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Banning Bully will make children magically stop being evil wankers photo

Big shock -- Bully: Scholarship Edition is released today for the Wii and Xbox 360 and right on cue, here come the parade of prehistoric scaremongers who want to see it banned under that age-old veil of protecting the children. Oh save the children, because it's not like they invented bullying in the first place!

Various groups representing a collective four million teachers worldwide have united to try and stop retailers selling Rockstar's controversial game in which schoolboy Jimmy Hopkins tackles bullies in a way that actually works, instead of telling ineffective teachers who have no power to stop kids being the nasty little shits they actually are.

Emily Noble, head of the Canadian Teacher's Federation, thinks that retailers should be responsible, because of how damaging to an otherwise peaceful schoolyard utopia games can be. "What it does is it encourages kids to target other kids, to be a bully with other kids," warbled Noble, who seems to believe that children are angels. "This doesn't help us as teachers in the work that we're doing at school. It also targets teachers at the school as well." 

It amuses me that people who work with children the most seem to have it in their heads that kids are innocent little flowers until outside influences corrupt them. Having both a working memory and a young sister in school, I am more than aware of what cruel, spiteful, amoral little shits children can be. The idea that they need a game to encourage bullying, a practice as old as mankind itself, is not only wrong, but completely and utterly laughable. 

At least Michael Hoechsmann, the professor who recently labeled violent games as "barbaric," has displayed a modicum of intelligence. "As tempting as it may seem, I'm not so certain that banning this will somehow result in a more peaceful and more loving school population," he added, and quite rightly too. 

Children are evil. This game is influenced by kids, not the other way around. Get over it.


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57 comments | showing # 1 to 50

LeonSK's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:46
LeonSK
Once again, idiotic dinosaurs rear their ugly heads.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:48
Mxyzptlk
I SAID GIMMIE YOUR MONEY FUCK FACE!!!
razerangel's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:50
razerangel
There was a story in the papers today about a kid that was drunk and off her tits on drugs that randomly murdered a mum and son. Yeah kids are little fucking angels right enough :P!
Lightthrower's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:51
Lightthrower
I hate kids.
Geoff's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:51
Geoff
"Children are evil. This game is influenced by kids, not the other way around. Get over it."

Which entirely nulls the possibility of influence going around full-circle, right?
Blommen's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:52
Blommen
Kids have always been and will always be evil little shits. no game is going to change that.

Besides the game is influenced by the school yard and bullying is already a reality...
The-Excel's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:53
The-Excel
Closing down Destructoid will stop the internet from being enjoyable.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:57
Jim Sterling
"Which entirely nulls the possibility of influence going around full-circle, right?"

Because kids need an influence to be fuckheads, right?
BigPopaGamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:59
BigPopaGamer
I'm still renting it and letting my little cousins play it. Maybe they'll get some ideas from it.
Mizruko's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 11:59
Mizruko
I think this may be a first for me but i cant help but feel these guys have a point. Although the game has more depth to it than these guys give it credit before and once again they missed the mark on the severity of this issue by a mile.

But really with a 15 rating theres bound to be a good amount off copy cat injuries inspired by this games content but what action game can't you say that about these days.

Anyway my point being this complaint is along way off the needless witchhunt thats been following the gaming industry round these days
Dr Milkdad's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:07
Dr Milkdad
I saw some promos for this on CTV news in Vancouver. They say that on the heels of the "pink shirt anti-bullying" demonstration, and Vancouver studio is releasing a game where you are the bully.

From what I remember the game was about trying to stop bullying. Like having you ally with nerds and shit to stop bully's.

Whatever, it just looks like they are going to smear the game anyways and tell everyone not to buy it, which will probably have the opposite effect.
The Incredible Edible Egg's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:07
The Incredible Edible Egg
Good thing they played the game and/or researched it knowing the main character isn't really a bully, just someone who got swept up in a series of events and has to defend himself, eventually bringing order to the school (granted, by force)
Trowble's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:10
Trowble
Playing Bully helped me fulfill a childhood void. I no longer crawl into a ball and cry in the shower at night, THANKS ROCKSTAR!

Seriously, this sounds like a same case with Mass Effect, only less side-action titties and more little shit kiddies.
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:11
Sharpless
LOOK WHAT YOU DID, YOU LITTLE JERK.
Geoff's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:11
Geoff
"Because kids need an influence to be fuckheads, right?"

