A number of big names in gaming have now stepped forward to voice their opinions on President Trump’s belief that violent video games are partly to blame for mass shootings.
President Trump blamed “gruesome and violent video games” for contributing to the “glorification of violence in our society” following yet more mass shootings in the US earlier this month.
Naturally, the gaming industry had a lot to say on the matter, with the likes of ex-Nintendo of America boss, Reggie Fil-Aime taking a stand against the comments.
Now the boss of Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar and 2K Games, has also spoken out.
Appearing on the CNBC’s financial talk show Mad Money [via PCGamer] Take-Two’s chairman and CEO Strauss Zelnick has called Trump’s statements “disrespectful” to those who’ve lost their lives.
“This is a terrible tragedy, a senseless tragedy. It’s fun to talk about entertainment, but lives were lost,” Zelnick said.
“The truth is, it’s disrespectful to the victims and the families to point the finger at entertainment. Entertainment is part of people’s daily joy, and it’s consumed worldwide, and it’s the same worldwide. Gun violence is uniquely American. And that has to change, and it will only change if we address the real issues.”
In response to Trump, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has also issued a statement on the situation, saying: “More than 165 million Americans enjoy video games, and billions of people play video games worldwide…
“Yet other societies, where video games are played as avidly, do not contend with the tragic levels of violence that occur in the U.S. Video games contribute to society, from new medical therapies and advancements, educational tools, business innovation, and more.”
Unfortunately, the debate rages on.
Featured Image Credit: Rockstar Games