NY AG Spitzer Goes After 'Grand Theft Auto'

[george_w_snatch]

Popular Video Game Instructs Players to 'Kill the Haitians'

http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0405/bushell.php

State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer appears to be gearing up for a look into the concerns of civil rights groups over a popular video game instructing players to "kill the Haitians."

In "Vice City: Grand Theft Auto," a member of an organized crime group advances in the underworld through commission of violent acts. Originally developed by Rockstar Games, a wholly owned subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.—both companies are based in New York City—the game has sold over 11 million copies.

--snip--
" 'Vice City' violates state civil rights statutes, and that investigation will be conducted by the attorney general's office."

--snip--

http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0405/bushell.php

[george_w_snatch]

1. bump

[ButterflyBlood]

2. hopefully someone will actually PLAY THE GAME

and see how this is taking something way out of context and goes beyond making a mountain out of a molehill.

[Jacobin]

7. I played it and was disgusted

My then 12 year old wanted to buy it. Went to a store and the manager asked if it was for me or for my son. Said it was for my son. Manager says, you might want to check it out before you buy it. (good on him).

I rented it and played it. It's a fun game, I'll grant you. The part about shooting civilians and cops like a gangster, pulling a car into an alleyway and screwing a prostitute and the general mayhem of the thing convinced me that this was not the kind of crap I want to surround my brain with (much less my son's brain).

I'm against censorship and don't think the government should screw with this game. However, I'm glad the store manager let me know that it should be checked out before buying it for a teenager.

[ixion]

3. well, that's a big waste of time

I wish these people would stop worrying about movies and video games and get there head in the real world!

Geez. :eyes:

[Heyo]

4. I can't believesomeone is back on GTA's case again..

Haven't people figured out how moronic they look when they do this?

Heyo

[FlashHarry]

5. Uh, in Vice City, "the Haitians" are a gang.

Arch-rivals of the Cubans. Incidentally, the leader of the Haitians instructs the main character to 'kill the Cubans,' too--but I guess they left that part out... The main character is basically a Ronin, like Toshiro Mifune's character in Kurosawa's Yojimbo.

This is utter bullsh*t. If they don't like it, they don't have to play it. I respect AG Spitzer, but this is pure politics.

[FlashHarry]

6. Does this change your views on Spitzer?

Just curious. I'm disappointed, but I still think he'd make a fabulous AG in the Kerry/Edwards/Clark/Dean administration.