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Games Irrationally Connected To Violence

GamePolitics reports on a story of confusion and misunderstanding in Florida. A flyer made from the Zombie Survival Guide was found near a school. Police have, naturally, leapt to the conclusion that the makers of the flyer are threatening violence against schoolchildren and are videogame players. From the article: "Although the Democrat reports that 'Zombie' is a video game, GP is not so sure. There are plenty of games based on zombies, of course, but we can't recall a single one actually named 'Zombie.' 'This underscores the importance of parents knowing what their kids are doing online,' school superintendent Bill Montford said. 'This should be a wake-up call to parents. Students shouldn't be involved in games where people are being shot.'"

59 comments

  1. It's crap like this... by Thalagyrt · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's crap like this that makes me ashamed to live in Florida. Not only do we have idiots like Jack Thompson, but we have horrendous schools, idiotic school boards, and an idiotic government. Arrggh!

    --
    Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo!
    1. Re:It's crap like this... by clydemaxwell · · Score: 1

      Agreed, I'd move if I weren't too lazy to look for another job. haha.

      --
      Browsing with classic discussion, noscript, at -1 and nested
      no hidden comments and I only mod UP
    2. Re:It's crap like this... by Jafafa+Hots · · Score: 1

      no shit. I just moved down here and am horrified to learn that people like Brian Blair and Rhonda Storms are trying to set the policies in my nieces' school district - policies based on stupidity, hatred and intolerance.

      I've pretty much decided after 6 months that I'm moving out of Florida as soon as I have a chance.

      --
      This space available.
    3. Re:It's crap like this... by EternityInterface · · Score: 0
      Don't forget soccer moms. I was listening to HVSC, and liked a tune from Ultima IV, looking it up I found:
      Richard Garriott has stated that he began writing this game when he realized (partly from letters of enraged parents) that in the earlier games immoral actions like stealing and murder of peaceful citizens had been necessary or at least very useful actions in order to win the game, and that such features might be objectionable. Furthermore, organizations like BADD were drawing attention to the supposedly satanic content in role-playing games in general, and the demonic nature of the antagonist of Ultima III was a good target.
      And BADD just happens to be "a one-person advocacy group dedicated to the elimination of the famous role playing game Dungeons and Dragons" created by a mom who's son suicided. Exactly the same as Columbine, but it's what to expect in a society educated by TV, and what does it censor? - rock n roll, games, movies.
      --
      the sun is god
  2. Drugs by Gr33nNight · · Score: 3, Funny

    Maybe the government should sue Nintendo for all the kids hopped up on mushrooms.

    Oh wait....

    1. Re:Drugs by Ironsides · · Score: 1

      Namco, Pacman, Raves + Speed/Pills.

      --
      Fly me to the moon Let me sing among those stars Let me see what spring is like On jupiter and mars
  3. WARNING! by Dr.+Bent · · Score: 5, Funny
    Your children are at risk! While browsing online, they may be exposed to many forms of humor, including parody, sarcasm, and even irony. Most parents are unaware of the dangers these pose. Symptoms of exposure include:

    1. Sassing and Talkback
    2. Uncontroled Laughing
    3. Creative Impulses
    4. Original Thoughts

    Your child could be reading The Onion at this very moment...exposing thier tiny, unformed brain to a world of raw, hardcore comedy. Take action now! Before it's too late!
    1. Re:WARNING! by ThreeDeadTrolls · · Score: 1

      Then are are most children encouraged to watch political debates and procedings?

    2. Re:WARNING! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Again:

      Symptoms of exposure to political debates include:

            1. Sassing and Talkback
            2. Uncontroled Laughing

      Not the last 2, though:

            3. Creative Impulses
            4. Original Thoughts

    3. Re:WARNING! by ThinkingInBinary · · Score: 1

      Oh, if ONLY I had MOD POINTS! That is so true. I should make posters that say that and post them at public schools around my city. ;-)

    4. Re:WARNING! by FuzzyDustBall · · Score: 1

      Ha not to worry a little Ritalin will take care of all those problems.

  4. Quotes... by Bogtha · · Score: 4, Insightful

    All these people in a position of authority being quoted talking about something they know nothing about... it reminds me of Brass Eye, where celebrities and politicians (is there a difference any more?) were filmed warning about the dangers of a fictional drug called "cake" that affected an area of the brain called Shatner's Basoon, and warning people that paedophiles were using an area of the Internet the size of Ireland. They unquestioningly accepted what they were told and were happy to lend their own authority to the matter by repeating it to the public, merely because it was in the name of a good cause.

