Ban Grand Theft Auto?

[Clarkmeister]

For those who don't know, the Grand Theft Auto series of videogames is a sales juggernaut. You take the role of a vengeful criminal trying to survive in the underworld. It is essentially a game without boundaries as you can kill, steal or destroy just about everything in the game.

I might add, it is very freaking fun and incredibly well done.

There is a lawsuit now pending to ban the game:

http://tinyurl.com/2zn8t

An article in the NY Post, in their typical understated style comments on the lawsuit. One particularly entertaiing section from the article:

"You can kill a cop, steal his gun, and then use it to shoot someone else. Or you can pick up a prostitute and have sex with her in the back of your stolen car, then beat her to death - or shoot her, bludgeon her, whatever you want.

In fact, "whatever you want" is what the game is all about. Thanks to its artful and complex programming and its incredibly realistic graphics, the game creates the impression of being inside a totally unscripted, live-action drama in which you can manufacture your mayhem as you go along.

People, this is insane. This is 10,000 times worse than the worst thing anybody thinks Michael Jackson ever did to a little boy - or than any lie the feds think Martha Stewart ever told them, or any line in any song that Bruce Springsteen ever sang that rankled a cop in the Meadowlands."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12292003/business/14640.htm

[Il_Mostro]

Is this guy serious? Seems to me the whole article is written in jest of the moral panic that shoots up all over the place these days.
Somehow I doubt the jest part though, I suppose he really is serious... I specifically like the "This is 10,000 times worse than the worst thing anybody thinks Michael Jackson ever did to a little boy" part. Playing a comp. game is worse than, well, than anything really... get a grip dude

And "And trust me when I tell you, Mr. Mayor, what Take-Two Interactive is blowing into your face every day is a whole lot worse than second-hand cigarette smoke. " Hmm, how many people has the game killed so far? Get two grips, dude

[Clarkmeister]

"how many people has the game killed so far?"

One if you believe a game can "cause" children to act out on what is portrayed within the game.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2003-11-11-gta-lawsuit_x.htm

I agree that these types of lawsuits are a joke though.

[Il_Mostro]

[ QUOTE ]
"how many people has the game killed so far?"

One if you believe a game can "cause" children to act out on what is portrayed within the game.


[/ QUOTE ]

I don't belive that, but that's not really the point, as you say... So, maybe it killed one (very doubtful) and second hand smoke has killed how many..? It's almost unbearably silly...

[Vehn]

These types of lawsuits historically get thrown out immediatly.

[nycfish]

it's debatable if 2nd hand smoke is actually bad for you. but intuitively it makes sense that it does and nonsmokers(myself included) are certainly in favor of banning public smoking. It makes good politics.
Did a quick internet search and this guy talks about it. http://www.davehitt.com/facts/ as well as http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7398/1057
i have no idea nor any reason to have any idea but thought i would put out there that even things that seem self-evident evidently aren't.

[Zeno]

If you could destory the whole friggin planet during this videogame, I might even considering purchasing it.

The lawsuit matter is the usual unending drivel from the mind control crowd.

-Zeno

[Cyrus]

You can't ban anything whose time has come. The mere fact of its existence (along with its success in the marketplace) indicates that we are ready for it. GTA would be unthinkable even only ten years ago. But here it is now, unstoppable, unsuitable (legally and socially) and as sure a sign of out times as any.

Getting paid and admired for being a murderous sociopath -- hey, this is not such a novel idea, after all!

[Jim Kuhn]

You should get bonus points for taking down lawyers, judges and politicians. You should also get bonus points for picking up Ray Zee to help you with your mission.

[ArchAngel71857]

I personally love this game. I played it. I didn't go out and kill anyone. I did run over a hooker to get my money back though.

Seriously, if this video game is so bad and is selling so much, why would you try to ban it? It is just going to make more people want it. I'll be the first to admit I wouldn't let anyone under 16 play it, but banning it? Why not ban the movie Kill Bill? Or Lord of the Rings? Yes, that movie is violent. Violence against computer-generated orcs is still violence. Even if Aragorn drives over a computer-generated orc hooker to get his money back.

The game is fun. Yet, I heard some study about playing violent video games increases your heart rate and blood pressure. HA! If I need to relax, I play Grand Theft Auto. Drive around, do some missions, off some people, drive over some hookers and get my money back.

You want to talk about a video game that encourages violence? Madden. I have broken 3 controllers and the glass door on my tv stand. Why? Because some jackoff ref picks off Samari Rolle so backup QB Alex Van Pelt can throw a 72 yard bomb to Bobby Shaw. Just thinking of that makes me want to kill a hooker and take back my $ 50 I paid for half and half.

-AA


P.S. or any line in any song that Bruce Springsteen ever sang that rankled a cop in the Meadowlands

You talk trash about the boss you die!

[Schneids]

The government simply cannot allow any banning of videogames. On June 26, 2002, I wrote an editorial for a website I was the editor in chief of. Read this, and you'll see the hypocrisy the government will have to face up with if they ever support any legislation or court decision to ban a game:

"A New Can of Worms" - By Mike Schneider

Every so often, it seems that various issues touch off new media and public condemnation of video games. Five to six years ago, it was the widespread attacking of videogames by Senators Liebermann and Kohl. A few years back, the known love for Doom by Columbine killers Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris sent another wave of controversy stirring within the public. Now, in another month, the US Army appears ready to spark another issue.

