GTA argument

Sheaf · Post by **Sheaf** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:06 pm

Ok, after watching Richard and Judy while eating tea with my parents we ended up getting into the age old GTA argument about whether the game is moral and should be allowed.

Of course my parents think that the game is sick and wrong and should be banned, and obviously I think it's fine, as long as kids dont play it etc.

The problem came in justifyng my argument. They were going on about the whole killing prostitutes thing, which I didn't see a problem with. After all it's only a game, and it's a laugh. However my dad posed the question of why is that ok to have in a game, when having paedophilia in a game would be wrong?
I was having trouble coming up with a response to this. Both are wrong to do in real life, but child abuse IMO is wrong to have even in a game, while killing innocent by people isn't.

Can anyone else help me out here... I still think I'm right, but I'm having trouble justifying it.

I tried to make the point that there are films about killing etc, why is a game different, but in the films they are always made out to be bad, while in GTA it's you, and you get away with it.

Alex

Post by **MarkCoupe** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:22 pm

Its just a game.

Post by **IrishRover** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:36 pm

I think they should ban violence and crime in real life so that then these sick perverts wouldn't have any inspiration to make a game out of it.

I think the answer to your question is though that paedophilia is extremely taboo, so that you can't be seen to be "for it" in any context, even if it's not real.

Post by **MarkCoupe** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:48 pm

(sorrry alex for my shortwinded argument) Basically it does come down to the fact its a game, in halo2 theres nothing i like more than zooming my sniper scope in on my mates heads and popping them off one by one , thewn laughing as they respawn and wonder where the fook they were shot from, but obviously id never dream of doing it in real life, as in real life its affecting someone , in a game it isnt.

Tallbloke · Post by **Tallbloke** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:52 pm

Same arguement applies to any "shoot em up" game....

Also why are games like need for speed underground allowed - street racing is illegal but does that arguement crop up no.... Its a game - a way to unwind and relieve stress.....

dirty ti · Post by **dirty ti** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 8:08 pm

i get streesed out playing need for speed coz im rubbish at it so i put gta on shoot some cops do some missions turn it off and forget about it. if people take a game outside of the tv and console there is deffinately something mentally wrong in the first place.i wouldnt suggest letting under 12s play or watch something like gta as for the swearing in it.

Post by **SubCat001** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 8:25 pm

I just watched that. My parents & Grandad(between the ages of 65 & 96) love the game lol!! Thats because they see it as it is, a black humoured game.

Richard & Judy took the game completely out of context and took biased stance. They wouldn't even let that chick of Bitz talk. GTA violence is pardoxical of western morality. The simple fact is that all games offer the player an escape from the constraints and stress of reality. Child abuse is at the extreme end of taboo. It wouldn't be exceptable because of this, let alone who would actually buy it.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 9:12 pm

Heh, just get your fake Uzi out and fire some blanks at them, that'll really send them over the edge on this debate :wink:

Mule · Post by **Mule** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:58 am

i think it all comes down to the society we live in today.. 20 years ago this kind of game would have never be allowed bunt nowadays people just accept that this kind of thing happens everyday and is less taboo

A game about child porn today would be completely unacceptable for many reasons... and almost certainly will never be made.. not least because you have to be 18yrs old at least to take part in anything pornographic..

Theres no children or animals to kill in GTA though (other than the seagulls) so at least they drew the line somewhere

dirty ti · Post by **dirty ti** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 2:03 am

you can kill the seagulls? ill give that ago.bored as ive done everything nearly just need some snapshots to complete.

rover220coupe · Post by **rover220coupe** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:52 pm

What annoys me more is when a game like this is rated "for adults only", but then the parents go and buy it for the sprogs! Would they buy an 18 rated DVD? Don't see what the difference is.

Sheaf · Post by **Sheaf** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 7:10 pm

Yeah, they probably would buy an 18 rated DVD. I wasn't allowed to watch unsuitable films at early ages, however most of my friends were, watching Alien at the age of 9 etc. Funny thing was I was the only one who never used to have nightmares, I wonder why.

I still think that GTA is fine, and it's great fun. However I am slightly concerned about what the future may hold, and what other crimes will be permitted in games. I mean, will the next GTA include rape? That would be sick and wrong, but they aren't exactly far off now.

I saw another program a while ago about this kind of thing, apparently a couple of kids in america git bored playing Halo, so decided to take pot shots at cars on the freeway with one of their dad's rifles. They killed a few people.

Post by **SubCat001** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:35 pm

Sheaf wrote:I still think that GTA is fine, and it's great fun. However I am slightly concerned about what the future may hold, and what other crimes will be permitted in games. I mean, will the next GTA include rape? That would be sick and wrong, but they aren't exactly far off now.

I dont see that parallel. Games are only another media, like books and movies. IMO GTA is actually quite restrained it could be far more brutal and graphic.

Sheaf wrote:I saw another program a while ago about this kind of thing, apparently a couple of kids in america git bored playing Halo, so decided to take pot shots at cars on the freeway with one of their dad's rifles. They killed a few people.

The thing is was it playing Halo that inspired them to take pop shots at traffic or bad parenting & an unhealthy fasination with firearms? Take the columbine shootings. Just before they went on the rampage they went 10 pin bowling. Does this mean that downing of the pins inspired them to down people?? Its so much easier to blame music, movies, books & video games then look to the real causes

dirty ti · Post by **dirty ti** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 2:03 am

i doubt gat would ever involve rape.the only thing on it is having a girlfriend or having a bonus of a prostitute which we get over in the uk anyway if you look in the right places....not that i have.the future for gat is going to be more interactive such as climbing ladders going up lifts talking to people in sentances etc.if it ever does involve rape i doubt id ever buy it.maybe rent or borrow to see the gameplay as the same for alot of people.i think we should end this discussion with there not being anything wrong with an over 18 game or dvd or video as they put at that rating for a reason and if the children still manage to play it or watch it it is they that are at fault and i know it is hard as im a parent myself but that is why there is parental ratings and guidence's!!!

Post by **SubCat001** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 3:18 pm

The thing is games aren't cheap how do kids get the Â£30-40 to buy them??

Post by **IrishRover** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 6:45 pm

SubCat001 wrote:The thing is games aren't cheap how do kids get the Â£30-40 to buy them??

They probably mug people or go on the game or whatever. :lol:

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:30 pm

Anyone ever played Michael Jackson's Moonwalker on the megadrive? now that is disturbing LOL. You just go around saving little girls who say "thanks michael" everytime you get one out the boot of a car, bizzare!

Sheaf · Post by **Sheaf** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:31 pm

dirty ti wrote:iif it ever does involve rape i doubt id ever buy it.

So basically mass murder is ok, but rape isn't.....

Post by **SubCat001** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 9:12 pm

Sheaf wrote:
dirty ti wrote:iif it ever does involve rape i doubt id ever buy it.

So basically mass murder is ok, but rape isn't.....

Mass murder of polygons is a bit different to simulating rape. Rape would take it to a more personal level. TBH its a bit pedantic to suggest a comparrison. Look at GTA and you will see that the player doesn't kill any innocents with a personality. Dont forget thatquite often you dont actually kill anyone, the Ambulance turns up, they get up and go about their daily routine

Post by **SubCat001** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 9:13 pm

Scott wrote:Anyone ever played Michael Jackson's Moonwalker on the megadrive? now that is disturbing LOL. You just go around saving little girls who say "thanks michael" everytime you get one out the boot of a car, bizzare!

I had it on teh C64 hated it. Think i only played it a couple of times.