If there is one thing that disgusts me above all else about people who blame the actions of criminals on videogames, it's the fact that they provide a twisted sense of justification for the scumbags who rob, rape and murder. Making them feel like it's not their fault, that they can just blame a videogame, is a dangerous and irresponsible practice that the anti-games lobby enables, and the lawyers of criminals are pretty wise to it.
In New Zealand, a defense lawyer has argued that Grand Theft Auto made Tim Reid beat a police officer and steal his car. Somewhat successfully, too, as the judge actually agreed:
[Reid] committed violent offences and compulsively played Grand Theft Auto. Mr Nicholls said a video game that showed violence toward police was a public safety concern, with the game promoting the behaviour...
Wellington District Court judge Denys Barry jailed Reid for five years... He said Reid was hardwired for violence and anti-social behaviour and programmed by his recreational pursuits.
Is this really what we want from society? Criminals being made to feel like they're not responsible for their actions? I believe that allowing a person like Reid the freedom to feel like he wasn't completely to blame is far more dangerous than any videogame. This, however, is what certain people want -- it's never enough to let a criminal take responsibility in this day and age, it always has to be someone else's fault. Those who perpetuate the justification of criminal behavior in this way should be ashamed of themselves.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
9:50 PM on 05.30.2008
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And it wasn't because of GTA that made me violent. Hell they dont even have drop kicks in the game.
^fixed
Eh, it had better not be San Andreas again...
It's just one rung below the Chewbacca defence in effectiveness
"Mr Dalmer, you have no reason to claim any type of innocence for the crimes you have commi..."
"I played GTA once"
"Parole granted, as long as you stays the hell away from Video Games."
I wonder what Jack Thompson and his ilk have to say about the scores of violent criminals whom they've given a now legitimate excuse for their crimes.
they shouldve asked him if mommy every hit him or if daddy was every there
Anyone who has ever played a GTA knows this to be the opposite, and from the point of San Andreas and onward, engaging in such activities will get you torn the hell up.
At exactly what point during his six star rating, while being run over by a tank as a missile lands on him during an incoming hail of gunfire, did he think it would be a good idea to engage in this kind of practice in real life?
That's the question I would ask as a judge.
I think it was probably Reid's heavy use of methamphetamine and underlying psychological disturbance that made him easy to program. Did the judge comment on this??
Also, @Voloman, you don't get a jury every time you go to court, you can request one, but judge's do a lot of the judging themselves. This is essentially a thievery and assault charge, albeit against a police officer.
I need time in the Jacuzzi after this one. Ridiculous!
poor Australia.
We're handing more and more power to the parasites of this profession on a daily basis.