Curse

doinchi · Apr 29, 2008, 02:47 AM // 02:47

GTA IV was released today morning. And already, the media has pounced on it labeling the game as nothing but senseless violence in a box.

Already I've heard people claiming things like "You get points for running over innocent bystanders" and stuff like that.

In Singapore it happened to games like Mass Effect and GTA IV. Mass Effect had one slightly racy scene that got it an M18 label, GTA IV got an M18 Label for "Adult Themes and Course Language".

(In Singapore, they rate games independantly, Mass Effect and GTA IV were given ESRB ratings of M17+, but that wasn't good enough here apparently, so they created a new rating, M18.)

So, fine rate it M18. I can wait one more year to play a video game.

But why, why do they have to completely bastardise it in the newspapers and TV and Internet. For one can't they just see the time and effort that was put into making a good game.

Violent movies like Pulp Fiction have been given great reviews and have cult followings. I haven't seen anyone complaining about that. I think this is called double standards.

So, how do you feel about what is happening to GTA IV now?

Brianna · Apr 29, 2008, 02:51 AM // 02:51

Meh, the only thing that kills people is people.

Why do they attack the game, attack the people who are playing it, obviously if they are over-obsessive with it and play too much, and are influenced by it, they have a problem.

I will play GTA IV, I can care less about what they do, once I have it then it doesn't matter.

azzer20 · Apr 29, 2008, 02:53 AM // 02:53

it's religios morons and weaklings who says these things, nothing else, i find that i LACK violence, where is my family so i can kill them, if i get a child, i wnat to be able to shoot, strangle, poison it, and so on, it LACKS violence to truely shine.

Tyla · Apr 29, 2008, 02:56 AM // 02:56

Figures.

Now for something completely different!
You listen to Goldie Lookin' Chain?

Jumping Is Uselss · Apr 29, 2008, 03:01 AM // 03:01

Im not surprised. The media loves to play the "blame game" on violent video games. Look at all the last 3 GTA games they have been called out for being too violent. Its so funny that no matter how hard the media informs the people of how "bad" GTA is for you its only feeding its popularity.

For me I love the GTA series, I can separate reality and virtual easily. However I can see the people's concern of its violence/sex and how it will affect kids. But what kind of parent will buy their kids GTA:IV, ffs look at the ratings pls. Its your fault for buying your kid a MA rated game. And from my understanding most stores selling GTA:IV only sell to people 18+.

Tyla · Apr 29, 2008, 03:03 AM // 03:03

Meh, I've been watching and playing things like that since I was like 9, Jumping.
I'm still harmless.

azzer20 · Apr 29, 2008, 03:06 AM // 03:06

hmm, it's a 16 years req in Russia ;O

ZenRgy · Apr 29, 2008, 03:35 AM // 03:35

Australia got their version toned down. >: omg importan tiem.

Unlucky Slayer · Apr 29, 2008, 03:43 AM // 03:43

http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20080428

This one fits pretty well.

arcanemacabre · Apr 29, 2008, 04:15 AM // 04:15

Where was the outrage back when I was playing Carmageddon and Postal? Man those games were 2x worse than any of the GTA games, but because they weren't as popular, they're relatively ignored. "You get points for running over innocent bystanders"? So what! In Carmageddon you got extra style points for how you ran over pedestrians, such as a "Piledriver Bonus" for smashing them between your car and a wall. In Postal, you light people on fire, then after they run around screaming for a bit, you can piss it out. It was always fun to throw cow heads infected with Anthrax at people, too.

Pssh, GTA IV is child's play. BTW, I'd like to think I'm pretty normal after being exposed to this stuff. In fact, if I ever wanted to blow someone's brains out, I've video games as an outlet for that. If anything, it helps!

doinchi · Apr 29, 2008, 05:06 AM // 05:06

What irks me so is that whatever you consider the worst in the game, murdering innocents, protitutes and shooting police officers can be partially, if not totally avoided.

You are not forced to do these things. The articles in the newspapers said nothing about getting points for running over innocents and yet I hear stupid people coming up with crap like that!

I have played the previous GTAs and I love the whole open world freedom. I will get GTA IV as soon as I get the chance for sure.

wetsparks · Apr 29, 2008, 05:13 AM // 05:13

It's funny how there are really violent movies and they don't get this kind of shit and a video game does. Hell, uber violent movies get celebrated. For everyone out there, I own guns, I shoot guns, there is nothing remotely similar to shooting a gun in a video game and shooting a gun in real life (except the visual of you holding a gun in a game).

Yuhe Ji · Apr 29, 2008, 05:35 AM // 05:35

The thing is, the people who go out to shoot others were probably not mentally sound in the first place. A game is not bad because it "influences" people to do things. I could argue Barney influences people to violently attack mascots or something. But I don't have any proof. It is all in the person's mind, not in the game.

wetsparks · Apr 29, 2008, 05:56 AM // 05:56

About the title of this thread, and I quote Larry the Cable Guy, "Guns don't kill people, husbands that come home early do."

Dev121 · Apr 29, 2008, 06:03 AM // 06:03

Who cares what the media thinks?

ITS GTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

some guy · Apr 29, 2008, 06:23 AM // 06:23

Meh, retarded politicians and so called "experts" that know nothing about games. It's not even worth getting mad about anymore.

Tosha · Apr 29, 2008, 07:46 AM // 07:46

I once attended an interesting lecture about that subject. The guy giving the lecure stated that with every new medium, people go crazy about "the influence on young people". With television, cinemas, etc..., the "experts" got wild. It will pass, I suppose. In a year or 10, when someone has invented a new medium people can worry about.

Redfeather1975 · Apr 29, 2008, 08:07 AM // 08:07

Yeah, the people will lay off video games once virtual reality cinema rape strangler 2 becomes popular.
We are easily manipulated is the problem. Such pitiful weak willed incomplete sacks of puss we are.
Cheery thoughts.

Etta · Apr 29, 2008, 08:26 AM // 08:26

I just picked up the game this morning while on my way to work, thanks god I pre order. It sold out already in my area. Now I'm just sitting here in my office looking at the time, 7hrs to go. QQ

Might fake a headache so I can get off early.

Lord Sojar · Apr 29, 2008, 09:16 AM // 09:16

Watch out, Jack Thompson will be all over this faster then you can say "Jack Thompson is a bastard!"

This being the same guy that said "The hero you play in Counter Strike is idolized by many and Counter strike is used as a killing simulator, used by murderers to train to kill people."

Pardon me, but where is this hero in Counter Strike, and where can I sign up to play him?

Oh, same guy that called Halo, "A Public Nuisance"

And same guy that said "Grand Theft Auto is a plague to society, and it and games like it will lead any one of those naive 'gamers' to go on killing sprees. Children and impressionable, and this type of game will quickly turn them into the next murderer on the nightly news."

Right... because we don't have brains. We are mindless zombies... Must kill pedestrians with my car.... must.... Seriously, Jack Thompson needs to be hit by a bus.