Groups Warn Over Violence In GTA IV - PSP3D.com - Sony PlayStation Portable News, Homebrew, Hacks, Reviews, Videos, Mods, Forums

jsf · #1 (**permalink**) 04-29-2008, 01:53 PM

The game just came out and people are already started on GTA IV which is BS if you ask me. Check it out:

Quote:

Groups Warn Over Violence In GTA IV
Video Game Release Expected To Be Biggest Ever

People lined up late Monday night to get their hands on a newly released video game that some believe depicts excess levels of violence.

"It's just fun, it's an adventure game," one gamer told Philadelphia television station WCAU.

But in a city plagued with shooting and violence, Philadelphia police said Grand Theft Auto IV is more just a fun game. They believe it influences the way some people act.

The game clearly states it contains blood, intense language, partial nudity, strong language, sexual content and use of alcohol and drugs. Some parents and politicians are very opposed to this series of games.

"The parents should know whether or not their children know the difference between a game and real life," one woman said.

Another gamer supported the new game, saying "you get to run over cops and kill people."

Many gamers who bought it the minute it went on sale said the $60 game is fantasy and shouldn’t be confused with reality.

In fact, some even said it's a good way to keep people out of trouble, but Baltimore psychiatrist Mahmood Jahromi isn't so sure.

"The exposure to videos aggressive or sexual nature has a lot to do with the child's formation of his perception of the real world around him and his responses to his behavior to other people," Jahromi told Baltimore television station WBAL.

Jahromi said teenagers and some adults might negatively affected by the violence and sexual content in the game. He said it can be a stronger influence than watching the same type of content on television.

"There is more harm in the video games in the way that there's active participation in the game process," he said.

People must be 17 years old or older to purchase the new game, and parent groups are calling for retailers to make sure children younger than 17 don't get the game.

"This brutally violent video game must be kept out of the hands of children, and we are calling on all major retailers to reconsider any decisions to sell this game," Parent Television Council president Tim Winter said. "Since the first version was released in 1997, the Grand Theft Auto series has lowered the bar for graphic and grotesque video game content."

On its Web site, the National Institute on Media and the Family encouraged parents to exercise discretion when purchasing or renting the game for their children.

"Parents should watch what their kids watch and play what their kids play," the statement said. "Parents should also discuss with their children when it is appropriate to play games."

Winter said that stores must check the identification of those buying the game due to the rating.

"Legally, stores cannot sell children pornographic magazines or handguns -- but they can legally sell video games to children that contain pornographic content or that teach children how to kill," Winter said. "This is wrong, and retailers should ensure that unaccompanied minors are prevented from purchasing Grand Theft Auto IV: Liberty City."

Record Opening Expected

Despite the graphic violence in the game, the game is expected to break records for video game sales.

Analysts predict the game from Take-Two Interactive Software and Rockstar Games will easily top last year's record-breaking $300 million first-week sales of Microsoft and Bungee Studios' first-person shooter "Halo 3," which came with a marketing bonanza that including a Burger King tie-in, special flavor of Mountain Dew and a commercial directed by Peter Jackson.

John Riccitiello, chief executive of Electronic Arts, told the Financial Times that movie executives have told him they fear the game could "kill" the movie "Iron Man," which is released on May 2.

"I don't think I've ever heard of that before," he said. "There's a big reset happening now."

Paul Dergarabedian, chief executive of Media by Numbers, told the Financial Times that the release of GTA IV could help "Iron Man"

"Gamers buying GTA IV are going to be talking about the game and they're going to be talking about the movies and the movie they will be talking about is Iron Man," he said.

Source

I think people need to lay off GTA. It's not actually hurting anyone

dorkdork777 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-29-2008, 02:03 PM

Hahahahahahahahahahahahhaha!!!!

Hahaaa hahahaha!

Hahahaha. Haha.

Ha. Ha.

OK, now I've calmed down a bit, let me explain my point. Look at any case of people assaulting another that was blamed on games. The bad guy will always have some sort of mental illness, or had been beaten as a child. Or, they're simply retarded. But games shouldn't be blamed for people's backgrounds or stupidity.

Side note - got GTAIV in the post a few hours ago. Great game.

dq9 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-29-2008, 04:11 PM

I say people need to F off. It's a freaken game for crying out loud!

jsf · #4 (**permalink**) 04-29-2008, 04:40 PM

I agree 100%

iamstrange14 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-29-2008, 06:39 PM

lol.
i laughed at

Quote:

Some parents and politicians are very opposed to this series of games.

jsf · #6 (**permalink**) 04-29-2008, 11:56 PM

Yeah they are like stating the obvious

Gamer420 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 04:31 PM

LOL!!!

WOW, people still don't get it.... They need to learn from the past that they don't need to blame the video games for their wrong doing... I mean com'n ppl get with the "BIG PICTURE". :P

jsf · #8 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 01:09 AM

I agree. it's not thye video game's fault. People need to lay off