Rockstar Not So Popular in America Right Now...
Employees weather the storm in New York offices.
Yesterday in New York, as promised by anti-violence lawyer John Thompson, 150 teenage schoolchildren gathered outside Rockstar’s offices in the fashionable SoHo area of Manhattan. The backlash against the developers of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is still in full swing over the hidden ‘Hot Coffee’ sex game in the PS2 and PC versions of the game. But this protest was unrelated, and directed at a game Rockstar has yet to release.
The latest in the ever lengthening line of provocatively premised Rockstar offerings, Bully casts the player as a student at Bullworth Academy who, after being the victim of bullies, must himself turn the tables on his oppressors, student and teacher alike, by means of retaliatory pranks. By Rockstar’s standards, it’s actually rather less shocking than their earlier ideas, at least on the surface. But students involved in the protest say that the storyline touches a raw nerve in America, echoing the Columbine massacre in which Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris murdered fellow pupils after themselves being the victims of bullies. The protesters, members of the ‘Peaceaholics’ student movement, demanded that Rockstar reconsider their plan to release the game in October and can the project.
No comment was given by those inside the Rockstar building, who presumably were too busy rejoicing in yet another bout of free publicity. Last year Rockstar’s Manhunt was blamed for the murder of British 14 year-old Stefan Pakeerah when his friend, 17 year-old Warren LeBlanc, stabbed and bludgeoned him to death. And in 2003, two boys from Tennessee said that GTA III had been their inspiration for shooting at another car as they drove along a freeway, killing one person and seriously wounding another. Bully has also come under fire from those at Bullying Online, the website related to the recent BBC anti-bullying campaign.
Many who don’t play games have no doubt that they are directly linked to violent and even psychotic behaviour in those that are exposed to them. Keen videogamers, on the other hand, are often quick to dismiss out of hand any connection between games and violence. At SPOnG, we’re not sure it’s as clear-cut as that. It’s true that games like GTA, Manhunt and Bully are all based on activities that humans invented long before video games even existed. But films, games and even books which young people are exposed to can glamorise violence in a way that those who bring them up hopefully wouldn’t. And it’s widely accepted that children exposed to real violence at an early age are at an increased risk of developing violent tendencies later on in life.
One thing’s for sure. Games involving blood, guts and bullets are not intrinsically any more enjoyable than those involving the arrangement of blocks of different colours, racing cars, or rolling balls of random objects around. Perhaps it’s time that people within the industry gave those outside it less, ahem, ammo. Let us know your feelings about how dangerous a game Bully might be.
The latest in the ever lengthening line of provocatively premised Rockstar offerings, Bully casts the player as a student at Bullworth Academy who, after being the victim of bullies, must himself turn the tables on his oppressors, student and teacher alike, by means of retaliatory pranks. By Rockstar’s standards, it’s actually rather less shocking than their earlier ideas, at least on the surface. But students involved in the protest say that the storyline touches a raw nerve in America, echoing the Columbine massacre in which Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris murdered fellow pupils after themselves being the victims of bullies. The protesters, members of the ‘Peaceaholics’ student movement, demanded that Rockstar reconsider their plan to release the game in October and can the project.
No comment was given by those inside the Rockstar building, who presumably were too busy rejoicing in yet another bout of free publicity. Last year Rockstar’s Manhunt was blamed for the murder of British 14 year-old Stefan Pakeerah when his friend, 17 year-old Warren LeBlanc, stabbed and bludgeoned him to death. And in 2003, two boys from Tennessee said that GTA III had been their inspiration for shooting at another car as they drove along a freeway, killing one person and seriously wounding another. Bully has also come under fire from those at Bullying Online, the website related to the recent BBC anti-bullying campaign.
Many who don’t play games have no doubt that they are directly linked to violent and even psychotic behaviour in those that are exposed to them. Keen videogamers, on the other hand, are often quick to dismiss out of hand any connection between games and violence. At SPOnG, we’re not sure it’s as clear-cut as that. It’s true that games like GTA, Manhunt and Bully are all based on activities that humans invented long before video games even existed. But films, games and even books which young people are exposed to can glamorise violence in a way that those who bring them up hopefully wouldn’t. And it’s widely accepted that children exposed to real violence at an early age are at an increased risk of developing violent tendencies later on in life.
