Virtualgirl's Blog :: Not Everyone Loves GTA - Interview with the Parents Television Council :: DESTRUCTOID

Brian Keljore says:
(# 0) on 04/30/2008 08:59

Honestly, I stopped caring about much of what he had to say when he said that R rated movies are less of a concern than M rated video games. I feel that exposure to either will have the same impact on a child. Then again, I never really like the PTC because it's another organization that shifts blame away from the parents. If a parent does not want their child exposed to M rated games or R rated movies, it should be up to them to censor what the child see, not some group of bureaucratic blow hards. There are laws in place that keep people of certain ages from purchasing/renting/seeing the things they harp about. Enforce the laws in place, do not place more restrictions. I don't want to buy a game wrapped in black plastic so the kids can't see it (a la pornography).

MaxVest says:
(# 1) on 04/30/2008 09:26

"[W]e feel – and I am not a constitutional scholar – but from those I have talked to, we feel that this can stand up to the muster with an approach... where they set their own rules – and the government steps in with enforcement. The ESRB right now is setting the rules for the industry. If we could have them continue to set the rules and just have the government enforce their rules, we think that could work”

As director of what is essentially a lobby, McKiernan owes it to his group to be more educated on this point. Very (very) basically, if the government wants to censor or rate speech, it must do so itself and not farm out the responsibility to a private corporation that cannot be held politically accountable for its actions.

MINOR THREAT says:
(# 2) on 04/30/2008 09:37

Kids should not be able to play this game. Shame on any parents that buy this for their children. That being said, Nobody's gonna tell me as an adult, that I can't buy or play it. I haven't played the MP yet, but I am looking forward to a minimum of squeakers in my headset.

NightDehumidifier says:
(# 3) on 04/30/2008 10:09

My argument is it shouldn't be restricted by children, it should be restricted by all. It's just not a fun game. If you want a fun game, best bet is to invest in something like Contra 3 or Stranglehold.

Tragic Hero says:
(# 4) on 04/30/2008 10:39

At least these kids have to go out and buy the game one way or another. Has anyone ever browsed through late night television ? Plenty of sex and violence shown everywhere and in the reach of any kid who can reach a remote. And yet these redneck parents and ignorant officials feel the need to continue to attack video games.

king3vbo says:
(# 5) on 04/30/2008 10:56

I agree in that it's not a game for kids. Not at all. If I had kids, I would never let them play GTA4.

Now as an adult, I get to play whatever I want.

NihonTiger90 says:
(# 6) on 04/30/2008 11:19

The PTC isn't much of a credible organization anymore. At least not in my eyes.

Orionsaint says:
(# 7) on 04/30/2008 11:27

How about the role of parents in keeping mature Hollywood movies out of their kids hands?

Grand Theft Childood, already did a several year study that proved there's no link between child violence and gaming. In fact not letting your child or teen play video games is a bad thing. They feel left out and have no outlet for their anger. So they shoot up some place. So that, we the gamers win. Parents 0!

Big Z says:
(# 8) on 04/30/2008 12:05

"“This brutally violent video game must be kept out of the hands of children..."

Yes, I agree. That's why the game is rated M, for Mature; you know, audiences of 17 years or older.

"...and we are calling on all major retailers to reconsider any decisions to sell this game."

Why? When has broad censorship ever been a positive thing?

"Since the first version was released in 1997, the Grand Theft Auto series has lowered the bar for graphic and grotesque video game content,” said PTC President Tim Winter."

Wouldn't Grand Theft Auto, with its "constant graphic violence and sexual situations" be raising the bar for graphic and grotesque video game content? It's not enough for a head shot anymore when you can traffic with prostitutes and summarily execute them with a crowbar post-coitus.

mistic says:
(# 9) on 04/30/2008 14:23

What an amazing article...

allthough I have to say that the interviewee didn't get all his facts straight... I mean it was never Rockstar's idea to have the 'Hot Coffee' available for the users AND it didn't include a simple code but actual hacking of the game...

I agree totally with his idea that kids shouldn't play GTA-style games, I wouldn't let my (future) kids play it either... As for the legislation, they can do it, but only if they leave the M-rater and AO-rated games available for us :-)

P3T3Y says:
(# 10) on 05/01/2008 13:18

especially since many more kids are buying and playing games
KIDS DO NOT HAVE MONEY. KIDS ARE NOT CONSUMERS. PARENTS PURCHASE VIDEO GAMES FOR THEIR KIDS. PARENTS WHO PURCHASE INAPPROPRIATE GAMES FOR THEIR KIDS AND THEN COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR CONTENT ARE IDIOTS.

If Target were to be selling pornographic magazines, they would keep them covered and would keep them behind counters or in special sections where they would control access to them
Every Target/Circuit City/Best Buy I've been to keeps their (high profile) games in a case that requires an employee with a key to open.

An M rated video game is a bigger concern than an R rated movie
I'd rather let my children play a GTA game than watch a movie like 'Hostel' or the 'SAW' series.

The current movie rating system has a lot of problems There's no standard set in place, it's an arbitrary system implemented by people who don't have any sort of credentials. (See 'This Film is Not Yet Rated')

I can't stress how asinine I think this "argument" is. M rated games should not get in the hands of those who they were not intended. Retailers who carry M rated games should be required to give purchasers written discretion stating the reasons why a game may be M rated that must be acknowledged (read: signed). Giving something to somebody to sign would be more effective than just asking for identification in my opinion.

The PTC is a joke, like B. Keljore said in his 1st post, "it's another organization that shifts blame away from the parents". God forbid people take some fucking responsibility upon themselves.

Orionsaint says:
(# 11) on 05/05/2008 17:37

How come liking a violent video game is glorifying violence, but liking a violent movie isn't? So you control a game, but watch a movie, but if you're getting amusement from a watching a violent scene in a movie. Isn't that just as disturbing? No one can shoot someone with a controller pad, ya know? I think the BIG problem is the weird GAME. Until we stop calling them video games. Will never get rid of this kids and violence stigma. I think we should officially change the name of video games to video simulators. Lets test it out.

Hey did you buy that new video simulator?

I own a lot of video simulators

I'm gonna go buy a video simulator

Orionsaint says:
(# 12) on 05/09/2008 05:36

Yeah not everyone likes it. Everyone being the ignorant people