After the release of The Beatles: Rock Band, the announcement of Green Day: Rock Band had my interest from the beginning. As I've been a fan since the band's Dookie days and enjoyed the three-songs-long list available for Rock Band 2, I've often thought Green Day would be a perfect fit for the game. Yet, while the songs fit extremely well in the Rock Band format, the game itself is, sadly, a disappointment...
It appears as if the old punk-rock band Green Day has complained about violent video games and MMA fights to Kerrang. So this is my (Robin Ek, TGG) take on the matter.
I agree about this article. Green Day hasn't been revelant since.There is difference between fiction and reality. Before you disagree me, video game don't make people violence but other people who have low mentally issue and can't control themselves. Most people would agree with me that is parents fault for not educated their children enough. When I was child, I had mental problems but thank to my parents for educated me. I can see the difference. The only thing I can worry about playing video game is the health safety. Playing video game too long could cause people tired or brain damage. Like I said, video game never make people violence.
Thanks =) I´m glad to hear that you enjoyed my article ;) Yes, and if one can´t tell the difference between reality and fiction, then it´s time for that person to seek mental help asap. Correct, and my parents did a great job with me and my brothers (we weren´t allowed to play games that weren't meant for us to play due to our young age). Yes, people have even died from playing too much video games (I think it was a Wow or Starcraft player the last time that it happened?). However, that could be said about anything really. As too much of anything is most of the time not a good idea.
Yes, I agree with you. Like I said, the only I worry about people playing video game. It's people health especially a person who has unstable mind and need a treatment ASAP. And also, there are some young age people who play violence video game are not affect this because these people are lucky to have parents who know how to teach their children well.
TGG_overlord, it feels like the title of your article is asking me a question : D So, my answer would be: I don't know.
Also, you make a lot of sense. Thank you for being sensible : )
They died from a clot just like you can from sitting in one place to long fling,driving,etc nothing that the games caused.
I never liked Green Day, and I can´t say that I like them more now. Imo, they are just a trio of old ex-rockers that drop moral tantrums like some elderly ladies at the mall.
Hey man, there are some smart elderly ladies with some perfect valid moral input...Unlike Green Day.
Should we even care what Green Day thinks. I mean they compose songs like "Wake Me Up When September Ends". When they got millions of teens watching them. Doesn't make sence for them to be "worried" about "violence in video games".
I'm not really sure what makes Green Day relevant to write an article about how they are worried about video games. Who cares? They can worry about it....it's their prerogative just like we can not worry about it.
I mean, I am free to say how I feel the homogenization of modern pop/rock music is detrimental to the philosophical growth of the human spirit as a whole because it offers up no diversity to support the expanding of free thinking among today's youth when they are most susceptible to forming their future outlooks.
It doesn't mean my opinion is worth validating with an article or attention just because I said it, anymore than it's worth it for an article to do it for Green Day just because they're musicians.
Unless they go on some campaign that extends outside their fan base who may give their opinion some sort of respect due to their status(Like Jenny McCarthy and vaccinations), I don't see the issue. For those who would follow that campaign blindly just because it's from a group they respect or like....well those people are just idiots who have no real critical thinking skills to determine their own stance, or bother to take the time to actually learn anything worthwhile.
@The 10th
Some of those elderly ladies could probably beat the crap out of Green Day while they are so distracted by the violence in video games.
American Idiot is perhaps even more relevant today than when it was first released, just watch the US election coverage. The US is heading for full blown idiocracy.
Yep, how many of my fellow Democrats protested against Bush, only to love the fact Obama (and perhaps soon Hillary) is doing the same things?
Q: You mean you hated Bush when he invades the wrong country, lets wall street run roughshot, outsources jobs, spying, droning, giving police military equipment, etc, etc???.... (and this list really does go on and on and on)
A: YEAH!!!! I hate that guy. We need to impeach him.
Q: Well, Hillary and Obama support the same things
A: I love them! They are the best eva!
Idiocracy is already here.
I find it funny how most Americans think they have left and right wing parties when in fact there are just two right wing parties, with one being just a bit more right than the other.
Even Sanders would only be a centrist at best by world standards.
Green Day was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year. Their new single "Bang Bang" came out 2 weeks ago, awesome fast punk rock song. Their new album comes out in October, and announcing a tour soon. They have a Broadway show based on American Idiot which has won numerous awards and been a huge hit. The band has sold over 75 million albums, and people still talk about their albums today especially Dookie and American Idiot. Not to mention the countless number of bands they have influenced (along with Blink-182 and New Found Glory) but you say not relevant >_>
Wish someone who actually cared about Green Day wrote this article, as a fan had a really hard time reading this.
It's not easy to hear them say that. Look, all we have to do is move on and find a better solution.
Of all the bands out there, Green Day is one of the ones I like more.
