Hello, I want to hear the opinions of everyone on the subject of video games that depict animal hunting. For example, Big Buck Hunter is a game that the player uses a gun to shoot deer and other animals like birds.

I want to know where YOU stand on the existence of games like this. But please consider the following issues:

1. Is this any different than the enormous amount of video games already out there that depict human violence?

2. Are any animals being harmed as a result of this video game? One argument is that it promotes hunting. But in reality, does playing a game like Doom or Max Payne promote human murder?

3. Would you play a game like this? If not, would you oppose it regardless?

Thanks,

John

I wouldn't play them.

Yes, I tried playing one. But it was soo boring. I couldn't find a dang deer to shoot anywhere. I gave up.

video games dont bother me, no matter what their material

i still think old school nintendo duck hunt is cool as ever

whats the difference between shooting deer and sucking up ghosts (luigis mansion [my new addiction])?
a video game is a video game is a video game

as long as you arent hunting and killing real animals... i dont see anything wrong with it

some AR people like that hunting game where the deer kill people

i think its all the same though

Personally, such a game wouldn't appeal to me. I prefer games which have more action, and games which involve a little more strategy. The whole idea of a video game where you just pretty much stand still, point a gun and kill something that doesn't fight back sounds to me like it's going to be a sh*t game.

I'd personally be Ok with playing these games, but to be honest, tetris would deliver more excitement, or a game which involved mowing rapidly moving human targets down with a fully automatic weapon would appeal to me more. I mean, seriously, they have hunting video games???? I really can't see anyone using their leisure time for that!!!! Especially when Grand Theft Auto: Vice City allows you to partake in some cool violent acts which can be fun, amusing and thrilling.I mean, FBI agents fight back. Deer don't. Where's the fun in shooting a target that's not trying to kill/catch you?

I play video games quite a bit and games like Deer Hunter turn me off. I've never played it and don't plan to. I've played a fishing game that my s/o rented but it was boring. Hunting games are a real turnoff. (The original Duck Hunt.. now that's a whole 'nother story)
I don't know if it promotes hunting.. good question. I play Grand Theft Auto and games like that but I have no inclination to assault anyone, let alone steal their car.

My problem with these types of games is that they are so realistic. Games like Doom or Quake or whatever are much more violent, and you kill humans, but that's what makes them so far fetched that it doesn't matter. If you get off on deer hunting games, on the other hand, then you can always bring the game to life and go out and shoot at deer for real. There is no distinction between fantasy and reality with these types of games.

I can think of dozens of games that would also be completely unacceptable, simply because they are too realistic. What about games featuring domestic abuse? Or rape? The more realistic games about real life crimes or atrocities like hunting are a serious problem.

What about fantasy-themed games like Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy? Those games are about fighting off evil entities and other mythical creatures such as goblins, trolls, imps, ogres, unicorns, etc. Would that promote the hunting of non-human creatures even if they were unknown?

Don't be ridiculous, neither of those games are realistic. How many times have you wandered the Earth collecting fairies in bottles or searching for Ragnarok so you could defeat the Gi Warriors Spirits of Cosmo Canyon? :rolleyes:

Yes, people should not hunt goblins. They are actually nice, it's just the media makes them seem like they are mean.

. . . If you get off on dear hunting games, on the other hand, then you can always bring the game to life and go out and shoot at deer for real. There is no distinction between fantasy and reality with these types of games.

I have to take exception to this... real life hunting suffers from the same reality as real life mushroom hunting... you get cold and wet and have to get up really early in the morning and get your boots all muddy and accidentally drop your binoculars in the mud and have to wear these stupid orange clothes so that real life hunters don't shoot you... of course there'll never be a video game about wild mushroom hunting because you don't get to hold a gun.

The same logic you use could be used for racing games, by the way.

MAGYCA didn't say for those who might not realize it that when you play Big Buck Hunter you get to hold a very realistic rifle.

