Intro
Because "boycott" is such a misused word, but conscientious objection is still at least a little less so. It also illustrates a deeper meaning as to why a person may not support a particular form of popular media based solely on personal conviction.
Objecting to Media
Can you object to media? Absolutely. You can control the media you consume! I am not sure how you were raised but my parents definitely filtered the TV shows I could watch and movies I could see. And they did so until my younger siblings were close to high school age. This taught me many things, but two very appropriate things.
1) There are some things in media that I don't have to watch and should not watch until I can really understand. For example, my parents did NOT let me watch "The Simpsons" until I was older. Because really that's an animation aimed at an older audience that might have some appeal, but I was a really dumb 6 year old.
2) I do not have to watch everything my friends watch on TV or what the culture promotes as "cool". It was acceptable to be picky. It was good to control what I watched.
It is important to form your "media conscience", because media is a big part of our modern lives. Media does affect a person and a person's soul. If you expose yourself to the overwhelming negative news, don't you feel a little depressed or hopeless? Media helps us shape our opinions AND beliefs. It can also promote us to action. If we are cultivating our souls for heaven then we should work on strengthening our soul. If there is media to consume that weakens your will to sin, then it might be best to avoid it OR consume it with the proper company.
Would you play this game with Jesus?
First off, never, ever ever ever utilize this as an argument. I put this title here to make a point. In another article I read, (I've since lost the link) claims that this is an inappropriate way to decide whether or not to read a book or watch a movie or play a video game. If Jesus was there, it would mean the rapture was at hand so let's go home. And I would be too busy worshiping him to bother playing my game.
Then it also sets up God as not being present in the world. It makes Him seem like some morally uptight peeping tom or Big Brother. This is just not the case. God is not a moral policeman and consuming media that might touch on controversial topics will not displease Him or damn you to Hell.
Pardon this side note of a section it's just something that really bothers me about those who denounce certain media titles.
Granted there are some types of media that the Church has formally proclaimed as gravely sinful and should NOT be consumed nor promoted.
2396 Among the sins gravely contrary to chastity are masturbation, fornication, pornography, and homosexual practices. (CCC)
Forming an Opinion without "Seeing it"?
Is this possible? Sure. You can learn about a game or film from others who have seen it and form your opinion based on that. Your own argument may seem undermined by this but not all "bad experiences" need to be done in person to know that they are bad. We have learned from others that we don't want those experiences ourselves.
For example, I never had to play Duke Nukem Forever to know it was going to be a bad game and one I would not want to play. I had watched others play it online and read many reviews and knew from my own experiences in media production that a project that changed hands so often and took that long would not be anything great.
Same with Dante's Inferno which shot itself in the foot with its negative marketing campaign. The only good that comes from it is that people will now possibly get a copy of Dante's Inferno the poem and read it. However watching the marketing and game play videos I knew that it would not be a game that interested me. That type of marketing should be discouraged.
Making Your Objection Known
Going public is the only way to advertise your objection. This can become a double edged sword. The gaming community is full of passion so getting attention by announcing your objection to a game title will definitely get you some feedback. However what good does that really do? The internet is not always the best medium for changing minds or opinions.
If anything something more private may be more effective. Think rationally WHY you object to a game. If it is for something serious that you think is detrimental to society, individual groups or the gaming communities reputation, then provide feedback to the company. These kinds of protests work better than trying to convince other players to not buy the game.
In fact this should happen more often. Sensationalism only promotes the company and gives them attention. It is in a way a weird sort of advertising. Outrage has the opposite affect on the content of games.
Again, the guys at Extra Credits do a good job of illustrating this point in their "Open Letter to EA".
But what if the Game is REALLY Good?
This is where you have to really wrestle with your conscience. Despite the aspects you object to, there might be enough content in the game for you to dismiss it and enjoy a gaming experience. Then you can discuss your game play with friends and on forums etc. However, the game has aspects really upset you and go against morals that you hold dear.
There is going to be no easy way to deal with this. For example, I rented Assassin's Creed Brotherhood to try out. I only remembered watching a review of it and watched a friend play some of it. It looked fun. However, I was lost at the introduction denouncing the Church and Templars. It made me feel uncomfortable, like if I were to play a game or story that relived the exploitation of African Slaves in America. There should be some level of guilt. True. But along with the guilt of "Oh yeah, the Pope was very corrupt back then and the Templars weren't as noble as their creed", it was full of conspiracy theory that was similar to the Da Vinci Code (which I am also not a fan of). I knew that my religion was not going to be portrayed fairly.
BUT, oh my goodness the freedom to run and jump and climb all over the place was so much fun! The views were gorgeous and the motion was fluid. I knew that I could enjoy playing this game but I knew I would not feel good about "winning" this game.
Wrapping it up
When you were younger perhaps your parents monitored what you watched. Now as an adult its up to you to filter your media. Objecting to a certain title should go with your moral compass. Try not to be discouraged if fellow players find your reasons to be "unfair" or "unfounded". It is neither of these things. Developers and the Industry NEED to be held responsible for the media they create. As consumers we should challenge them so that the industry can grow just as film grew. Try to do so as an individual by voicing your concern to developers and to your friends.
