MADD attacks 'Grand Theft Auto IV'

News Type: Event — Seeded on Thu May 1, 2008 1:24 AM EDT

Article Source: Associated Press - Google

us-news, video-game, drunk-driving, madd, rockstar-games, reality-game

" Mothers Against Drunk Driving wants a stricter rating on "Grand Theft Auto IV."
This game allows the player to drive drunk, and has a mature rating. Players have the option of trying to drive drunk, with blurry vision and the controls are more difficult; they also have the option of walking or calling a taxi.

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{"commentId":1753271,"authorDomain":"patsym546"}

patsym546

The organization is calling on the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, the independent organization that assigns video-game ratings, to reclassify "GTA IV" as an Adults Only game.

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#1 - Thu May 1, 2008 1:26 AM EDT

{"commentId":1753276,"authorDomain":"patsym546"}

patsym546

Any thoughts of maybe when the players find out they can't drive well drunk, as in they crash or get killed or arrested, maybe this would help cut down on drunk driving-instead of encouraging it? I am not advocating the game-I don't personaly like any game which exploits the various acts of violence as in this game-but what I like or don't like isn't the point-the point is people do like this game, and it will be a big seller. But will it help change violent behavior, and in particular drunk driving...or will it encourage and increase it?

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#2 - Thu May 1, 2008 1:28 AM EDT

{"commentId":1753285,"authorDomain":"patsym546"}

patsym546

http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/04/29/grand-theft-auto-tech-personal-cx_mji_0429gta.html

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#3 - Thu May 1, 2008 1:33 AM EDT

{"commentId":2479254,"authorDomain":"rhysinator"}

Rhysinator

I seriously question the grounds on which MADD is attacking GTAIV. What is this 'Drink Driving' element of the game doing that is not already part of everyday life? The whole game has a new, and praised, 'chioce' feature, where tha player has the option of resoving something by doing something 'good' or 'bad'. This is has followed through into this aspect; the player has the choice of simply hailing a cab, or walking, OR driving with very impaired reflexes; the amount of times the player crashes whilst drunk is a clear indicator of a moral in this part of the game; GTA says 'Drink and drive, and you will crash'.
Just as in real life, the player suffers serious consequences, such as arrest or death. The player acknowledges te likleyhood of these outcomes, and will most certainley conclude that drink driving is dangerous, illegal, and thusly they will not do it, both in real life AND in the game.
And least the didnt have to do it in real life to find that out; it was all emulated for them in a simple video game.
I think it discorouges Drink driving in real life, that's my opinion.

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1 vote

#4 - Sun Aug 17, 2008 10:12 AM EDT

{"commentId":2480744,"authorDomain":"patsym546"}

patsym546

I also refer back to parental control-when did monitoring commitees become the substitute for parents? If you don't like the game, dont buy it, or dont let your child play it. That is like refusing to allow stores to sell cigarettes, cause you dont want your kid to smoke. Teach them not to smoke, and why; monitor and what they are doing; discipline them and know where they are .Without parental influence and control, we will be outlawing sex, driving, and many other things-we dont want our kids to do. In terms of 'role models"- I tend to agree-as I said I dont like violent games. But I dont call to ban them-I call for parents- play with, watch, teach, observe- and yes, they can see the consequences of poor choices. On it's own, that may not be ebough for some kids-but with family values, life skills, andparental tachings.it should be.

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#5 - Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:35 PM EDT

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	MADD attacks 'Grand Theft Auto IV'	Associated Press	Wed Apr 30	0
	What's so fun about 'Grand Theft Auto'?	msnbc.com	Tue Apr 29	55

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