One thing’s for sure. Games involving blood, guts and bullets are not intrinsically any more enjoyable than those involving the arrangement of blocks of different colours, racing cars, or rolling balls of random objects around. Perhaps it’s time that people within the industry gave those outside it less, ahem, ammo. Let us know your feelings about how dangerous a game Bully might be.
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Comments
claudioalex 3 Aug 2005 17:16
1/10
If the final goal of the game is to be the big threat of the school then , it is a danger for weak minds who are in school yet and dont have advices coming from parents who are working all the day (it would be like 70 % of students).
I think this game goes against the most simple values which are the ground of a society.
They should be punished if the game is advertised for youngers than 18 year.
I think this game goes against the most simple values which are the ground of a society.
They should be punished if the game is advertised for youngers than 18 year.
JRLJ 3 Aug 2005 18:59
2/10
On the topic of Bully did anyone ever play the game "Skool Daze" on the ZX Spectrum? It's like 20 years old but it's obviously what inspired Rockstar to make Bully.
Anyway I don't have a problem with Bully being released. It will have an "18" rating in the UK at least and anyone who is 18 is already out of school for 2 years and none of the kids who Bully are clever enough to go onto college. If there are problems created then its obvious who is to blame - the parents for buying their child a game they're obviously too immature to handle despite the massive red 18 label on it.
In the US though I imagine it's different because even though the game will probably get an M when you're 17 you're still in high school. That being said if you're 17 and think acting out violence from a computer game is normal behaviour then I think they should be wearing a school uniform that consists of a white coat and a straight jacket.
Also the people who said that GTA 3 inspired them to shoot at another car as they drove past. Surely if they were old enough to drive and own guns they're old enough to face up to what they've done and not hide behind a game.
Anyway I don't have a problem with Bully being released. It will have an "18" rating in the UK at least and anyone who is 18 is already out of school for 2 years and none of the kids who Bully are clever enough to go onto college. If there are problems created then its obvious who is to blame - the parents for buying their child a game they're obviously too immature to handle despite the massive red 18 label on it.
In the US though I imagine it's different because even though the game will probably get an M when you're 17 you're still in high school. That being said if you're 17 and think acting out violence from a computer game is normal behaviour then I think they should be wearing a school uniform that consists of a white coat and a straight jacket.
Also the people who said that GTA 3 inspired them to shoot at another car as they drove past. Surely if they were old enough to drive and own guns they're old enough to face up to what they've done and not hide behind a game.
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TwoADay 3 Aug 2005 20:44
3/10
Joe Ryding wrote:
On the topic of Bully did anyone ever play the game "Skool Daze" on the ZX Spectrum? It's like 20 years old but it's obviously what inspired Rockstar to make Bully.
Anyway I don't have a problem with Bully being released. It will have an "18" rating in the UK at least and anyone who is 18 is already out of school for 2 years and none of the kids who Bully are clever enough to go onto college. If there are problems created then its obvious who is to blame - the parents for buying their child a game they're obviously too immature to handle despite the massive red 18 label on it.
In the US though I imagine it's different because even though the game will probably get an M when you're 17 you're still in high school. That being said if you're 17 and think acting out violence from a computer game is normal behaviour then I think they should be wearing a school uniform that consists of a white coat and a straight jacket.
Also the people who said that GTA 3 inspired them to shoot at another car as they drove past. Surely if they were old enough to drive and own guns they're old enough to face up to what they've done and not hide behind a game.
Anyway I don't have a problem with Bully being released. It will have an "18" rating in the UK at least and anyone who is 18 is already out of school for 2 years and none of the kids who Bully are clever enough to go onto college. If there are problems created then its obvious who is to blame - the parents for buying their child a game they're obviously too immature to handle despite the massive red 18 label on it.
In the US though I imagine it's different because even though the game will probably get an M when you're 17 you're still in high school. That being said if you're 17 and think acting out violence from a computer game is normal behaviour then I think they should be wearing a school uniform that consists of a white coat and a straight jacket.
