femalegamer

Okay, hand a teenager a video game in which they’re killing monsters, I’m fine (most of the time - there may be some exceptions with both games and certain teenagers). There may be some blood and gore, but I’d like to think that the teenager is able to differentiate between real life (blood and gore = bad) and game life (there’s nothing wrong with a little pixellated blood and guts).

However, a new Wii game, “Pong Toss,” has me up in arms. Sounds innocent, yes? What if you knew that JV Games (under their Frat Party Games line) initially released the game under the title Beer Pong? Now, what if I said this game was rated T for teen (meaning it is acceptable for ages 13 and up)?

After initial concerns, JV changed the name to the more generic Pong Toss and took out all references of booze. Yes, it is a completely sterilized version, technically you’re aiming into pyramid stacked empty red and white plastic cups. However, the only correlation this game has in real life is the drinking game. Even if a child doesn’t realize this at first… you know one of their schoolmates will likely point it out.

Now, I know I can’t say that this game will lead to more teens playing beer pong (the real version). But, when you’re that age - you tend to be a bit more impressionable, curious and approval-seeking. With a game that is set in a much more realistic setting… you’re more likely to try and reproduce it (unlike, say, blowing up a space ship). Yes, underage drinking happens, unfortunately it’s one of those facts of life much like the sky is blue or the Giants are the reigning Super Bowl champs at this very moment. However, we should be discouraging it, something I fear this game is very much not doing.

There have been few points in my life where I out and out disagreed with the concept of a game. This would be one of them.

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