They have Big Buck Hunter video games in the bars here in Michigan... freaked me the **** out when I saw one for the first time--I thought someone was going to beat me up if they found out I was vegan.

Jim

I've never really noticed any hunting video games. I guess that hunting must be an american phenomenon, because people in Britain don't do it. (Well, we get dogs to do it wit hfoxes, whilst viewing the carnage from on top of a horse, but that's about it.) or at least no one normal does it. It's usually toffs who do it. Anyhow, with video games, I think there are two types: Simulation games which try to emulate relaity to some extent, and escpaist games which let you live out a fantasy. I don't really think there's anything wrong with either type of game. Sim games ar eusually dull. I don't really like them. i like the escapist nature of video games. i love the world where you can nick cars, where you can shoot people, and where it's Ok to carry a rocket launcher around. Of course, I don't do this in real life.

I find it a bit silly that they make hunting video game sthough. I can't imagine anyone playing them. And when i say anyone, i know of no one who would even want to try the game. (they'd definitely prefer vice city.) It just seems liem adul lconcept. You go round the woods, and shoot deer. That seems like the most dull idea for a game ever. i mean, if the deer had laser eyes which trie dto mutilate you, and then you had to shoot fire-breathing pterodactyls out of the air before you get "fired" then I could see the appeal, but deer hunting seems like a really dull idea for a game. I can't believe they have these games in bars. I mean, people actually play them??? i think that says somethin gabout the bar patrons - They must be some of the most dull and boring people one could possibly meet.

I've never really noticed any hunting video games. I guess that hunting must be an american phenomenon, because people in Britain don't do it. (Well, we get dogs to do it wit hfoxes, whilst viewing the carnage from on top of a horse, but that's about it.) or at least no one normal does it. It's usually toffs who do it. Anyhow, with video games, I think there are two types: Simulation games which try to emulate relaity to some extent, and escpaist games which let you live out a fantasy. I don't really think there's anything wrong with either type of game. Sim games ar eusually dull. I don't really like them. i like the escapist nature of video games. i love the world where you can nick cars, where you can shoot people, and where it's Ok to carry a rocket launcher around. Of course, I don't do this in real life.

I find it a bit silly that they make hunting video game sthough. I can't imagine anyone playing them. And when i say anyone, i know of no one who would even want to try the game. (they'd definitely prefer vice city.) It just seems liem adul lconcept. You go round the woods, and shoot deer. That seems like the most dull idea for a game ever. i mean, if the deer had laser eyes which trie dto mutilate you, and then you had to shoot fire-breathing pterodactyls out of the air before you get "fired" then I could see the appeal, but deer hunting seems like a really dull idea for a game. I can't believe they have these games in bars. I mean, people actually play them??? i think that says somethin gabout the bar patrons - They must be some of the most dull and boring people one could possibly meet.

I was pretty scared when I first went into a rural bar in Michigan... I'm from Manhattan and I had never seen a true small town before. Hunters, hunters, NASCAR, and more hunters. I was sheltered. A friend of a friend lit up a pine tree with a headlight on top of a rifle the first week I was here. Another friend of a friend eats nothing (vegetable or animal) that she hasn't grown or shot herself.

Jim

Interestingly, the first "Deer Hunter" games for home PCs were created at the behest of Wal-Mart, which has a large hunting-supplies section and which supports hunting and fishing programs.
It probably wouldn't be a stretch to suggest Wal-Mart is hoping that such games will spark kids' interest in hunting (and buying hunting products).
So I suppose that is the main difference between hunting and human-killing games. Hunting games may be seen as ways to spark kids' interest in hunting, or to keep hunters in that mindset.
Incidentially, I have all of the Deer Avenger games, but it is more of a classic video game in that you play the hero (the deer) who must kill the hunters before they succeed in killing you.

