There is little to no evidence to suggest that violent video games contribute to violent behavior. In fact, many studies are showing that playing violent video games allows for the player to vent their emotions in a safe environment. We touched on this aspect of games in general before when we discussed games as being spaces separated from the real world, with their own rules.
In addition, statistics show a decrease in violent crime over the past few years, even as violent video games are on the rise. While there is certainly not always causation where there is correlation, please try to defend your claim with additional solid logic before dismissing the game for it’s violent content. By that notion, the Japanese movie Jisatsu Circle (English title: Suicide Club) should not have been made as characters explode into bloody torrents. The mature viewer would note that this is rediculous, and minors are banned from viewing the movie in Japan. Still, the movie is not simply a gore-fest, and houses a deep and thought-provoking narrative about the evils of the group mentality of the Japanese people and its potential pitfalls. This narrative would not be possible without this element of extravagant violence.
Thus, violence can be used in a manner which enhances the work in a meaningful way. Do not dismiss something simply because it is violent or because it is a game. In the specific case of Bulletstorm, the game was created to be over the top. The overt violence is supposed to be comical, as I have heard is the same for Kill Bill. Also, the game is very arcady, meaning that it is about points and not kills. It seems to me more of a mature-skinned pinball game than anything else.
It has already be noted, but I would like to reiterate that letting a 9 year old play this game is like taking a 9 year old to see an R-rated horror movie. It’s just not within the realm of the sensible.
Also, and I sincerely this does not appear to be some form of ad hominem, but Fox news is not the most reliable and unbiased source of information. For your viewing enjoyment, I will post a link to the Mass Effect “controversy” stirred up by Fox news and the ensuing (supposedly fair) debate. It is clear that Fox attempted to stack the deck based on the ethos of the two people debating as a result of their occupations. One, a female psychologist and novelist. The other, a man from Spike TV. However, please watch the video and see for yourself how it resolves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0kdm7fg804
Not saying that anyone here agrees with Fox, just that they make me very frustrated.
I would also like to apologize for the length of this post but, as is evident, I feel quite strongly about this issue. To summarize, I am not trying to claim that all violence is artistic, but that a work should not be dismissed purely based on violent content.