With this update on October 20, 1995, a position paper by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association is presented.
Further, Chiropractic OnLine Today, with thanks to Dr. Gary M. Guest (DrGuest@aol.com), c/o Chiro-List, contacted Nintendo via Email and is now publishing the following reply from a Nintendo representative.
It’s interesting, instructive, and a bit unsettling to hear kids talk about these games. They discuss in great detail their hero’s best moves, and how "cool" it is when their hero kills the opponent, with bones cracking and blood splattering.
The fighting between these action characters has increasingly grown more violent and graphic, to the extent that many video games of this type are now rated "Teen." The idea is that a child should be at least 13 years old to purchase or rent these videos. But who’s checking? And of course how do you keep younger children from playing or being influenced by these graphic scenes of violence and death once their older siblings bring the game home?
The latest hot video game seller/rental being played by tens of millions of kids is "Killer Instinct." "Killer Instinct" not only depicts numerous forms of mayhem with animated blood flying with every punch, but also includes a "danger move" called "Chiropractor." This move shows the character hero, Combo, grabbing the head of a vanquished opponent and twisting it until the neck is broken. This move can only be performed after the opponent is on the brink of death.
The ICPA is concerned about violent video games and their influence on our impressionable children. Games like "Street Fighter," "Mortal Combat, ‘ and "Killer Instinct" depict acts of violence that could encourage imitation by children. The ICPA believes that game makers should be liable if a child is seriously injured by another child using "moves" learned or inspired by these games.
The ICPA is particularly concerned about the "Chiropractor" move used in "Killer Instinct." The forceful twisting of a child’s neck by an untrained person can of course cause serious injury. The ICPA calls for the immediate elimination of their "danger move" from the game.
The ICPA warns all parents against allowing their children to play games like these. If a game has to be rated because of "animated violence" or "animated blood and gore," it should not be played by children. The ICPA further cautions parents to monitor what video games their children play, and what those games may potentially teach their children. The ICPA is against any video game that promotes violence against children.
Write Nintendo and voice your concerns about their violent video games and the use of the danger move "Chiropractor" in "Killer Instinct." Call Nintendo customer service at 800-255-3700, or write to : P.O. Box 957, Redmont, WA 98073.
The immediate goal is to get Nintendo to discontinue the "Chiropractor" move in their next version of "Killer Instinct," and to send the message that exposing our children to such violence is not in anybody’s interest.
Subj: Re: Killer Instinct
Date: 95-10-19 17:40:33 EDT
In the game itself, there is no reference to "chriopractic", (sic) "chiropractor", "adjustment", or "chiropractor death move" or even "death move" in any element, either audibly or visually, in the millions of frames of content with in the game. In addition, there are no scenes or images in the game which suggest a medical setting or any treatment or action by a chiropractor.
In the Instruction Booklet that accompanys the product, there is a single reference on page 16 as follows: "Danger Moves: MP = Chirporactor". Since we appreciate and respect the concerns you have expressed, in response we will modify future editions of the Instruction Booklet. In future editions, we will remove the word "Chiropractor" from page 16. Please be assured that no other references to chiropractors are contained in the Instruction Booklet pages or in the game display itself.
Whether it be chiropractic care or the contents of a video game, we realize that ignorance and fear can raise many unfounded concerns. We're sorry if you feel that a singular reference in a game manual may impact the chiropractic profession, as it was no (sic) our content.
Thank you for taking time to express your concerns.