I have to take exception to this... real life hunting suffers from the same reality as real life mushroom hunting... you get cold and wet and have to get up really early in the morning and get your boots all muddy and accidentally drop your binoculars in the mud and have to wear these stupid orange clothes so that real life hunters don't shoot you... of course there'll never be a video game about wild mushroom hunting because you don't get to hold a gun. I'm sorry you took exception to this; although I've read your paragraph, and mine too, several times, and I still can't figure out why. I think what your saying is that deer hunting games, etc. are not realistic because they've left out some of the aspects of hunting? Is that right?

Part of the problem is technology. I mean they couldn't possibly make the game as real as the "sport" because of our technological limits. I mean VR (virtual reality) is too expensive for an arcade and VR that you can feel doesn’t exist yet. So of course the stuff about mud and cold and wet won’t be part of the game. I’ll tell you though, as technology improves and they can get the games to feel and be more real, and make it sell, that’s exactly what they’ll do.

My point is not that they are 100% realistic; I think that it goes without saying that they are not. What I am saying though is that their likeness to real life is what makes them different from other violent shooting games. And the reason that this difference is significant is because the games sensationalize the violence that you can experience first hand, if you so choose to do so.


The same logic you use could be used for racing games, by the way. The difference with driving games is that you couldn’t drive around at 200 mph and brush other cars off the side of the road, even if you wanted to. That’s entirely unrealistic. Most cars don’t go that fast, most roads are too busy for that, you’ll most likely kill yourself trying and you’ll get thrown in jail forever. So no gamer would ever try to pull a Grand Turismo 3 in real life. That’s not the same for hunting.

I was just thinking about this last night, because there is a discussion on veganporn.com about the game "Whiplash" where you play a weasel who is escaping/destroying an animal testing lab (it looks pretty cool).

There are some subjects that probably shouldn't be in games, such as rape, etc. but overall I think there is a very big difference between games and real life. People know the difference, and if they don't, then they have bigger problems. Either way, it's better that people do it in a videogame than in real life.

They also have fishing games, I have a few of them for Dreamcast...pretty boring though.

I have no problem with hunting or fishing games other than the fact that some of them are really boring. If it eases your urge to kill, why not play them.

A couple comments on the topic that I would like to add from my original post:

-Loki, hunting games are common in most bars that have video games. They are also for sale on all the video game systems and PC's. I am sure that there are 5-10 different hunting games, if not more. While in UK, nobody plays them, that is not the case here, because I always see them in bars and they are usually occupied by a group of men.

-I was referring to the game in the bars that uses a plastic rifle gun. You are not using a controller, but rather a lifesize rifle that is orange.

-While this game may not be hurting an animal, I believe the entire concept promoting hunting and making it seem like hunting is "cool" or "fun".

-Duck Hunt is a different story, ABSOLUTELY! :)

-Well, Wal-Mart is capable of supporting hunting.. most of their customers are pigs anyways. The only time I use their stores is for "taking advantage" (no comments).

-Well, Wal-Mart is capable of supporting hunting.. most of their customers are pigs anyways. The only time I use their stores is for "taking advantage" (no comments).

I shop at Wal-Mart, as do many, many people. Step off.

I shop at Wal-Mart, as do many, many people. Step off.
The only thing worse than people who shop at WalMart are people who aren't apologetic about shopping at WalMart. But hey, I live in Delaware. And that's just nasty.

I shop at Wal-mart, too. Magyka, you really should be careful of what you say. Just because you don't like the company itself doesn't mean you should go insulting it's customers.

Back to the topic. Video games are fun and for most people are completely harmless. My issue is they're addicting and for some that's all they do with their life (I speak from experience here, being a former video/computer game junkie myself). That and some people are already unhinged and certain violent games may influence them to do things that are violent.

I love Wal-Mart. : ) "We're coming to take over your world."

But, yes, hunting games are boring. I was playing Cabela's Dangerous Hunts which I thought would be better because you get to hunt wild animals like lions and bears who can come after you and try to kill you, but I spent 30 minutes wandering around the fields of Africa looking for a dang animal and didn't see nothing. They should make it like Duck Hunt with little Zebras and Elephants popping up and smiling at you every 10 seconds. That would be much better. Reality hunting games are so boring, so who knows, maybe these hunting games will show people how boring it is to hunt in real life and they'll stick with race cars and mario brothers.

