically against the Police)

[J-Do]

Apologies for the very broad topic name, but I couldn't think of anything else, anyway, to my point...

Recently, I've been thinking about the whole violence in games thing, and I came across something that really disturbed me: Killing police officers in Video games. Now before I start, let me just say that I may come across as somewhat biased, as I am currently trying to join the Police, so there'd that.
I just think it's wrong to encourage a player to kill a Police Officer (Even a virtual one) as fundamentally these are people who put themselves in harms way to protect the innocent (or the virtual innocent). I have two examples that got to me the most:

1) The opening of Saints Row 2, in which you escape from prison and shoot down dozens of Police officers who are trying to keep two highly dangerous criminals locked up and safely away from the innocent. (I know Saints Row as a series is VERY OTT and isn't exactly trying to depict a realistic world, but I think the point still stands.)

2) The heist mission in GTA IV, where you rob a bank and then make your escape, again gunning down dozens of Police Officers. This I feel is more relevant as GTA IV seems to want to be taken more seriously than Saints Row.

I know there are many other instances in games, but I chose these two in particular, as they are the only ones I am aware of where the player is FORCED to murder Police Officers in order for the story to progress. I find this really disturbing. O.K, Saints Row is just trying to be some crazy fun, but is it fun to kill people who are just doing their job?
Grand Theft Auto, on the other hand, frequently tries to make us sympathize with Nico, but how can you sympathies with a man (who even within the context of the story) kills innocent Police officers? I know this point has been brought up frequently, but I find it worthwhile repeating.

I don't mean to be biased against games (I loved Saints Row 2, although now, slightly less. And GTA IV was not bad) but for the life of me I can't think of any films or books in which we are supposed to admire or sympathize with Cop killers, not to say there isn't any, just none I can think of at this moment.

I'm also going on about the Police thing as again, I'm not aware of any games where you are FORCED to kill innocent civilians. Even in the infamous "No Russian" mission from Modern Warfare 2, it's possible to go through the airport without shooting anyone (that's what I did) except the Police, but I'm giving that a pass as we were supposed to be shocked and there was a sense of "for the greater good". (That's terrible wording, but I hope you understand what I mean .)

Anyway, that's my rather lengthy rant over, so what are your thoughts?

 

[Najos]

I don't understand why shooting police is worse than shooting...well, anyone? Also, there are a lot of movies that ask watchers to sympathize with cop killers. Just about any heist movie, for instance. Natural Born Killers also comes to mind.

Anyway, why is the argument against killing cops in video games any stronger than the argument against killing in video games? What makes cops better or more deserving of life?

 

[Vault Citizen]

I disagree. Shooting a police officer wouldn't be the worst thing I've done in a video game and it doesn't affect or have any baring on my views towards the police in real life. Take Heavy Rain as an example, in that game I shot someone to save a cop even though growing up my favourite part of GTA was running over police cars in a tank. Video games and other media have explored and sympathised with far worse characters, it is a legitimate avenue of story telling and I see not reason to cordon it off.

 

[Blunderboy]

Surely if anything I should feel less guilty about my killing of a highly trained and armed pretend person, as opposed to an unarmed civilian pretend person?

 

[kebab4you]

Either it´s okey to kill everyone or no one, why should the cops be singled out as the ones you should not shoot?

 

[KarmaTheAlligator]

The job of any and all NPCs in video games is to help you have fun. If it's fun to shoot them, I don't have a problem with doing so. And I don't feel guilty about shooting law representatives or even firemen (my brother is one) any more than I feel guilty shooting the obvious bad guys.

That's where the ability to discern between reality and fiction comes in handy.

 

[J-Do]

Anyway, why is the argument against killing cops in video games any stronger than the argument against killing in video games? What makes cops better or more deserving of life?

I don't think cops are more deserving of life at all, but the vast majority of other games; army shooters, alien invaders, Orcs and elves, zombies etc. you are mainly in a kill or be killed situation. In my examples, not so. The Police aren't there to kill the player, but to subdue them and send them back to prison. I understand that the character will probably have the whole "I'll die before I go to jail" thing going on, so killing police officers is obviously an extreme length to go to. But I do feel that the type of crime is glamourised in these games, Saints Row especially (Whilst writing the first post, I completely forgot the ending of GTA IV which is significant to this discussion so I admit to rushing in without thinking that one through.
I guess my main issue then is Saints Row, unless of course, at the end of the games we see that your character does in the end suffer for his actions.

Now I suppose I'm drifting on to galmourising crime in general, which is something I hate, I suppose a better topic would be "things that disturb you in games". It was just something I've been thinking about the last couple of days.

 

[Something Amyss]

Double Post.

Huh.

This WAS a double post, so I edited the first one, and go to the page, and it's gone.

Bottom line of the argument is you're playing games where you're bad guys. If that's a problem, don't. However, I find killing civilians more disturbing because they're not likely to be real antagonists. Unlike the police.

Further, if this glorifies cop killing, then games glorify violence, we're all monsters, and Fox News is right.

 

[J-Do]

Man, it's funny how a few well made points and a little thinking time can totally change your mind on something.

Half an hour ago I thought I had a really good point, but now I see that all I did was spout an absolute power of shit.

Saints Row glorifying violence. How did I not piece together this is the very same game that lets you run around in a flashers coat and spray people with shit. I got so caught up in my lawful righteousness that I didn't stop to think hang on, this game is practically 100% satire.

I would like to retract my argument basically, and apologize for being a total idiot. The "games are evil" crew are clearly getting into my mind, so excuse me while I go actually play these games again before I go about slandering them.

Again, apologies for the waste of time and thread, well played guys.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I have a question for you, OP: What do you think about games that require you to kill soldiers from another country's regular army -- not terrorists, not clear antagonists, just the other side in a conflict? Think about Battlefield 2. There wasn't really a clear cause given for the war you're fighting -- the Middle East Coalition or the Chinese army could just as easily be the "good guys" as the US or the European Union, or it could be a World War I types situation, where there really were no good guys, just a lot of countries vying for dominance. I know it's not quite the same, because in a war-zone it's pretty much expected that soldiers will be killing each other, but do soldiers not deserve at least as much respect as the police?

Edit: And the OP retracted his position while I was writing this. Well played, Escapist.

Edit Edit: Yes, I know, 20 minute gap. I had to leave the computer for a while between opening the thread and responding. I probably should have pressed F5 before posting.

 

[Machocruz]

The universe is indifferent to man-made laws or notions of guilty vs. innocent. A being wants its freedom, and is given the will to do what it must to attain it. That's the risk a person or group runs for taking it upon themselves to control others, whether for good or evil.