tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321070.post7300333579694710124..comments2024-02-27T11:26:39.655-07:00Comments on Southern Rockies Nature Blog: Hunting, Fishing Video Games Threaten the Real ThingChas S. Cliftonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923547685265741325noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321070.post-19390591450407090532011-11-19T12:04:15.452-07:002011-11-19T12:04:15.452-07:00A thought-provoking post, Chas, with thought-provo...A thought-provoking post, Chas, with thought-provoking comments. Thanks.<br /><br />Of late, I've been too insanely busy to make my usual rounds to favorite blogs...Tovar@AMindfulCarnivorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02786679920725797712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321070.post-35299647006148575692011-10-25T21:10:46.123-06:002011-10-25T21:10:46.123-06:00First, this is an awesome opportunity to say how m...First, this is an awesome opportunity to say how much I HATED the Cabela's game when I got a chance to see it earlier this year at a friend's house.<br /><br />Everything about hunting that's out in the world makes an impression on non-hunters, even video games. All that game needed was a few sixpacks of cheap beer and the ability for the player to chuck the cans out the window of his truck to play into stereotypes about gun-happy nutballs a little better.<br /><br />Phillip, while I agree in principle that these games might not be the tipping factor for someone deciding whether to hunt, I can tell you this true story: One of my students, when he found out about my life outside of school, told me that his dad was an avid duck hunter. I asked if he tried, it, and he said, almost exactly, "Yes, but it was too slow. I like video games better." I will concede, however, that he was referring to shooting games in general, not a hunting video game.<br /><br />But Chas, I agree with every single criticism you leveled against these games. It's one of the reasons I reach out to my students who express curiosity about hunting: I want to show them the rich layers of the real world. And I'm gratified to see how many urban kids - utterly removed from the cycle of life - are interested in learning more about it.Holly Heyserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03134909592916671876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321070.post-15600211919888916682011-10-25T20:42:37.623-06:002011-10-25T20:42:37.623-06:00I would assume that Bass Pro Shops see these game ...I would assume that Bass Pro Shops see these game as a recruitment tool, thus building their customer base. <br /><br />I agree with you that the games present an unrealistic--but I would say also an emotionally stunted--picture of hunting and fishing, and thus would not really do the job.Chas S. Cliftonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00923547685265741325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321070.post-79294228801791964102011-10-25T20:36:47.589-06:002011-10-25T20:36:47.589-06:00This is a conversation that's popped up around...This is a conversation that's popped up around here a few times, especially this time of year as the game-makers are looking for folks to review their products. <br /><br />I disagree that the video games are any kind of real threat... at least not any more than the existence of video games already is (a distraction to keep young folks indoors and promote the short-attention span epidemic). I understand your points, of course, because the video games are not realistic. But they're not really supposed to be. <br /><br />There have been a couple of attempts to make realistic hunting games, by the way. TheHunter.Com is an interesting, immersive experience. But the problem with "real" hunting in video games is that it moves far too slowly. Slow doesn't generally sell games. So the pretense of realism is generaly dispensed with, and replaced with fast action and competitive features. <br /><br />The idea that this false representation of the hunt somehow sullies the sport, or teaches the wrong message is flawed in the same way that the idea that video wargames make killing and death acceptable recreation. Most normal gamers are perfectly capable of separating game play from real life. <br /><br />Do hunting games enhance recruitment of new hunters? I doubt it seriously. But maybe they get some people thinking about it. <br /><br />Do they enhance the image of the hunter? Probably not, although I don't think they do the damage that some people would claim. I doubt that any rational person believes these games are intended as any kind of real representation of hunters or hunting. <br /><br />Overall, I think these games pretty much a wash when it comes to the future of hunting or fishing.Philliphttp://www.hog-blog.comnoreply@blogger.com