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Rockstar's Next Game Draws Protesters
Rockstar's next title, Bully, has already come under fire from anti-bullying groups. Activists have taken it up another notch, though, by demonstrating outside of the NY Rockstar offices. They've also laid out a list of demands to the game developer, hoping to get the company to change its ways. The Peaceoholics demand Rockstar "Not to release Bully under any circumstances, Volunteer to sell its violent and sexually explicit games in adult video stores only, Let parents return Grand Theft Auto for a full refund until they do a national awareness campaign to educate parents of content and possible effects, Create a fund for victims of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and car-jackings, etc, Make a national apology for misleading and lying to children, parents, and legislators about their intentions and causing insurance premiums to sky rocket, Give a written response within five business days of receipt of these demands" Press the Buttons has commentary, and uses some words I'd like to myself.
Karma be damned! I'm pissed now!
Okay, first off, who is this group to think that they have some kind of moral obligation to place demands on Rockstar that must be answered within five days? What are they going to do if Rockstar ignores them, as I hope they will? Stage another protest with even more demands?
Secondly, I want to congratulate them for increasing by an order of magnitude my desire to purchase both Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Bully when available, even though I will probably let them sit on my shelf unopened, as amy way of showing support for Rockstar.
These people need to realize that we gamers are a much more powerful force, financially speaking, than they are with their holier-than-thou moralism. They're giving Rockstar more advertising than they could have possibly imagined. If only such arrogance and desire to force their morality could be harnessed...
Listen, Peaceoholics, you are more than welcome to create your own gaming company that offers a line of products that are much more rooted in your personal morals. I have no doubt that you will sell millions of games, as long as they're entertaining and of a marketable value. Until that time, Rockstar that the right to sell whatever products the core gaming populous (males aged 18-35) want to purchase. Deal with it.
The Overrated mod is for reversing inappropriate, positive mods, not for voicing disagreement with a post.
You are correct, in the game you are the one being bullied.
But the point of the games is to fight back against students that bully you, and teachers that harass you. You perpetuate violence against these bulles - both students and teachers.
I don't claim to know everything about the game, but I do know the general idea. I hate to bring this up, its often used as a scapegoat analogy, but do you remember Columbine? These were not bulles, these were people being bullied. The violence against the teachers and students is similar to what is being promoted in this game.
As I said before, I will most likely play this game. I will also probably enjoy it. But the fact is, Rockstar is using a socially-controversial topic to create their game. I think its hilarious, but I'm also aware that this helps give the video game industry a bad rap. Thus, my statement about the demonization of video games. Which, I stand by.
With all the sensationalized stories about bullying in schools, children committing suicide due to being harassed, etc. do you really think its wise to make a game like this?
;)
I think it's a great idea to make a game like this. Of course according to the reviews I checked out (below) it may bring forth even more lawsuits against rockstar. The premis is you're a kid who's picked on by bullies and teachers, you're not the bully, maybe they can lash out on their console instead of going apeshit and killing classmates. However since more schoolkids will be able to RELATE to this game, yes, it could be trouble.
As a troublesome schoolboy, you'll laugh and cringe as you stand up to bullies, get picked on by teachers, play pranks on malicious kids, win or lose the girl, and ultimately learn to navigate the obstacles of the fictitious reform school, Bullworth Academy.
PS: As one person said (and pointed to in their journal, games like this can be terribly fun and terribly thereputic. When I have a bad/stressful day, The Punisher is the best damned release there is
People are just protesting because they need someone besides themselves to blame. If you kid is going behind your back to play a Mature game, take the power cord for the computer/video game console to work with you... I'm not saying carry it around with you at work.. I'm saying put it in your vehicle and do what you need to do... it takes -1- minute and you garuntee your kid wont be playing games without your consent for the day... Rockstar is NOT to blame.. it's the Stores kids buy them at, or the parents whom are to blame (if not both, sometimes) Rockstar clearly shows the warning ESRB tells it to place on it's game... And stores are supposed to ID kids who buy "M" rated games.... Parents are supposed to buy most of Rockstar's games -- if it'll end up in the hands of minors... and therefore have been warned. Rockstar did it's part, It's free from any legal (or social, in my opinion) obligation to warn the public. If my truck gets stolen, and they find out it's some GTA-psycho... I'm not blaming rockstar, I'm blaming the kid (or his parents).. I'm NOT going to go after Rockstar.. I'm going after the person (or the kids parents)... Just my 2 cents.. Go ahead and attack me for speaking my mind, it's your right to do so... arn't you glad you have freedom to choose?