Putting words in my mouth don't exactly help the situation, Jim.

Did I ever say there was a need? It's just astonishing how you can dismiss the entire possibility because one thing might affect another thing.
AlucardX24's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:21
AlucardX24
This guy was probably bullied as a child. This is his way of getting revenge. Too bad he fails once again, get him boys!
DrXym's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:22
DrXym
Jesus, not this stupid issue again. Bully was an inoffensive game that featured a plot and episodes that wouldn't feel out of place in a kids TV show. It deserved absolutely none of the controversy it originally received and certain doesn't need a repeat of it either.
The Incredible Edible Egg's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:22
The Incredible Edible Egg
@ Geoff + Sterling

Wow guys, bitchfest isn't till next month. How about we agree to disagree? Kids are all hopped up on child-grade evilnergy.

Also Jake the Snake started going ape-shit after a few pops and some cookies. Can I blame sugar on being the root of all adolescent evil?
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:24
Jim Sterling
"Did I ever say there was a need? It's just astonishing how you can dismiss the entire possibility because one thing might affect another thing."

I do dismiss the possibility, because I don't believe any bully is going to get ideas from this videogame. Hell, from what I know, kids have evolved far beyond the stink bombs and marbles that are shown in Bully.

You only have to hear the reports of them kicking grown men to death simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time to know that Bully isn't going to make children more dangerous.
Geoff's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:25
Geoff
I was asking a simple question, and Jim respectfully responded. I don't think we need your input on this.
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:25
Snaileb
I'll never stop my wankery.
Aerox's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:26
Aerox
I'll never stop my wanking.
Geoff's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:33
Geoff
Correct, Jim. All a matter of opinion, of course... Though you didn't respond to the 'Did I ever say there was a need?' question.

I don't believe that it's impossible (at least to the point where it makes kids more rowdy/give them ideas), but I believe it's pretty unlikely.

Just as a clarification, I was merely pointing out the logical flaw in your last statement. :)
Remo's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:38
Remo
I hate children.
As far as im concerned your not a real person until you hit puberty.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:38
Jim Sterling
"Just as a clarification, I was merely pointing out the logical flaw in your last statement. :)"

Well, the point I was trying to make was that people try and paint children as these wallflowers of innocence, like they'd never DREAM of hurting another child without an influence, when that's not true. Bully draws inspiration from something that was already there, it doesn't invent the problem, it mirrors it.
Wookiee's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:43
Wookiee
I got bullied in 7th grade. Until I chased a guy down the hall and stabbed him with a sharpened (graphite) pencil. I got suspended, but nobody messed with me again.

The idea that complaining to a teacher will do anything but make the teasing and bullying worse is ludicrous.
MechaMonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:43
MechaMonkey
How many Amish bullies are there? None.

Video games are fun, but only if you worship Satan.
Nyteshade's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:45
Nyteshade
My mother has been a K-3 teacher for over 20 years and I've seen and helped with most of her classes. There's always little shits, and usually they're spoiled and have bad parents.

She was teaching before video games were measured in single bits, and the most worst you did was avoid the Noid, yet there were still little shits back then.

Before there was TV, there were little shits.

Go back much further, and that violence you see in the media was occurring every day all around children.

Blaming violence and mental changes on video games is just ignoring the real forces causing the real problems. Ignore that schools have no mental health support, cops and administrators brush warnings under the rug, administrators ignore the bullying, and then they blame video games when a kid shoots up a school.
BlackSheep's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:49
BlackSheep
news report, children turning gay because of over the rainbow achievement.
Silverhertz's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 12:53
Silverhertz
Theres 3 kinds of people - dicks, pussys & assholes. Same applies with kids.
DanGale's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:01
DanGale
@Nyteshade

"Blaming violence and mental changes on video games is just ignoring the real forces causing the real problems. Ignore that schools have no mental health support, cops and administrators brush warnings under the rug, administrators ignore the bullying, and then they blame video games when a kid shoots up a school."

And people say gamers are immature. That is by far the most intelligent statement on the matter and correctly labels the root of the problem.

Jim is right too. These games are influenced by kids, not the other way round.
weedgan's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:03
weedgan
There was this one time this kid was making fun of my buddy in 2nd grade, so I popped him in the nose.
CelicaCrazed's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:20
CelicaCrazed
What have the Ontario Teachers done for me besides run my Toronto Maple Leafs into the ground!? It's their own fault that little Leafs fans get picked on by little Sens and Habs fans whose teams are amongst the best in the league. What is a Passion for us is only an "investment" for them.
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:23
vexed alex
I can't believe it's teachers who are up in arms. These idiots are educating our children?