    I think the quality of journalism would skyrocket if one simply thing were to happen: people who don't know what they are talking about should just be quiet.

    --
    Bogtha Bogtha Bogtha
    1. Re:Quotes... by kalleguld · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yea, well what do you know about it?

      --
      Sigs are bad for your health
    2. Re:Quotes... by rwven · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This would instantly lead to the obliteration of political talk shows of both conservative and liberal genre's. I've come to the informed opinion that political columnists and talk show host don't have a flipping clue about the real world and the real people out there living in it. They let you get half your rebutting sentance out, then trash you non-stop until you are forced to hang up on them or are hung up on. -RV

    3. Re:Quotes... by Mahou · · Score: 1

      what do you know about what he knows about it?

      --
      if i'm not immortal, what's the point of living?
      ...te?
    4. Re:Quotes... by mattgreen · · Score: 1

      This would improve the overall quality of communication anywhere, especially here.

  5. Look on the bright side by voice_of_all_reason · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's not like banning games, movies, or books will stop teenagers from disobeying authority. They already come equipped with special organs to do that!

    1. Re:Look on the bright side by lupinstel · · Score: 1

      I don't have an organ, I am only a pianist you insensitive clod!!

      --
      Don't blame me, I voted for Cthulhu.
  6. 40-odd years of zombie movies... by Kelson · · Score: 1

    ...and they don't get the joke? Please, someone rent these people a copy of Shaun of the Dead .

  7. School's out forever? by sckeener · · Score: 1

    Maybe the kids were working on an ad for the monthly geek boardgame day and were going to play the new Zombie game called School's Out Forever....

    though if I were the police, I'd be worried about underage drinking. I know for a fact that beer makes the Zombie game better.

    but then again what doesn't beer make better?

    --
    "Only one thing, is impossible for god: to find any sense in any copyright law on the planet." Mark Twain
    1. Re:School's out forever? by Supurcell · · Score: 5, Funny
      but then again what doesn't beer make better?
      Court appearances?
    2. Re:School's out forever? by Fr05t · · Score: 1

      "Court appearances?"

      For which attendee?

    3. Re:School's out forever? by dyslexicbunny · · Score: 1

      Rohypnol, aka roofie

    4. Re:School's out forever? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We all know what rohypnol is, jackass.

  8. Nipped in the bud by Supurcell · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's a good thing they caught this one so early. I would hate to think about the hate crimes that would have been committed against the living-impaired if they let this horrendous flier keep circulating.

  9. This is just wrong by FidelCatsro · · Score: 4, Funny

    Zombies are not people , they are the living dead . Perhaps controlled a parasitic virus or an ancient sorcerers curse.
    how to shoot Zombies is something all children must learn , I would far rather my 240000 kids learn how to blow their heads off with a shotgun than have the lot of them get infected and turn undead themselves.
    These moralists are endangering all the nations of the world , we must educate our children now or risk the Zombie plague.
    I HAVE SEEN IT , just watch Night of the living dead, it could happen people .
    We are in a zombie amber alert , vigilance will secure our liberty.

    --
    The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
    1. Re:This is just wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Zombies are not people

      Totalitarian dictators always use the technique of demonising the minorities in order to gain public support for wiping them out. Hitler did it with the Jews, and now you are doing it with Zedkind.

      First they came for the zombies, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a zombie.
      Then they came for the werewolves, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a werewolf.
      And when they came for me, there was nobody left to graah for me.

    2. Re:This is just wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Wouldn't it make more sense to demonize their own soldiers instead of minorities? Imagine how effective demon soldiers would be at controlling the populace!

    3. Re:This is just wrong by Saint+Jimmy · · Score: 1

      Z-Day is coming man. I am prepared, I'm glad you are too. I have my carbine rifle and dirtbike ready for the day and took my katana to a Catholic priest to get blessed and dipped in holy water. My friends and I all have our survival plans outlined for Z-Day. I pity the fool who thinks Z-Day is silly, paraniod nonsense.

      This would be funnier if I weren't serious...

      --
      To alcohol and cigarettes and Mary-Jane to keep me insane doing someone else's cocaine
    4. Re:This is just wrong by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 1

      "[...] vigilance will secure our liberty."

      I agree. In fact, I was reading in the New York Post how they've discovered that the NSA is eavesdropping on all Americans who could potentially be Zombies or Zombie sympathizers. NSA Satellites listen to phone conversations and anyone who says "Brains" on the phone will be investigated by the FBI.

