artless processes

The Humans vs. Zombies Tag game at the University of Washington has become a point of controversy following the most recent iteration of the game earlier this Winter quarter. Several instances of rule-breaking (e.g. shooting Nerf darts from the 4th floor of a building) have led a few people to call for an end to the game (UW Daily article). While the game is effectively moderated by the players, who are supposed to report any instances of rule-breaking, there are situations where names cannot be obtained and the infringing players not banned. The administrators of UW HvZT are already planning on cracking down more heavily during next quarter's game (should it be allowed).

What's frustrating about some of the arguments against the game are the claims that the game "makes people violent." This is nothing more than a re-hashing of the "vidoegames make people violent" frenzy the U.S. media absolutely loves to cover. Someone was quoted claiming that HvZT basically "trains people to be assassins." The game no more trains people to be assassins than it trains people to be flesh-eating, mindless hordes.

The game is played with socks and Nerf guns. Future iterations of the game will ban the wearing of masks (fine with me). The UW Police and administration have been on board and informed of every game and event. The game was suspended during President Obama's visit without a hitch. Sure there are occasional disruptions with people running around but does that really hurt anyone? Banning this game will accomplish nothing. By the logic many of the dissenters have presented, we should also ban cars on campus because someone could get hit by them. It's just not worth the risk.