Doesn't mean their opinion is of any more importance on the topic at hand....at least beyond the fact they have it.
Not that they can't express it, or even talk about it, but I don't feel their status or relevancy should give their opinion more weight than anyone else who may speak on it in a hyperbolic fashion....which is most who speak on being worried about it.
GD was made popular by Seinfeld. GD is famous for the same reasons the Beastie Boys were. You should slap yourself in the face for even putting them in the same list as those other actual artist.
Doom is FPS game and it is violence,but I played the game and it didn't affect me because it's fictional. It's video game goddamit.
If a person can kill another human being just like that, then it would make any difference of the killer played games or not. As the person is clearly lacking both morals and a normal functional mindset.
Like I said, people who has low morals and unstable mind. They need a treatment ASAP.
Edit :@Pintheshadows It is not. Those people who is lack of morality and unstable mindset only affect by video game if they are not strong enough to control themselves.
You say that, but are you not a full blown sorcerer now after being taught by Simon the Sorcerer?
Games affect lives.
Well, you haven't experienced a traumatic childhood that led to mental issues and insecurity yet. When that happens, we'll know now what to blame. [J/K]
Yea, the traumatic childhood that led the mental issues and insecurity..... This is a joke right?
Dealing like issues like that is a lot harder than just finding a easy thing to blame like video games.
Yes its fictional, I read what Green Day and their concern isnt violence in a fictional frame, their concern is that the line between fiction/fantasy and reality is being blurred by devs.
@TwoForce
"Yes, I agree with you. Like I said, the only I worry about people playing video game. It's people health especially a person who has unstable mind and need a treatment ASAP. And also, there are some young age people who play violence video game are not affect this because these people are lucky to have parents who know how to teach their children well."
Exactly, and crazy and evil people have existed far longer than video games have...
Yeah, video games are not the problem.
Green day should stick to music. If they want to worry about something perhaps the impact of drugs on youth and crime in general. Or corruption in politics. Or greed and capitalism running rampant.
But yeah, poor people, immigrants, and video games are the real issues in the world. Just see Fox news if you don't believe me.
Pathetic from Green Day.
I'm sure they don't like it when people say that their music makes people want to cut themselves and hurt others, so you would think they would know better than to bring out this tired old argument about games.
Nope, last album dropped over four years ago. And they went down hill after the late 90s and early 2000s.
Nope, imo, their "relevance" died out by the late 90s. In the matter of fact, I haven´t heard one single song by them on radio for the last eight years or so.
They´ve got a new album coming up, and that´s THE only reason that they attacked MMA and games (Mmmm, free PR).
I don´t think their bs statement about violent video games and MMA will help them sell more records (on the contrary), but I guess that they are too stupid to realize that?
I doubt they really care at this point, I'm sure they have more than enough money that it makes no difference. They can write whatever they want rather than what will sell.
Exactly, back in the day people made arguments that punk, rock and metal was a catalyst for violence. It seems hypocritical that they would use the same argument for video games.
Take that even further back and Beethoven was considered violent by some classical critics. Society, as a whole, really likes to look outwardly for answers that often point directly at the members individually.
And MMA as well. "I'm supposed to eat in a restaurant watching two people kick the shit out of each other?". Don't go to a restaurant with a bar on fight night, dumbass. People go to the bar so they don't have to spend 100 dollars on a payperview.
@IndominusRex
Agreed. I would say fear is what starts hatred like racism and homophobia etc. And from that we get violence.
No, the people at the top start the violence.
They use what you described (hatred, racism, and religion) to get the plebs to buy into committing that violence.
@TwoForce
"Kind of little bit off topic, What about Skillet?"
What about them? Have they also said something about video game violence?
The press, the media and the politics? As they use people like Green Day to push the agenda that violent video games are bad.
If this is really true then they are idiots. Can they explain how violent pol pot, al capone, hitler and attila the hun is? Maybe they have videogames at their time we dont know yet? Probably playstation zero and xbox zero. Typical, if anything goes wrong blame it on videogames. I have been playing games since NES and got a chance to play GTA 3 when it came out and so does my siblings and friends. Are they violent killers? No, the human being is alone responsible for what he does.
Wonder what they'd say to the people who say that pot causes people to be violent. Bet they'd laugh that off as ignorant pretty quick and be able to offer up all sorts of reasons why it doesn't....some even scientific because you can always count on a pothead to understand the actual science on why it's untrue.
Sometimes people can't see that their BS is the same BS they'd ignore and be able to find facts that completely refute it.
Exactly, but it´s way easier to blame everything on games and gamers instead...
Many people, including myself, worry about men over forty who still wear mascara and deface the punk genre.