  10. Conversely by Karem+Lore · · Score: 1
    One could argue that if one shouldn't be partaking in video game that shoot people then the requirement to bear arms is mute and unnecessary. Ergo, the constitution of the USA (I am British) is irrelevant and should be abolished.

    Good luck in getting the US citizens to agree to that one...

    --
    When all is said and done, nothing changes...
    1. Re:Conversely by faloi · · Score: 1

      It's not a requirement to bear arms (except in Texas), just a right.

      --
      "It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education." -Albert Einstein
    2. Re:Conversely by Impotent_Emperor · · Score: 1

      In most places, during the the early days of the Colonies, it was a requirement to be armed. People who weren't armed while traveling or at public events could be fined a sum of money. Even slaves were required to be armed by the masters. I believe much of this originates to an event in which Indians slaughtered about one-fourth of a town's population. After that, the idea was to be armed at all times.

      Pacisifists like Quakers protested and exceptions were eventually made for them. The slave-arming requirement was also dropped from many local laws. Over time, more people lost the right to bear arms as they were disenfranchised (they tended to also lose the right to vote around the same time). For voting and arms-ownership, they were requirements regarding land or property ownership.

      Post-revolution, the U.S. Congress passed the 1792 Militia Act which required all able-bodied men to be armed with a military-capable musket and thirty rounds worth of powder and shot. That actually stayed on the books for over a hundred years while muskets became hopelessly outdated.

    3. Re:Conversely by Karem+Lore · · Score: 1

      hence my argument stands...I should have the right, if I so choose, to spend my time brandishing a gun in a video game. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I should have more of a right to do this in a game than I have in real life. We may be influenced by what we play, but to compare that to bringing wrath into the real world is simplifying the issue. If anything, it is weak minds that have the mind already set in the path and games just attenuate the problem. The fact that US have free access to arms means it is just easier to execute. Having said that, here in the UK we don't have free access and armed crime is on a very significant increase, hence something aint working right, but it isn't video games. Karem

      --
      When all is said and done, nothing changes...
  11. Questions... by Firewalker_Midnights · · Score: 1

    How does an old comedy book by an SNL writer become a video game (or at the very least, a video game manual)? Did they not RTFM and just automatically bring up good ol' Vid'agame McScapegoat? These people are supposed to solve murders and they can't even differentiate between a comedy book and a video game? Yikes... I guess I know where to commit crime now (better go practice with some GTA first, though).

    --
    I Lost My Virginity While Waiting for BSD to Compile.
    1. Re:Questions... by catahoula10 · · Score: 1

      Somehow i do not feel safe at night knowing that "These people" can strain an elephant through a straw just to catch a fly.
      RTFM? Some dont even know where the manual is. Scary huh.

      --
      This has been another valuable and informative opinion from:
      Catahoula!
  12. Zombie is a derogatory term by Kelson · · Score: 2, Funny

    The proper term is Undead-American.

    1. Re:Zombie is a derogatory term by Irish_Samurai · · Score: 4, Funny

      The proper term is Undead-American.

      That's just racist. How dare you say we're undead, as if we aren't as good as the dead? Jesus Christ, it even ostracizes us from our bretheren the living. We prefer the more positive term Reanimated-American.

      Only other Reanimated-Americans are allowed to use the word Undead, not the living.

    2. Re:Zombie is a derogatory term by Corbu+Mulak · · Score: 0, Redundant

      I love how this is modded Informative.

    3. Re:Zombie is a derogatory term by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And since you've mentioned Jesus Christ.......I think I recall something about him rising from the grave. Could all of this zombie bashing just be part of an insidious attack on Christianity?

  13. Zombies!!! by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 1

    Perhaps they confused the Zombies!!! card game with being a video game.

    --
    Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
  14. Stupidity... by Ceseuron · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Unfortunate that in this day and age, stupidity is recognized as a form of diversity that subsequently demands tolerance from the rest of us while people speak their minds without actually USING them first.

  15. Indeed.... by TioDweeb · · Score: 1

    When games are outlawed, only outlaws will play games.

  16. It's from a book no less! by neostorm · · Score: 2, Funny

    Quick, secure all your books before they poison our childrens minds with damage and violences!!!

  17. And demonstrating intelligence outside of a job... by hackwrench · · Score: 1

    I've had lots of people explain essentially that because something was their job, it meant they were so much smarter than me, and that I'm not God.

