Thanks, Justin.

For some reason, the tune that starts off Press Start has grown on me. It's a silly little tune...where's it from? I don't think I've heard it anywhere else. Anyway, I would send you some high-quality hums, but I have no idea what programs are good for voice recording. I have a mic, but it's attached to a cheap USB headset, so I dunno if it'll give you anything high-quality. Same goes to the mic on my Creative Zen Vision: M.

Actually, you know what, go ahead and send them. podcast@gamesarefun.com

I would be remiss if we didn't take users into consideration.

We're good on the tunage right now, I think, though I do appreciate the offer. I have to get into the studio and produce some higher quality stuff this week.

terpfen: I didn't answer because Justin's handling that. I'm sure he'll see your question though.

Of course! More studies could always be done.

However, I disagree on the point of people siding with he who shall not be named. he is backed because he is sensationalist. If you asked your average person what a peer reviewed journal is, they would probably shrug at you.

And I'm not saying it's causal. I'm saying there is a correlation. Whether that correlation is direct or indirect(see my example of rapists and pot heads a couple posts ago) is still up in the air to an extent.

Obviously, violent people are drawn to violent media. That's all I'm saying. Voldemort of video games is not right, but there is a small piece of minute truth in what he says. However distant.

I agree whole heartedly drumlord. However, just because video games are not the only source does not mean they are not a source. Trust me, I am angry a people like that. Thinking about it right now makes me want to put on a cape and cowl and fight the cretins(all silliness aside, it does truly bother me).

I'm not saying that violent games cause violence in people like the mainstream media says, but I'm also not saying there is no repercussions whatsoever for a person who plays a lot of violent games. I am saying that the truth, like in so many cases, lies somewhere in the middle.

Just google "Studies on violent video games" and you shall see what I mean. There are many people on both sides.

And I agree, there is not enough good parenting right now. Too many people pointing fingers. but at some point we have to agree that it is the choice of the person to act out the violence. Just like it is a choice to expose oneself to that violence. Again, if someone truly detested violence, they would not play Halo, GTA, or Manhunt.

Apparently, people skipped the second paragraph. But it is partially my fault; I did not make myself clear enough and used some shoddy wording. I shall quote myself.

"This is not a causal relationship."

I'm not saying that playing a violent game makes you violent in any way. What I am saying is that there is something going on inside the head of a gamer playing a violent game. If someone truly hates and detests violence, they are not going to continue to play a violent video game, correct? At least, not willfully. What they will do is walk away. Much like I shall not continue to watch a movie with Will Farell. But people who do play violent games and watch movies with Will Farell have some desire to keep doing so.

Again, to clarify, I am not saying this means that these people are violent. I am merely saying that they are part of the, oh....99.999999 percent of humanity that has that basic animal instinct of violence. It appeals to us on a very basic level. Now, if you can honestly say that you never ever, ever, ever, ever have a violent urge, not even for one second, then you are a better man(or woman) than I. I would also contest that if someone does play a violent game, there is that urge somewhere. Whether or not you chose to act on it is a completely different matter.

uncle-
Of course when you shut it off you it changes. I don't stop listening to some Disco and keep dancing hours after it is turned off. Also, being asked to put things behind age gates and actually doing it are completely different matters. As we have already discussed, actions and thoughts(or in this case, policies) are different. I still see people selling games to underage kids frequently. And that%u2019s something that has to be dealt with individually.

Secondly, if thoughts and actions are two things, then why not give the child the violent game?

Thirdly, why do you insist that anger manifested as violence is different than sadness? Or poignancy? This is the problem. As a group, we have this ridiculously high opinion of ourselves. %u201CThere is no way violence affects us, blah, blah, blah.%u201D But then turn around and think that anything else can and does?

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drumlord-
I never said it makes you feel violent. Please do not put words in my mouth. I know that violence is an action, not a feeling. But one can "feel" angry. Or they can be desensitized to violence. Again, the example of a comedy; Few comedies tend to be funny the 10th time you watch them. And if they are, it is usually to a far less extent.

