Ralph H. Baer, creator of the the first video game console ever in 1974, the Magnavox Odyssey, has reflected on the current state of the video game industry and shared some very negative sentiments toward the violent content being produced today. The gaming icon even goes so far as to refer to the violent nature of contemporary games as a disgrace or abomination.
Speaking in regards to the violent nature of modern games, Mr. Baer told the The Salt Lake Tribune:
I think it’s a disgrace. What I created got abominated. You can see the same thing in music, literature, art – any form of art.
On the flip side, Baer also expressed his happiness in playing a key role in shaping the video game medium:
Nobody realized, even at that time, that we were on this geometric curve… that would go straight up to heaven. It was unforeseeable; it was fantastic. I’m glad it happened. And if I hadn’t had started it, someone else would have.
The gaming industry has reached new heights, even surpassing motion pictures in terms of total revenue generated. The shock and awe factor of violence is no doubt a contributing factor to the success of some of the most popular video games, with first person shooters, such as Call of Duty leading the pack in terms of sales.
