The Curmudgeon

YOU'LL COME FOR THE CURSES. YOU'LL STAY FOR THE MUDGEONRY.

Monday, January 10, 2005

News 2020

Futures traders wishing to profit unfairly from the revelations contained herein are invited to apply to the reporter with appropriate incentives

The Prime Minister has expressed concern at the possible effects of violent computer games on the minds of young children. Speaking at a Microsoft lunch marking the launch of the new MicroMocracy digital voting software, he said that computer game manufacturers should manifest a "purer vision" for the sake of the young minds they held in trust.

"Computer games are not just a convenient way for parents to keep children quiet," he said. "They have the potential to be an important educative tool and a vital element in the transition from childhood to fully operational human resource."

The Prime Minister spoke of his "personal shock" when he discovered his own children playing a video war game based on Operation Friendly Neighbour, a recent success in the war against nastiness in the Middle East.

Players had a choice of roles from both the Allied and the insurgent sides. "I was horrified to find that a sufficiently skilful player could, if he or she chose to play the insurgent role, actually prevent the bombing of Mosul and the excision of the 35,000 terrorists who were present there," the Prime Minister said. "Similarly, a player lacking in skill, if he or she chose to play the Allies, could actually lose the whole campaign and leave the terrorists victorious."

This "casual attitude to history" was all too common on the part of games manufacturers, the Prime Minister said. The idea that terrorism might prevail against democracy was not one that should be presented as entertainment, but as a real danger which was being vigorously combated by responsible governments in both London and Washington, he continued.

Reaction to the speech was largely favourable. "Part of the reason why there is so much cynicism these days is the demise of the belief that the good guys can win," said Microsoft delegate Chip Kevinson. "Maybe, for the sake of future generations, it's time computer games stopped trying to be fashionable and sophisticated and took that kind of thinking on board."

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