Can this country get anymore fucked?
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:33
Samit Sarkar
Yeah, I was in grade school long before Bully ever came out for the PS2, and I endured plenty of bullying. The professor you quoted is absolutely right: banning this game is not going to turn the world’s children into angels.
Projectexodus's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:48
Projectexodus
Ugh, wonder what our generation will freak out about when we're in charge?
NihonTiger90's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:52
NihonTiger90
What is this "bullying" you speak of? I've never heard of it before.
DarkTetsuya's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:54
DarkTetsuya
@Egg:

re...search? Isn't that where you make shit up as you go along? Wait no that's just what they did. Nevermind...
Miike's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:58
Miike
@Alex

Your Canadian?! Teachers are not known to be cutting edge.

Parents need to put the Parent back in PARENTING. You know how you don't buy your kids cigarettes, porn and alcohol? Yeah put M rated games on your list.

Fact: Most Ontario Teacher's children are in private school.
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 13:58
Cowboy TTop
The uninformed masses feel the need to get up in arms, instead of investigating the game properly. No at all shocked by that revelation.

Once again, the public fail to educate themselves and blindly give Rockstar the blame. If anything I applaud Rockstar for creating Bully, to highlight the issue of bullying in a positive fun light, which occurs not just in schools but in other walks of life too.

This feels like the dark ages, if you aren't sick from the plague you must be a witch and the root of evil.
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 14:16
mix
Miike,

I agree some parents (lots) blow chunks at being a parent.

When I was growing up my mom wouldn't let me play certain gory games or watch certain movies (with bewbs) and I turned out FUCKIN FINEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeAieieneojnekljbnkmbGNWEOIGHSEOYI GhgfhdjhLFMNASD :FUIO:SHDGO JKSDNGFLJKASDNf;sdgihasdf; gljshg a'sdhg
Anus Mcphanus's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 14:19
Anus Mcphanus
Why is anyone surprised by this? and didn't this happen the last time bully was released? but more importantly...

This is a re-make/re-release Why complain when the game has been out since before last Christmas?! and look how quickly all these people forgot about it....guess they were too busy watching Mass Effect porn

It just goes to show that people are indeed stupid.
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 15:08
PrinceofCannedPeaches
Actually, I think they failed to realize the premise of the game. They think it's a bullying simulator, or that Jimmy Hopkins will magically morph into Carl Johnson mid-game and start eating prostitutes alive with Worcestershire sauce.
Dexter345's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 15:18
Dexter345
Has anybody mentioned to these people that they're like two years too late?
Kyousuke Nanbu's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 15:44
Kyousuke Nanbu
I'm currently 24 and I'm still dealing with the heapings of trauma that high school threw at me, most of those kids came single parent homes, broken homes and some where just shit heads.

They didn't have games to influence them, they where just like that, kids are horrible little shits and a game isn't gonna do anything, neither to influence them or get them to stop.

Bullies only understand one thing and that's the very thing they use, violence, as soon as I started hitting back they moved on.
ShadowKirby's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 15:59
ShadowKirby
Somebody should release a game called Mass Murder but the whole game would be about picking flowers. Let,s see how many people will try to ban the game only because of the name.
Clockwork's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 16:35
Clockwork
Mr. Destructoid is starring in a new game coming out this fall entitled "Rape"
grrza's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 17:10
grrza
Bully is so freakin' tame compared to any actual bullying that happens irl. How any can hold the delusion that kids might get ideas from it is laughably ridiculous. I mean, c'mon: preppy boxing clubs? greasers? taking over an entire school or town? riiiiggghhhhhtt.
Vanima's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 17:30
Vanima
Ugh. I mean really. I got bullied a lot when I was a kid, all the way up through my senior year in high school. The main person that did the bullying got kicked out for a few days when I actually did tell a teacher and then what happened? The bullying got worse, to such a point that I was always extremely nervous and worried when I was anywhere near him, even when he wasn't bullying me. It doesn't take videogames to make kids like that. It takes bad parenting and a system that lets things like that slide with no real punishment or correction.
Spykron's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/04/2008 18:13
Spykron
"peaceful school yard utopia" is where i barfed and stopped reading.
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