Meet the President
Hello! My name is Douglas M. Atkinson. I started this design company for me; not only for hopeful financial success, but to design games that I want to play! These games, and I cannot stress this enough, are not for everyone! My target audience is to be other adults from 21 and up. Those sick and twisted gamer souls. Those ill-represented and gratefully ignored wretches of man. The dark sinner in the heart of the timid, and the devil at the heart of each saint. I give unto the world chicken noodle soup for the demon soul! I outline my strategy, and the intent of iZ games below. As well as face the criticism of violent media. Of course, you must know, I have the best of intensions.
The Arguement for Violent Media
In this day and age, video games orviolent media
, as the politicians refer to it, has come under scrutiny. As has so many controversial forms of media in the past, such as: Books, Rock and Roll, Rap, Movies, TV, and generally free thought that isn't understood by the masses. I will address the main issues as I see it.
- Psychological studies have proven the link between violent video games and violent behaivior.
- With tragedies such as Columbine and Virginia Tech, popular politicians have championed the cause to regulate
violent media.
. - Video games are for kids.
I. Psychological studies have proven the link between violent video games and violent behaivior.
I am well aware of the psych studies in reference to video games causing violent behavior, but I am also aware that violent behavior
can be defined as fist pumping, leg kicking, controller tossing, or even swearing. Absolutely shoking behavior, huh? Under those guidelines, driving and golf cause violent behavior. In the same breath, these psych studies point to the behaivior being no different than the reaction to TV or movie violence. I think the real issue is that society, as a whole, is violent and distructive.
I decided on the sales age of 21, because of mental development certainties of fluid and crystalized behaivioral patterns. To sum up, the older you get, the more stuck in your ways, you become. Youth are impressionable. Anyone over 21 can surely agree that you did some just dumb and questionable things before that golden age. Things that, through the benefit of age and wisdom, you won't repeat. If that's not good enough, then because I can.
II. With tragedies such as Columbine and Virginia Tech, popular politicians have championed the cause to regulate violent media.
The easy answer to this is: In free market commerce, society dictates what it wants, hence no market, no product. This is an answer politicians have yet to understand, and so regulate we must, and so waste taxpayers money, we will. I can't blame politicians all together; they answer to the voting public, and if the voting public wants regulation, thats what they get; in all it's glory.
I, for one, believe companies should regulate themselves and be responsible members of society. industrial Zen has it's own market protection strategy. We insist that if a mass market venue carry our Adult Only games, that they must check ID, and all have all customers fill out a form including: name, age, and drivers license or state ID number. They also must sign a declaration section stating that no minor, or adult under 21 will even see the game under penalty of law. The information will only be used in the case of civil suits resulting from contract breach of said form.
industrial zen wants to be responsible for its own soul crushing, and psyche shattering content. We market towards responsible members of society with limited psychological issues,(iZ is aware that we are left of center). We also believe that living out fantasies in our world, is a lot better than in your world.
The last point I would like to make, that seems to be ignored in this popular debate: Has anyone killed anyone souly using a video game? No guns, no knives, just the disk or even the packaging? Seems too simple, but, that is my point! I think the second admendment allows the sale of far more dangerous materials, but no one is touching that! Nor do I wish them to! I wouldn't hinder your right to bare arms anymore than I'd wish to give up my first admendment right. It all comes down to responibility for your own actions, and too often we play victim to invisible puppet masters, instead of just pointing the finger squarely where it belongs!
Video games are for kids.
Video games are for anyone capable of using a controller, at any age. I never understood why anyone would come to the conclusion that video games are a kids only market. The consoles are pushing the $800 mark, and the games themselves are usually priced new at around $70. I don't have children, so I don't know what kind of allowance kids are getting now a days, but I would think most of the product would be out of a kids price range. That means parents are buying these games for their kids. Which brings me back to regulation: If parents are unconcerned with what they buy their kids, then why should I care?
The old familiar battle cry of the bad cause; think of the children. The ESRB has a rating system in place. So if parents paid attention to what they buy their kids, or if stores and employees were responsible; there would be no need for the ban of AO sales. I'm not in the business of parenting for other capable, but lazy adults! I am in the business of selling AO titles, and as of yet no major venue, i.e. Mal-Mart, Target, or Mejer's, will sell them. I can't blame them! They might get sued because the employee's don't care! So the major venue corporate world out of fear, do not allow adults to purchase what adults should have a right to buy. Of course, the consumer does have the power in all scenario's. Parents need to pay attention, and adults who wish to purchase these games can demand their sale!