Video Games: Ethical Issues faced by Producers and

Consumers
mastersofmedia.hum.uva.nl/blog/2014/09/11/video-games-ethical-issues-faced-by-producers-and-
consumers/
By tomroes September 11,
2014

Video games have been facing various scrutiny

over the years in which certain ethical issues are
questioned over the production and reception of
the media product. Grand Theft Auto V and its
previous sequels, has faced scrutiny over the
questionable game play sequences and the ethical
accountability of the producers’ as well as its
impact on its audience.

Introduction

Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) was released in September 2013 and along with the previous
sequels of the video game, it has been targeted by many critics as a dangerous game. This is
because of most the aspects of the game have been questioned over its availability to
immoral activities and its productions (Rath, 2013). Moreover, it is also questionable on
what the impacts are on the audiences or consumers of the game, due to its graphic
content. This implications of real life situations within the game have been applauded but
yet criticized over the highly abusive language, violence, racism and etc and what it entails
for an individual player and how they may perceive real life.

Ethical Issues

Most video games that are produced in this manner desensitize players, not only to violence
but also towards bad social habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs. In
addition, several critics also point out that it normalizes prostitution and violence against
women (Stokes, 2011). However, there is also the issue that it promotes the stereotypical
roles of gangsters and mobs in society. The production of Grand Theft Auto promoted the
opportunity to act on the dark side of people’s behaviors but also lets the audience
experiment with their curiosity of immoral and unethical aspects of reality.

On the other hand, there are also questions that relate to what impact the producers go
through towards ensuring the ethics in producing a video game. Many game developers
face the issue, like many other artists of other art, in which they have the right to freedom of
speech and creativity and also balancing that with the effect it may have on the consumers

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(Takahashi, 2014). This also shows that producers feel that their audiences are active
consumers and that they are aware of the actions within a virtual reality is not the same as
the real world.

Hence, consumers and produces both face ethical issues when it comes to the video game.
However, although there are a lot of negative images portrayed in GTA V, consumers
understand the difference between reality and fantasy. This is what is considered as fans
being active consumers rather than passive. Thus, it is important to acknowledge the
individual rather than the whole, when it comes to the actions some consumers may have
on reality after playing a video game. Many video games are under scrutiny due to many
consumers who become fans of a media product, go out in public and commit several
crimes such as school shootings, vandalism etc (Sandvoss, 2005). These are all based on the
different social and cultural upbringings of various individuals. Producers are also affected
by critics on what content they decide to publish. Although creativity and freedom of speech
are rights to every artist, producers have to take into account that they are distributing a
video game that goes international and not every society will appreciate certain aspects of it
due to cultural differences. Creativity should not be limited by any boundaries but when it
comes to producing something as big as GTA, there is a responsibility on both parties.

Conclusion

It is important to acknowledge producers and consumers when it comes to criticizing certain

ethical issues of a video game. As discussed, consumers act on immoral or moral judgments
within the game due to their social upbringing and cultural background, because what is
seen normal in one society may not be so in another. Producers face a lot of questions, but
as creators it is within their right to portray or express themselves, freedom of expression.
It is understandable, that culture and society affect the way producers create an object and
also the way audiences or consumers perceive it. GTA may seem controversial in some
parts of the world, while in others, it may not.

References:

Rath, Robert . “GTA’s Morality Is More Complex Than You Realize.” The Escapist. 2013. 07
September 2014 < http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-
games/columns/criticalintel/10607-GTA-s-Morality-Is-More-Complex-Than-You-Realize >

Sandvoss, Cornel. Fans: the mirror of consumption. Oxford: Polity, 2005. Print.

Stokes. “Grand Theft Auto and the Problem of Evil.” Overthinking It. 2011. Web. 7 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.overthinkingit.com/2011/03/03/grand-theft-auto-evil/>

Takahashi, Dean. “Ethics of Game Design.” Gamasutra – Ethics Of Game Design. 2014. Web.
7 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/130594/ethics_of_game_design.php?print=1 >
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