Also the people who said that GTA 3 inspired them to shoot at another car as they drove past. Surely if they were old enough to drive and own guns they're old enough to face up to what they've done and not hide behind a game.
They may be old enough to face up to what they've done, but lawyers realize that there's more money to be made by going after the game company, rather than the family of some stupid kid.
I'm not supporting the lawyers, or that point of view at all, but that really is the reason it's done.
Joji 4 Aug 2005 00:36
4/10
Oh dear Rockstar, for thou hath tempted the wrath of planet america. Get thee to a witchery with much haste.
Chill, my scottish Rockstar brethren, for thee shall still sell loads of games and make lot's of money.
Don't you just love yanks? Killling is rife in their country (and some of em funded the IRA's terrorism too) and they have time to camp outside Rockstart HQ, complaning about a game that they only know the name of. How stupid.
If I was R* I'd invite them in and stick them in a large room with a Speccy and a copy of Skool Daze, then show them The Bully. Only then will they see where Rockstar are truly coming from. I do agree R* could come up with a better title than the Bully though.
Yanks don't want the truth because they can't handle the truth, which is that they go over every little thing.
What should be interesting to see though is that I'm sure R* will put in some influences positive parts of the game, but we'll never hear the press sing about them.
Chill, my scottish Rockstar brethren, for thee shall still sell loads of games and make lot's of money.
Don't you just love yanks? Killling is rife in their country (and some of em funded the IRA's terrorism too) and they have time to camp outside Rockstart HQ, complaning about a game that they only know the name of. How stupid.
If I was R* I'd invite them in and stick them in a large room with a Speccy and a copy of Skool Daze, then show them The Bully. Only then will they see where Rockstar are truly coming from. I do agree R* could come up with a better title than the Bully though.
Yanks don't want the truth because they can't handle the truth, which is that they go over every little thing.
What should be interesting to see though is that I'm sure R* will put in some influences positive parts of the game, but we'll never hear the press sing about them.
mrreset 4 Aug 2005 14:10
5/10
rockstar needs to die. ban rockstar games u Pr***s
TwoADay 4 Aug 2005 17:15
6/10
yes, because ONLY IN AMERICA do people EVER overreact to video game violence.
<snip from Gamespot article on "Bully">
The first is from a statement by the Britain-based Bullying Online, an organization devoted to ending all forms of "bullying" on school grounds in the UK. Reportedly, that group is seeking a ban of the title on its home turf.
"This game should be banned," the organization's Liz Carnell has said. "I'm extremely worried that kids will play it and then act out what they've seen in the classroom.... Bullying is not a game by any stretch of the imagination. We have around four suicidal children contacting us every day."
<end snip>
For the full article, look here
Kooks are not only found in America. The majority of them may have settled here, but there's still certainly too many in other parts of the world, too.
<snip from Gamespot article on "Bully">
The first is from a statement by the Britain-based Bullying Online, an organization devoted to ending all forms of "bullying" on school grounds in the UK. Reportedly, that group is seeking a ban of the title on its home turf.
"This game should be banned," the organization's Liz Carnell has said. "I'm extremely worried that kids will play it and then act out what they've seen in the classroom.... Bullying is not a game by any stretch of the imagination. We have around four suicidal children contacting us every day."
<end snip>
For the full article, look here
Kooks are not only found in America. The majority of them may have settled here, but there's still certainly too many in other parts of the world, too.
Joji 4 Aug 2005 23:24
7/10
No one is saying folk here won't object, there's always someone out there ready to put in a dagger where ever you are. Rockstar is a british developer so it's stands to reason someone over here would get ants in their pants about it, even when they haven't played the Bully. But the post is about America having problems with Rockstar and I'm refering to the post in that context.
Rockstar will bath in another sea of free publicity for their games again. What Rockstar should do is set minds at ease and invite the neigh sayers to see what the game is about and actually test it. In a way I like the look of the game since the only games based in schools these days seem to hale from japan, be it a beat em up like Capcom's Rivals Schools series or the likes of the recent
other highschool focused japanese games.