    Oh, and listening to the goings on about you to understand people and how you and they might be a benefit/risk to each other isn't a smart thing to do in their minds. They label it "evesdropping" and is unquestionably wrong in their minds.

    With the lack of vital information that listening in provides, no wonder they're so dumb.

  18. Silly me... by garylian · · Score: 1

    With all the talk in TFA about how everybody took a set of facts and come to a totally idiotic conclusion, I thought we were talking about the President of the United States!

    Could you have imagined how much more damage they could have done if they had included the letters "WMD" in it?

    Of course, this happened in Florida. Most of the residents are too old to care. They are going to each other's place and getting faced and playing bridge. (Lord knows my parents are. That "Mandatory Florida Resident Age" is a killer!)

    1. Re:Silly me... by Supurcell · · Score: 3, Funny
      Of course, this happened in Florida. Most of the residents are too old to care.
      They do care. With their advanced age, they are closer to undeath. When their time comes, they don't want every school child to take up arms against them. Most young people these days just don't plan for the future, and they will pay for it.
  19. Games where people are shot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    One word: Assassins.

    Somehow I think the establishment would frown on the campus wide, continuous game of Assassins that went on while I was in school.

  20. Calling Godwin's law on this one by GeekyMike · · Score: 1

    Hitler did it with the Jews

    I'm calling Godwin's Law on this one. WOOT that means GP is right and Zed Sapiens deserve to die!

    --
    Beware the fury of a patient man
    - John Dryden
  21. Zombies!!! does exist ~_~ by Dafraginator · · Score: 1

    It shows that some people suck at research. I took two seconds on Google searching for "Zombies game" because I remember hearing the name from SOMEWHERE. When I found this like, it dawned on me that one of my friends actually owns this sh***y board game. I understand that they said that it was a video game, but if they're mucking up what the kids claimed the game was, then it's actually a board game. Here's the link for those who whish to check out the game ^_^ http://www.angelfire.com/games/zombiereviews/revie ws/zombiesrvw.html

    1. Re:Zombies!!! does exist ~_~ by Negroiso · · Score: 0
      Well lest we not forget that children are pointless IMHO, no child is special or is a miricle. "Having a kid is no more of a miricle than you eatin' food and a turd coming out of your ass" - Bill Hicks

      I honestly can't believe that videogames are getting as much media attention as they do. Some idiot kids go out and shoot up a highway with a shotgun, or shoot a cop, or run from the police because they saw it in a video game? I think they lost the whole point of GTA to tell you the truth. After I got done playing GTA I wanted to go to the strip club, pick up a hooker, and go have unprotected sex in an alley way.

      Thats about what I left the game with. I don't understand how there are all these orginazations out there saying that we need to ban the selling of this game or that game. You need to watch your goddamn children a little closer and what they do you fuck-tard. Don't leave it up to the public to do this for you. You see how well the public makes choices (Dubya). So I rather not leave that to them if you care about your child.

      Also if your kid is 16-18 and still can't tell the difference between reality and a video game, well its just better off that he goes and does something stupid to end up dead or in prison.

      There is no honest evidence as to why it would be the publics responsibility to watch your fucking kid you poped out of your shit hole body.

      There isn't a subject that gets me more furious than this. I don't honestly see how the hell that a videogame would lead to real-life violence. I mean I kill people everyday and don't seem to be affected by videogames. (kidding)

      Seriously, if in the event I do ever spawn some children. I will make sure they get to play the Quakes, Dooms and GTA's of thier time, at the same time I will make sure they understand its fictional and to respect your authoraties appointed over you, and the value of human life. These are things that should be taught and understood at a young age and then reinforced by a somewhat decent parent.

      The problem with today's society, at least here in this shitty state I live in, is that children themselves are getting pregnant at early ages. (14-17) Honestly now.

      I am probably a very grousome and violent person idea wise you might meet. I think of some crazy and violent things but I know that its thought and shouldn't be acted upon. None of that comes from video games. movies mostly do it for me.

      I haven't seen really a video game yet thats as violent as any random action movie, at least till GTA came along. Nobody seemed to be going out and killing people when GTA 1 and 2 were out. Seems to be the same principal, same gameplay, same name. Why was it just recently everyone decided to get stupid and go do ignorant things?

      Who is this asshole lawyer that wants to sue the entire gaming industry? Did his wife or kids get shot because of a videogame? They missed him obviously.

      Stop reading so much into ENTERTAINMENT and just let it be that, entertainment not reality.

