Generation PRX

YEB Spotlight Piece: Video Game Violence by Colin Redwood

Video Game Violence

Review by Minnie B.

Colin Redwood, a fellow Teen Radio Project participant, created a segment on whether violent video games actually promote violence among those who play them.

Redwood's mother's reaction to the video game was very informational. Before playing the video game, she asks her son whether he would ever utilize the violence depicted in the games in real life.

The narration is spot-on, though a bit monotone. The active tape of playing video games and isolated sounds make the segment very visual. The phone interview was an excellent addition, providing an expert's viewpoint on violent video games. The sound quality of the phone interview was a bit off from Redwood's sterile narration, but it transitions nicely.

The ending of this segment was very thoughtful; how many times have
politicians pointed the finger at violent video games for the increase in crime rates among teenagers, while simultaneously ignoring other issues that Redwood mentions, such as gang wars, culture wars, and the war in Iraq?

Colin worked as a Teen Radio Project participant over the summer
and this segment was the capstone of the internship. As an initial effort, this is an outstanding segment done in a very short period of time, while overcoming many obstacles (ie. difficult editing program, short timespan.) This is a wonderful, inside look into the issue without being overbearing, politically correct or cliche.