In this weeks Chalk Talk we delved into modern-day military shooters. Game critics have argued that the way they morph soldiers into "unfeeling automatons capable of killing thousands without the slightest twinge of sorrow". Others have argued that these are simply games, not too unlike a game that transforms you into an assassin of old, or a thug lifestyle gangster, which do not dictate our behavior and are simply forms of escapism. Here is what GameSpotters had to say.

　　danny_dm_moore: It is getting increasingly difficult to tell these games apart and for these titles to carve out their own niche in such a crowded market place, but one game from 2009 dared to try something different, to take a risk and tell the story of one of the most brutal battles of the modern era, it was called Six Days in Fallujah and to say it was controversial is a bit of an understatement. read more.

　　SuperMassive20: Escapism is a huge part of the gaming concept, whether you actively seek it or whether you just enjoy it. But are we seeking escapism and being delivered something more sinister, are we actually being fed propaganda in modern shooters? read more.

　　DraugenCP: Violence continues to be a part of our society, a daily reality that we all have to deal with. Whether it is war, shoot-outs or general crime, violence enters our living rooms in one way or another every time we turn on the TV. read more.

　　Starshine_M2A2: War, for all of its awful characteristics, has proven throughout human expression that it is at the centre of all forms of games. I like to think of it as beginning with chess a battlefield on a small scale with knights, castles and frontline pawns each attempting to strategically capture the opposing side's leaders read more.

　　Gelugon_baat: Perhaps the game-makers can highlight plenty of interviews with identity-obscured consultants to present themselves as being serious in making their modern combat shooters, and I have no reason to doubt this, nor the beliefs of their consultants. I am not one to pour so much scorn readily. read more.

Peanut Gallery

More Chalk

Extra Credit

　　- Bad Endings or Bad Fans? By: JBStone1981

　　- Is The Puzzle Genre Secretly Dead? By: -INKling-

　　- Five Reasons why the Elder Scrolls Online will re-define the MMO genre. By: Scorchstar

Last Week on Chalk Talk: Play like a girl

Next Week's Assignment:

　　What say you GameSpot, are we in desperate need of the next generation of consoles? Or do we simply need more inspired artists? Need some inspiration? Consider these points; are graphics still a major focus for the average gamer, just how important is the gameplay? Or could new consoles offer better implementation of the services currently available?

　　Write up your blog, mark as editorial and post here it in the official submission thread.

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