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  1. Games
  2. Action
  3. Gun

Ways the games industry can improve its image

Features
By GamesRadar Staff published 17 January 2013

Straighten up and fly right, you delinquents

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Let's clean up our act

Let's clean up our act

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary set off intense political discussion on what groups in our society could be ultimately responsible for the incident, and talks of prevention have sprung forth. Some say it's the NRA's fault, others say video games cause people to be violent. Vice President Joe Biden recently met with representatives of the games industry to discuss solutions to the issue of gun violence in the United States, and the result came with a few suggestions.

His task force's advice to the games industry was to consider changing its public image, which, we agree could use a bit of spit-shine. So, games industry, no need to worry. We got this. We know just where games' messy spots lie, and we've got the polish to clean it all right up. All you have to do is follow these simple dos and don'ts.

Page 1 of 21
Page 1 of 21
DO: Get parents to use the ESRB ratings

DO: Get parents to use the ESRB ratings

Page 2 of 21
Page 2 of 21
DON'T: Make Bikini Torso Special Editions

DON'T: Make Bikini Torso Special Editions

Page 3 of 21
Page 3 of 21
DON'T: Refer to a mode designed for less skilled players as 'girlfriend mode'

DON'T: Refer to a mode designed for less skilled players as 'girlfriend mode'

Page 4 of 21
Page 4 of 21
DON'T: Use actual dangerous weapons as limited edition paraphernalia

DON'T: Use actual dangerous weapons as limited edition paraphernalia

Page 5 of 21
Page 5 of 21
DO: Make a happy train

DO: Make a happy train

Page 6 of 21
Page 6 of 21
DO: Make great games for kids

DO: Make great games for kids

Page 7 of 21
Page 7 of 21
DON'T: Make games with little or no value

DON'T: Make games with little or no value

Page 8 of 21
Page 8 of 21
DO: Have awesome female lead characters

DO: Have awesome female lead characters

Page 9 of 21
Page 9 of 21
DON'T: Put outrageously large breasts on them

DON'T: Put outrageously large breasts on them

Page 10 of 21
Page 10 of 21
DO: Be honest in what you say and do

DO: Be honest in what you say and do

Page 11 of 21
Page 11 of 21
DON'T: Eat Doritos and drink Mountain Dew

DON'T: Eat Doritos and drink Mountain Dew

Page 12 of 21
Page 12 of 21
DO: Show consequences for in-game actions

DO: Show consequences for in-game actions

Page 13 of 21
Page 13 of 21
DON'T: Glorify in-game violence

DON'T: Glorify in-game violence

Page 14 of 21
Page 14 of 21
DO: Know your target audience

DO: Know your target audience

Page 15 of 21
Page 15 of 21
DON'T: Make mature games' ad campaigns target children living with their moms

DON'T: Make mature games' ad campaigns target children living with their moms

Page 16 of 21
Page 16 of 21
DON'T: Write a Top 7 about the most violent video games

DON'T: Write a Top 7 about the most violent video games

Page 17 of 21
Page 17 of 21
DO: Write a Top 7 about the least violent video games

DO: Write a Top 7 about the least violent video games

Page 18 of 21
Page 18 of 21
DO: Make artistic, thoughtful, interactive experiences

DO: Make artistic, thoughtful, interactive experiences

Page 19 of 21
Page 19 of 21
DONT: Include a token controversy bait level

DONT: Include a token controversy bait level

Page 20 of 21
Page 20 of 21
DO: Listen to your fans

DO: Listen to your fans

What ways do you think the gaming industry could improve its image? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. We're listening.

And if you're looking for more, check out our 100 most anticipated games of 2013 and this week's Top 7.

Page 21 of 21
Page 21 of 21
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GamesRadar+ was first founded in 1999, and since then has been dedicated to delivering video game-related news, reviews, previews, features, and more. Since late 2014, the website has been the online home of Total Film, SFX, Edge, and PLAY magazines, with comics site Newsarama joining the fold in 2020. Our aim as the global GamesRadar Staff team is to take you closer to the games, movies, TV shows, and comics that you love. We want to upgrade your downtime, and help you make the most of your time, money, and skills. We always aim to entertain, inform, and inspire through our mix of content - which includes news, reviews, features, tips, buying guides, and videos.

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