      I think kids that go out and believe the real world is a videogame that they can do whatever they want should be taken to an open field and shot in the head with a .22 pistol. We aren't loosing the cure for cancer here, maybe a gas attendant or two but even then most of them are self serve.

      Well my rant has gone on long enough, enjoy!

  22. Oh noes!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Campbell added that the responsible parties would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

    Well, somebody's going to be getting one hefty littering fine...

  23. Where is your outrage?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The school officials AND local lawenforcement are pro-mutant/hellspawn cannibalism! By seeking to protect zombies they are all but promoting the destruction of all man made institutions, infrastructure and the fabric of society itself. I'm all for principled thoughtful action, but if the living dead return to feast on our flesh and rend out souls the time for an ounce of prevention has passed. Why don't they just invite Osama to fly with them to New York for Christmas!?

    How can you tolerate such radical subversives to entrench themselves in the fundemental institutions of your local government? Your failure to act invites the wrath of God; if he drops Jerry Falwell on your house, don't look to us for help.

  24. My two cents by Kohaku+Nanaya · · Score: 1

    I don't think that the "video games make people killers", and all that other crap are targetted at us generally. I think they are targetted at the children of today, as a way of programming them to think that video games are bad for them, so there would be a good chance, I think, that in 10 years or so, more people will actually believe this stuff spewed out by these propagandists. It is a better way to get their messages; false or not, listened to, and it is working I think.

    1. Re:My two cents by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As a 20 year old I know this, in 20 years time all the people preaching that video games are the devil will be dead, and I will stand upon the tallest mountain and call out to my game playing brethren, and we will rule the government. Like alcohol, banning us, will only make us stronger, do your worst politicians, but know that unless you kill my kind, we will take your place when you die, and undo your work.

      "You have no chance to survive. Make your time!" - Cats, Zero Wing (a video game)

  25. Banning Forms of Expression by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hey if we're banning forms of expression because of violence you need to cut it off at the source, ban the old stuff first, like all the ancient mythology of previous civilizations, all the written records of our own inclination to violence in the past, and be sure to hit the bible while your at it, because I'm pretty sure I read a part that went.

    "And God said let their be zombies, and there was. Then He said let their be shotguns, and it was so. And so God and Jesus and the arch angels set forth to pwn some zombie noobs for many centuries, and it was good. One day, the arch angel gabriel turned to God and said, my Lord, surely and endless sea of zombies are entertaining in their futile efforts, and surely I enjoy the illusion of God-like ability, that I may bask in your greatness (at killing zombies, among other things) - but would not this world be more entertaining if we brought forth these zombies as the living first, and then had them turned to zombies, that we might watch the living and the unliving struggle for their opposing survival? And God said, that sounds like a fox reality series, but as a gift to you Gabriel, we shall spend some fraction of eternity watching the less powerful battle zombies for their survival. And so it was, but the people foresaw the coming of the zombie apocolypse, and some began to train for such a situation, and so came forth Lucifer, and played upon society in his cursed way, to make the spreading of Zombie Survival Guides seem as a danger in themselves, and so this world did not survive. And so the Almighty created a new world (28 days later) and filled it with zombies, and He called forth to Gabriel and said, I shall be killing zombies over here, but if you wish to keep battling zombies as a mortal, with mortal odds, for some incomprehensible reason, go forth my Creation, and create video games and movies, that you might bask in your preference until we come up with a new way to kill our infinite amount of time.

    And so we are.

  26. Zombies or 3rd Graders? by writerjosh · · Score: 1

    I think everyone is missing the point; it doesn't matter whether there is a video game link here or not, the real thing to worry about is that there are some potentially crazy people taking the time to post flyers near a school that say "BE PREPARED" and depicting people shooting some other form of "people."

    I think there is every right to be concerned about some psycho kids going Columbine on this school, but as for a video game link, I think that's just what's selling papers. But again, regardless of the video game link, these wackos posting the flyers should be taken seriously. Even if they are only shooting "zombies" these are the same kind of psychos that can't distinguish between the living dead and 3rd graders.

  27. The Zombie Survival Guide by deathbearer · · Score: 1

    The Zombie Survival guide is a book, I have it, its funny. Its a bit of tounge-in-cheek satire at an acctual zombie attack. Its not a damned game. I hate florida, I'm glad I moved and now reside in the great state of Colorado (no, I was not motivated by any specific herb either, I press jump to get high anyways)

  28. Video games are always blamed by Austin+Milbarge · · Score: 1

    instead of bad parenting. This is America baby. You can't mess with chidren and parents. Thats taboo.