First, some background for those unfamiliar with how the US Army relates to anything videogame related: In recent years, Army recruiters have found that with the passing of a generation of veterans who’ve seen active wartime duty, armed forces recruiters have few resources with which to communicate about Army life to a younger generation.

Likewise, it is quite obvious that technology plays an increasingly large role in the lives of youth.

Put two and two together, and the Army is where it is at right now: Nearing the release of its “America’s Army” PC game. Starting in August, it will be available for download at http://www.goarmy.com/aagame/index.htm. In addition, free copies of the PC game will be in dispersal within many magazines, and gamers may request for the Army to mail them a copy of it for free.

You can bet that this game will receive plenty of publicity. It’s free, after all. And the Army is pouring a solid 8-million dollars into this gaming project.

So then, back to the beginning: We’ve lived in a country that has a very vocal group of citizens that oppose violence in videogames, and we have an armed forces that is essentially using a violent videogame as a recruiting tool.

How the media will react to this is anybody’s guess… They could be totally supportive: all things considered, the country has been extremely united since 9/11. If one opts to view this game as a tool of recruitment, and one is not a pacifist, then one will certainly be in favor of the military’s endeavors.

However, with so many opinions and so many interest groups and sectors within society, things will not work out as prescribed above. It is almost a guarantee that there will be people upset with the idea of tax dollars having paid for the army’s videogame project… a project that promotes violence, warfare, and citizen involvement. Moreover, one may note the hypocrital nature of our government – one that has its anti-videogame stance, but yet in this time of need uses videogames to try to promote its armed services.

Having not specifically defined my own stance let me first point out why this all even matters for video gamers: for those who are anti-censorship (and likewise, for those who enjoy “mature” games), giving the extremists more things to quack about is not a good thing. And with this upcoming Army game, we’re doing exactly that – they’re going to make a fuss about a government institution contributing to a cause that they do not support.

Hopefully, history will repeat itself and government induced censorship can be averted once again by the gaming industry. An interesting thing to note, however, is how much more scary this issue could have been… Al Gore was a black box or two away from being voted into office, and along with him, would have been Liebermann. Yes, the same Liebermann who previously pursued videogame censorship. Thankfully, this isn’t the case and Bush and Cheney and the conservatives will likely make no legislative enactments to significantly affect the way we recognize the gaming industry, despite the fact conservatives are viewed to be more "traditional." Strangely enough, it has typically been liberals riding the game-censorship train.

“America’s Army” itself is divided into two separate experiences: “operations,” which is a first person shooting game with the intent of simulating battle and strategic-warfare situations; and “soldiers” which simulates daily life in the military. Unconfirmed reports specify that the Army plans on porting the game to all major consoles, as well, while still offering it for free.

If nothing else, it will be interesting to see if this game is able to spark any increased interest in the Army. Like it or not, it is a “propaganda” attempt by the Army. However, I hardly find this repulsive -- since ultimately, if a person uses this game as the end all source for deciding whether to join the Army or not, then they probably are better off either joining or fleeing for Canada. It is free, and there is the choice of not playing it – so condemning the Army for its “propaganda” is like condemning a musician for releasing a remix compilation. Don't like it? Then avoid it...
_________________________________________


Interesting enough, I don't ever remembering the media making a big deal about this game. I really figured SOMEONE would be a little upset about millions of federal dollars being spent on a VIOLENT and REALISTIC videogame that was designed to be used as a propaganda tool.

[Vehn]

[ QUOTE ]
GTA would be unthinkable even only ten years ago.

[/ QUOTE ]

Er you do realize this is the third in the series, right? The first (http://www.gamespot.com/ps/adventure/grandtheftauto/review.html) was released over 5 years ago. The only reason it wasn't released earlier is because the technology wasn't good enough.

[Cyrus]

"You do realize this [GTA] is the third in the series, right? The first was released over 5 years ago. The only reason it wasn't released earlier is because the technology wasn't good enough."

I wrote that GTA III/Vice City would be unthinkable 10 years ago, not 5. Do you remember what was the most violent and all-round "anti-social" videogame in the market in 1993 ?

[Al_Capone_Junior]

[ QUOTE ]
Getting paid and admired for being a murderous sociopath -- hey, this is not such a novel idea, after all!

[/ QUOTE ]

Pretty soon serial killer will be a legitimate career choice!

Basically, you are right. GTA's time has come, and it's unstoppable. Some social prudes would still have playboy magazine blocked, yet ultra hardcore porn continues unabated despite their protests. As long as GTA is not being sold to minors, it's going to keep selling, and selling well. I've seen the game, and it's probably best tho that it's not sold to minors.

I think there's already a lawsuit over the game, someone claiming it drove someone else to commit a crime. the suit will ultimately fail. Judas Priest was sued over the song "beyond the realms of death." Parents said it drove the kid to commit suicide. the suit failed, of course. Metallica wrote "fade to black," another suicide song. Wonder if there are any failed lawsuits over that one.

al

[Al_Capone_Junior]

The episode of the Simpsons where they go to itchy and scratchy land says it all. That sub-section of the simpsons has always put the middle finger "up" to those who oppose TV (or videogame) violence. Gotta luv it.

al

[ArchAngel71857]

Do you remember what was the most violent and all-round "anti-social" videogame in the market in 1993 ?

Duke Nukem?

-AA

[Vehn]

[ QUOTE ]
Do you remember what was the most violent and all-round "anti-social" videogame in the market in 1993 ?

Duke Nukem?

-AA

[/ QUOTE ]

Mortal Kombat? Ripping people's head's off with blood flying everywhere?