Here’s an interesting set of letters between two critics of video games, one prioritizes personal experience and story, the other views the games in the context of all games since the beginning of civilization.
Tom Bissell writes about his approach: “I do, however, like to write about how games cross over into affecting, enriching, or profoundly messing with one’s life outside of game-playing.”
By contrast, Simon Ferrari explains: “It’s my contention that games are systems of rules and artificial spaces before they’re stories. And if we want to foster creativity, depth, and breadth in the design of future games, then we need to begin by teaching the reading, writing, and critique of rule systems at an early age.”
Our friend Col. David Grossman is convinced that “shooter” video games perform the same desensitizing function as military training, teaching gamers to overcome their natural reluctance to kill. The difference is that video games lack the responsible moral guidance the military provides.
It’s also easy to understand that you are shooting at a game element, not even a living animal. It’s closer to target practice than hunting or murder. But I still don’t think FPS (first person shooters) are entirely innocent, because as a man thinks, so is he.