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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
LeonSK at 03/04/2008 11:46
Once again, idiotic dinosaurs rear their ugly heads.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 03/04/2008 11:48
I SAID GIMMIE YOUR MONEY FUCK FACE!!!
razerangel's Avatar
razerangel at 03/04/2008 11:50
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
Lightthrower at 03/04/2008 11:51
I hate kids.
Geoff's Avatar
Geoff at 03/04/2008 11:51
"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
Blommen at 03/04/2008 11:52
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
The-Excel at 03/04/2008 11:53
Closing down Destructoid will stop the internet from being enjoyable.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 03/04/2008 11:57
"Which entirely nulls the possibility of influence going around full-circle, right?"

Because kids need an influence to be fuckheads, right?
BigPopaGamer's Avatar
BigPopaGamer at 03/04/2008 11:59
I'm still renting it and letting my little cousins play it. Maybe they'll get some ideas from it.
Mizruko's Avatar
Mizruko at 03/04/2008 11:59
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
Dr Milkdad at 03/04/2008 12:07
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
The Incredible Edible Egg at 03/04/2008 12:07
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
Trowble at 03/04/2008 12:10
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
Sharpless at 03/04/2008 12:11
LOOK WHAT YOU DID, YOU LITTLE JERK.
Geoff's Avatar
Geoff at 03/04/2008 12:11
"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
AlucardX24 at 03/04/2008 12:21
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
DrXym at 03/04/2008 12:22
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
The Incredible Edible Egg at 03/04/2008 12:22
@ 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
Jim Sterling at 03/04/2008 12:24
"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
Geoff at 03/04/2008 12:25
I was asking a simple question, and Jim respectfully responded. I don't think we need your input on this.
Snaileb 's Avatar
Snaileb at 03/04/2008 12:25
I'll never stop my wankery.
Aerox's Avatar
Aerox at 03/04/2008 12:26
I'll never stop my wanking.
Geoff's Avatar
Geoff at 03/04/2008 12:33
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
Remo at 03/04/2008 12:38
I hate children.
As far as im concerned your not a real person until you hit puberty.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 03/04/2008 12:38
"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
Wookiee at 03/04/2008 12:43
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
MechaMonkey at 03/04/2008 12:43
How many Amish bullies are there? None.

Video games are fun, but only if you worship Satan.
Nyteshade's Avatar
Nyteshade at 03/04/2008 12:45
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
BlackSheep at 03/04/2008 12:49
news report, children turning gay because of over the rainbow achievement.
Silverhertz's Avatar
Silverhertz at 03/04/2008 12:53
Theres 3 kinds of people - dicks, pussys & assholes. Same applies with kids.
DanGale's Avatar
DanGale at 03/04/2008 13:01
@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
weedgan at 03/04/2008 13:03
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
CelicaCrazed at 03/04/2008 13:20
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
vexed alex at 03/04/2008 13:23
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
Samit Sarkar at 03/04/2008 13:33
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
Projectexodus at 03/04/2008 13:48
Ugh, wonder what our generation will freak out about when we're in charge?
NihonTiger90's Avatar
NihonTiger90 at 03/04/2008 13:52
What is this "bullying" you speak of? I've never heard of it before.
DarkTetsuya's Avatar
DarkTetsuya at 03/04/2008 13:54
@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
Miike at 03/04/2008 13:58
@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
Cowboy TTop at 03/04/2008 13:58
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
mix at 03/04/2008 14:16
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
Anus Mcphanus at 03/04/2008 14:19
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
PrinceofCannedPeaches at 03/04/2008 15:08
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
Dexter345 at 03/04/2008 15:18
Has anybody mentioned to these people that they're like two years too late?
Kyousuke Nanbu's Avatar
Kyousuke Nanbu at 03/04/2008 15:44
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
ShadowKirby at 03/04/2008 15:59
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
Clockwork at 03/04/2008 16:35
Mr. Destructoid is starring in a new game coming out this fall entitled "Rape"
grrza's Avatar
grrza at 03/04/2008 17:10
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
Vanima at 03/04/2008 17:30
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
Spykron at 03/04/2008 18:13
"peaceful school yard utopia" is where i barfed and stopped reading.
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