The Grand Theft Auto series pisses people off, you say? Well, imagine that. The latest in the line of the mortally offended is the head of a Malaysian consumer rights organization, who has called for a ban of GTA and otherly similarly violent games. This movement comes shortly after the murder of a Bangkok cabbie, which was swiftly linked to the fact that the nineteen year old who committed the crime was a GTA player.
Mohamed Idris, president of the Consumers Association of Penang, shared commentary in the Star Online:
It was recently reported that the Thai authorities have banned a computer video game known as Grand Theft Auto... Violent video games and television programmes have previously been linked to expressions of violence and aggression in young viewers. It is time for the authorities to act.
If this particular video game is available in Malaysia, CAP calls on the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs to immediately halt its sales and ban this game. The Ministry should also warn the public and any stocks that have already been sold should be recalled.
CAP also calls on the Ministry to initiate immediate measures to weed out similar games and halt sales and also their use in video game arcades.
I don't overreact to seeing games blamed, partially because I am used to it and partially because I can understand the desire to stop violence. However, focusing the hatred on games alone hardly seems fair -- when have kids not imitated what they saw on television, in films or in games? You can't wipe every provocative source of entertainment available off the face of the planet, as much as some people would like to.
Gamer pride aside, do you feel there's any reason for a move like this?
[Via Gamepolitics -- Thanks, Joe]
Contest:
12:19 PM on 08.08.2008
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Classic.
problem, SOLVED.
to sell it to young idiots
because then they cant blame GTA. they will only get what they deserve.
cmon!!
im 22
and every gamer i know who has my system {PS3}
is my age or older
these little kids shouldnt be able to get it
seriously im sick of little spoiled kids
doing crime and blaming GTA or any game
Anyway, I'm curious. How many people here can actually find Malaysia on a map? I can't without looking it up. :(
Grand Theft Auto? In MY arcade? Only if it's at least a two player side scrolling beat-'em-up where you get to play as both Niko and Roman. When his super bar is charged up fully, Niko pulls out an AK-47 and kills all enemies on screen! Roman rears back and bellows BEEEEEEG AMERICAN TEETEEES and restores his and Niko's health to full. Ingenious!
High gas prices? GTA.
The War? GTA
Bush being a terrible president? GTA.
GTA is obviously a tool designed to overthrow the world.
It's absolutely true. GTA is why I got laid off from my last job and why I keep getting the chick with no ass for lap dances at the strip club.
damn kids.
GTA MUST BE STOPPED!!!
Also, in case people don't realize: GTA IV is the basis for EVERY sex crime depicted in Law and Order: SVU. Truth, we swears it.
stop denying it you guys! Video games ARE responsible for every bad thing in this world! If it wasn't for MS Flight Simulator, the bad osama-pilots wouldn't have been able to practise so much :p