I think any sane person should be worried about men that're over forty years old who still wear mascara and deface the punk genre ;)
"Punk band", but in my opinion, Green Day is nothing more than an emo/fake wannabe punk band.
Yeah...because they're hardcore. Hardcore rock bands care about such topical social issues like violence in video games. /s
Well, I see Green Day is just as punk rock as they've always been. Maybe someday they can turn suburban elementary school playgrounds punk again.
I dont give a shit about Green Day but the reaction to his statements is way overblown.
Dude is nearly 45. He's right, game are more violent today than when he was coming up. He didn't say they were worse. Didn't say they were bad. Just said violence is more prevalent in pop culture. And compaired to Pac-Man and Defender, that's absolutely 100% true.
Knock it off with these knee jerk reactions.
Hahaha.....go write some damn music and stay away from the games. Ive never had the urge to hurt anyone after playing a video game.
But I sure have knocked out a few people after listening to some music. Go figure.
I used to like them in the 90's. Their newer stuff though is so bad that I can't even listen to the old music anymore.
I didn't even know they were still making music until I started reading the comments here. I liked them in the 90's....those were my teenage years. And for the most part, they were the least terrible of all the other offerings of my generation.....which in retrospect are a hell of a lot better than what we have today for the most part.
I will agree with them partly on MMA though. I don't enjoy that either. Pointless barbarism, but to each his own.
How about they worry about their music depressing the youth? Or how about this? Why don't they worry about music that glorifies violence and crime since y'know that's their industry and all and music is far more accessible than animated violent games that aren't realistic in the slightest?
U might as well get shocked and appalled by celebrity death match violent clay animation shows or stuff crazy stuff on adult swim if you're worried about violent games? Also why not go after books and movies? Ever heard of American Psycho?
Look, enough with this act of trying to get into the spotlight by pulling a Hilary Clinton on violent games when every other medium is by far worse than video games and even more affordable and readily accessible.
That being said I still like listening to Green Day and while I don't "have the time to listen to you whine" I'll still jam to your stuff on the way to work. Just stop trying to be relevant and looking to the easiest scape goat to start being concerned about violent media when your industry is even worse with affecting the youth of a nation.
Then don't. I can't believe they call their music punk rock knowing it doesn't sound anything remotely close to punk.More like commercial pop rock garbage.
I'm worried about shitty music but here we are. Don't make the industry liable for what parenting should handle. If parents would instill just a modicum of logic and reason, we wouldn't have so many lost in moral ambiguity. It's easy to point fingers and let technology babysit. Put a little effort in the front end and you might just make a difference.
This is one of the best bands of the last 30 years expressing genuine concern, stop insulting them. I'm personally not offended but I have a 2 year old boy and you better believe I'll never let him see utterly offensive games like gta 5.
Green Day just get a lot of haters because they're one of the best bands out there.
Not offended that he has an opinion, just that it's getting so much attention because of their celebrity status.
TBF, their musical exploits of the past has zero relevance to their rather misinformed opinion on video games. They could be the best musicians in history or they could be one of these embarrassing wannabe bands you see everyday on youtube, and it would make zero difference on the subject matter.
I'd be more worried that people are listening to Green Day than playing violent video games
It's sad to see this topic is still debated, not by some grey elders who never touched a game but by a known poprock band ffs.
Edit: games are the new Marilyn Manson
He's a musician, had the media against him for a while late 90s early 00's I think. Some found his lyrics and performance controversial and he got blamed for shootings. You can read up on it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...
Back then it was "violent" music, now it's games. Same shit new medium.
This is a junk editorial which has little to no actual sense to it. Who complains about a person's relevance when discussing the validity of their argument? "Well... You're not popular so... I don't like what you say?" Would you listen to Kanye saying the same thing? I could go on about every point, brutally nonsensical.
I wonder what the criteria for being 'relevant' actually is ? Obviously, an inconsequential blogger and some no-name commentors are allowed to hold opinions but not a group of lads who've made a career of putting their own opinions to music.. ?
I wonder if the author understands what irony is ?
Thats hilarious before the media blamed games they blamed rap and rock music its fucked up that guys in the music industry would say this when they know its just the media scare mongering
Best defense against this is does cooking mama make me a chef? Does guitar hero make me a rockstar? Does F1 2016 make me a formula 1 driver? Does call of duty make me a solider? Does UFC make me a cage fighter? Does harvest moon make me a farmer? I can go on and on i hate the fact that the media blames games every time a killing happens i remember when a kid shot someone a few years back and the uk media plamed assassins creed 2 you know the game that has loads of gun fights /s obviously mentally unstable people should not be playing games and we have age ratings for a reason but the media makes it out like games turn anyone into killing macheins
I'm worried about them too - not to violent sometimes... So worried, so worried...