I am purposefully answering before I read any responses, so please forgive any redundancy.

Hello, I want to hear the opinions of everyone on the subject of video games that depict animal hunting. For example, Big Buck Hunter is a game that the player uses a gun to shoot deer and other animals like birds.

I want to know where YOU stand on the existence of games like this. But please consider the following issues:

1. Is this any different than the enormous amount of video games already out there that depict human violence?

No. Both depict the killing of sentient beings.

2. Are any animals being harmed as a result of this video game? One argument is that it promotes hunting. But in reality, does playing a game like Doom or Max Payne promote human murder?

No. It does not hurt animals directly, but it does promote the idea that there is nothing wrong with killing them, and that killing them is fun. (If you are not playing the video game about killing a deer for fun, then why are you playing it?) This is an anti-vegan idea.

3. Would you play a game like this? If not, would you oppose it regardless?

I would not play a game like this, and would oppose it from an ethical standpoint. I would not ever rally against games like these, though, because I am severely opposed to censorship. (If you're in favor of censorship, then how can you know what the people in charge of censoring are censoring? )

I do play roleplaying games which involve the killing of monsters -- sentient beings that are supposed to be inherently evil. Is this an anti-vegan thing to do? I suppose in the strictest sense it would be. But in all practicality, unless I am a sheepherder trying to protect his flock from the "evil" wolf, I am not in much danger of killing "monsters" in real life. :)

Froggy

Don't be ridiculous, neither of those games are realistic. How many times have you wandered the Earth collecting fairies in bottles or searching for Ragnarok so you could defeat the Gi Warriors Spirits of Cosmo Canyon? :rolleyes:

Oh yeah, I did that once... :afro:

Interestingly, the first "Deer Hunter" games for home PCs were created at the behest of Wal-Mart, which has a large hunting-supplies section and which supports hunting and fishing programs.
It probably wouldn't be a stretch to suggest Wal-Mart is hoping that such games will spark kids' interest in hunting (and buying hunting products).
So I suppose that is the main difference between hunting and human-killing games. Hunting games may be seen as ways to spark kids' interest in hunting, or to keep hunters in that mindset.

Very interesting, Very interesting indeed.

My problem with these types of games is that they are so realistic. Games like Doom or Quake or whatever are much more violent, and you kill humans, but that's what makes them so far fetched that it doesn't matter. If you get off on deer hunting games, on the other hand, then you can always bring the game to life and go out and shoot at deer for real. There is no distinction between fantasy and reality with these types of games.


I agree completely. Games like Deer hunter and not made for fun, they are made as an incentive to go out and kill Deer. After all, it CAN be done. Why settle for less?

I've never really noticed any hunting video games. I guess that hunting must be an american phenomenon, because people in Britain don't do it.

errrrr . . . .what?


Cyprus Mail - 19. January 2002

420,000 partridges shot last year

OVER 59,000 hares and 420,000 partridges were shot during last year's hunting season, according to a recent study carried out by the Game Department.

During the same period, it was estimated that hunters killed 15,000 woodcocks, 11,000 quails, and 100,000 thrushes, as well as around 117,000 other birds big and small.

The study, which questioned 388 hunters out of the 42,895 registered, found that hunters spent an average 6.04 hours hunting per session, compared to 4.5 hours in the previous season.

In a total of 18 hunting days in last year's hunting season the average percentage of outings was 9.6 while 99.6 per cent of those who hunted last year went out on the first Sunday.

During the first day, one in four hunters killed a hare, while each hunter bagged an average 2.5 partriges.

In total, the average hunter last season killed 1.4 hares and 9.8 partridges.

The Game Department believes that the compilation of such statistics can help in creating a database that would help forecast the dynamics of game populations.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002


No, I would never play such a game.