Sorry, but I thought I already addressed your last point in my first post.

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To summarize, violence in media and violence in actions are two completely separate things. I agree. But do you realize how insane it sounds when someone plays violent games, watches violent movies, and all that and then says that it has no affect on them whatsoever? Or that they have no violent urges ever? That person, if one such person exists, is a damn saint. Acting on the anger is the problem. Following through with violence is what people see. Regardless of our feelings. Who cares if we get a little into shooting someone down in Halo? As long as we don%u2019t hurt real people, why does it matter? Why do we take offense to this idea?

Okay, back to less lawyer-inflaming topics.

Is the podcast hurting for intro/outro bumper music? I've got a few appropriate tunes I can send your way, guys.

"The problem with the game industry is that they do not take these allegations seriously in any way shape or form."

That's not true at all. Don't make such a statement if you can't back it up. The industry is largely made up of people who are of parenting age and have kids that they themselves worry about. You know which company takes the most active stance as far as dealing with press like GAF in regards to game violence and ratings? Rockstar. A two sentence press release carries four paragraphs of legalese and a request for media on all their adult rated games to be behind age gates.

"If we make the necessary steps to make sure that these things are marketed correctly, have proper warnings that are enforced then these types of problems will drastically reduce, I promise."

If by "we" you mean retailers, then sure. But game publishers are not the reason that ESRB ratings are not enforced. Also, note that since the hot coffee situation, video game detractors have by and large stopped asking for ratings enforcement and started attacking the ESRB itself.

"Have you ever read a book that made you think? Saying that violent games can promote violent behavior is the same thing."

No it's not. You are comparing media making me feel something to media making me do something. These are very different. Nothing can make you feel violent as violence is not an emotion.

It was once thought that certain books would make young people become sexually promiscuous and other books make people become violent. These were banned and burned by various cultures. This is something we should be beyond by now.

Listened to it today; it was a good podcast. The gun/shooting discussion was interesting, and the more light-hearted conversation at the end was enjoyable.

All the better, I feel. ;-P

And where the hell are the GR forums? They've been down for like a month!

"...Do...do I even want to know what that is...? I obviously didn't get the reference, otherwise I wouldn't have cut it (probably)."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beers%2C_Steers%2C_and_Queers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolting_Cocks

Listened to the relevant portion of the podcast... I believe it's Sam who asked if I had applied.

And, Justin, doesn't it suck to win disapproval for essentially promoting quality as the number one deciding factor in console purchases? Now you know how I feel.

It's stupid that no one will apply price as a deciding factor when buying games--well, in most cases, since a lot of people complain about 3rd party PS3/360 games being priced at $60, but they never complain about rising DS game prices--but price is all-important when buying consoles. Isn't that kind of two-faced?

Terpfen:
"Listened to the podcast while driving back from class. That really helped the 2 hours fly by."

That's awesome, glad to hear it. Also, the question in... question was whether people were urging you to apply as an editor or be on the podcast. It's the latter. Maybe one of these weeks, huh?

God of War is cool but sometimes I feel the series is in bad need of a decent camera.

I've only just started getting into the pod casts here and over at 1up, but I have to say I like all of what I hear so far. Keep up the work.

PERFECT timing, guys. Today begins my summer classes, where I've got to drive 120 miles every Monday and Wednesday to attend. When I drive out of the range of local radio, I'll fire this up on my iPod's radio transmitter.

...Do...do I even want to know what that is...? I obviously didn't get the reference, otherwise I wouldn't have cut it (probably).

Just for the record, *I* am the site's fruity game lover... Britney's Dance Beat, Magical Mystery Mall, PS1 Teletubbies... recognize.

FIRST!

Oh, wait, wrong site...

Oh, cutting out my calling Rich a homo... fired.