The first and last Green Day song I liked was Disappearing Boy way back in 1990... with that said as the years have gone Green Day have done their best to become the "punk rock" version of U2, fancying themselves as the saviors of humanity. It's what a band does when their best music is decades behind them.
Ha! Green Day!? PlastikPopPunk. They'll be doing a duet with effing Kanye this year...
I got an idea. What if they focus on making some good new music. Its been awhile. Or they can count the millions of dollars they have collected from people who play violent video games. Hell, they could give it back. I'll use it to buy something like Dark Souls dlc.
I remember when I was 10 and played Manhunt and I went killed people too, oh wait I didnt because I'm not psychotic games don't make people violent sick of this tired old argument don't you think that dead horse has had enough beating?
I guess, in a way, he was correct about some of what he said. Violence IS more pervasive on TV. Games are more realistic and that could cause perception issues with children. If I had young children, I'd be sure to keep them away from age inappropriate content as well.
That being said, there is still no proof that videogames have a direct effect on violence. Education and communication is more important when dealing with violent content and children, imo, then the practice of avoiding the issue. Kids are bound to see it and experience it at some point (usually because you said NOT to). So, it's best to lay out a foundation for them.
In the end, it sounds to me like a father who is concerned about protecting his young child and less like some attack on gaming. I can respect that...as long as it doesn't become some vendetta. I'm glad to see the members of Green Day actually still alive and making music. I guess that trip to Broadway gave them a late career boost.
Of course the far left, liberal a$$hats called Greenday feel this way. Liberal thinking has programmed them to feel this way
It's so easy to blame someone or something for our own actions instead of take responsibility.
If you guys don't know, Green Day created Insomniac in 1995.
We should thank them for Spyro, R&C, Resistance and Sunset Overdrive.
Great way to get some pub Green Day, I haven't heard anything about you since the mid 90s
The internet causes more violence than video games. Look at what being able to be anonymous on the internet does to people. Look at all the death threats and swatting that comes from anonymity, I bet even Green Day will get death threats from what they have said. Just my 2 cents.
Most people who end up violent or doing bad things are because of how their lives have evolved. It is to do more with their child hood and the effects of events on their lives as they grow up that effects them mentally. Vioolonece was around before video games.
Society just can't accept these people are born with the genes and others evolve because of issues at home etc.
For some reason society needs a reason that someone is violent or has violent tendencies. It's called being human, there will always be people with issues, it's something we have to expect and also except it's very difficult to stop them all and will always be so.
Google Green Day Mosh Pit and see if you hear Mike Dirnt stop and ask the crowed to quit beating the shit out of each other.
LOL! This from a band that wrote a song called HAVING A BLAST.
"I'm taking all you down with me
Explosives duct taped to my spine
Nothing's gonna change my mind
I won't listen to anyone's last words
There's nothing left for you to say
Soon you'll be dead anyway
Well, no one here is getting out alive
This time I've really lost my mind and I don't care
So close your eyes
And kiss yourself goodbye"
I'm worried about musicians thinking they have relevance outside their field. If you think FPS games make people more violent write a fucking song and STFU.
Green Day is worried about violent video games? That's hardly an issue. I'm worried about Green Day's music. Now there's a cause for concern.
They should stop being concerned about games and learn more chords then they might write something good that dont sound the same as all their other CRAP. Also this is from a group who called a cd dookie and sang about jerking their meat what a joke.
As a father and a gamer for almost 30 years I have to agree with Green Day! "Let the hate begin!"
The most violent game I can remember as a kid was Doom and Wolfenstine 3D. Games were much more creative and required a lot more skill to play when I was a kid. "Ninja Gaiden 2 The Dark Sword of Chaos ". Still have nightmares of that game. In anycase shooters weren't really a thing for console gaming. I find myself more and more going back to my Sega Saturn and PS2 for my gaming fix. (Fighter's Megamix) I have all the latest consoles but it is hard for me to play many of the games I own on those systems in front of my kids. You all talk about understanding reality from fiction. But you fail to forget that young minds have not matured and until kids mature those lines become blurred. Most games on the market today are kill, shoot, curse and repeat.
I have to admit though, I love Doom! But I won't let my children anywhere near that game.
I wish more kids could play games like Xenoblade Chronicles or Ni No Kuni. The imagination is such an important tool and there needs to be more "compelling" games that aren't surrounded by death all the time.
GuG Writer, Wesley Wood does a review of Green Day Rock Band on the Wii.
VGW's Brian Shea: "The notion of downloadable content is commonplace in today’s landscape of launch-day DLC and season passes, but prior to 2007, to have a legitimate, laid-out plan to support a console game post-launch was not a common occurrence. Harmonix, a company that was in the midst of a transition away from the most popular franchise in the industry at the time, Guitar Hero, had a vision for a brand new IP that would eventually revolutionize the concept of downloadable content."