I say give Rockstar and the Bully a chance before biting their hands off, it could turn out to be their saving grace on the back of the GTA biz, and everyone can relate to school life in one way or another. When was the last time we done the same to films or music before they were released and in their creative stage? Nuff said.
Rockstar will bath in another sea of free publicity for their games again. What Rockstar should do is set minds at ease and invite the neigh sayers to see what the game is about and actually test it. In a way I like the look of the game since the only games based in schools these days seem to hale from japan, be it a beat em up like Capcom's Rivals Schools series or the likes of the recent
other highschool focused japanese games.
I say give Rockstar and the Bully a chance before biting their hands off, it could turn out to be their saving grace on the back of the GTA biz, and everyone can relate to school life in one way or another. When was the last time we done the same to films or music before they were released and in their creative stage? Nuff said.
sparcmx 5 Aug 2005 00:44
8/10
Ok, I just dont get it. Maybe its because we're a little less uptight than our western counterparts, but when you lose a sporting event and everyone says 'Its just a game' you take it on the chin.... Just because my javelin didnt beat yours, can I spear you with it.. Would make me feel a lot better! But us sane, logically thinking humans know that is not right. If some people cant differentiate reality and non reality, maybe rockstar should add a sub-game at loadtime to demonstrate how those with reality issues can kill 'themselves' first, before their soft, unguided minds kill another and use the GAME as a crotch for a legal case.
Real weak guys. Just admit that American society has crumbled so much that gaming should require psychological evaluation at the store. ITs Just A Game.
BTW, if code was closed off to the public then theres no issue. Make it available, who's at fault? I tell ya what, rather than beat that twit who just screwed your order at mcdonalds, I come home and shoot all store clerks in GTASA. I dissipate my anger with these things, only a sad, sorry, no friend, pathetic w****r would get joy from assaulting an innocent.
Want a different twist on reality. Attach high voltage probes to all murderers in jail and link them to Xbox Live. Every kill in Halo2 will be for the sake of good >:P
Damn, I was only gunna make a small post... Guess this 'its the games fault' debate really blows harder than I expected. ITS JUST A FREAKIN GAME YOU TWITS. Game!! game game game... remember what they are??
Front lawn slippinslide... YAY! lets add razors, we'll blame it on the games!!
Real weak guys. Just admit that American society has crumbled so much that gaming should require psychological evaluation at the store. ITs Just A Game.
BTW, if code was closed off to the public then theres no issue. Make it available, who's at fault? I tell ya what, rather than beat that twit who just screwed your order at mcdonalds, I come home and shoot all store clerks in GTASA. I dissipate my anger with these things, only a sad, sorry, no friend, pathetic w****r would get joy from assaulting an innocent.
Want a different twist on reality. Attach high voltage probes to all murderers in jail and link them to Xbox Live. Every kill in Halo2 will be for the sake of good >:P
Damn, I was only gunna make a small post... Guess this 'its the games fault' debate really blows harder than I expected. ITS JUST A FREAKIN GAME YOU TWITS. Game!! game game game... remember what they are??
Front lawn slippinslide... YAY! lets add razors, we'll blame it on the games!!
bogfar89 5 Aug 2005 11:35
9/10
If you watch bbc1 late enough, they broadcast bbc news 24 which, due to the lateness of the hour (and lack of news) broadcast an american ABC news programme. Last night there was a story about this whole rockstar thing. It was so ignorent and one sided it made me cringe:
-First they linked the new rockstar game, gta: sa and the entire games industry to columbine.
-They then proceded to show pictures of some sick crummy online games about london and 9/11 terrorist acts, while playing a statement from someone about how games are considered an art form and a new way for young people to express themselves.
Heres a summary of what the story was suggesting to unknowing viewers:
The video games industry is directly linked to columbine, s**tty amateur online sick fests and is considered an art form whilst only being about violence and gore aimed at young children.
This is the sort of thing that makes me f**king angry, mass deception and there is nothing I can do about it!
-First they linked the new rockstar game, gta: sa and the entire games industry to columbine.
-They then proceded to show pictures of some sick crummy online games about london and 9/11 terrorist acts, while playing a statement from someone about how games are considered an art form and a new way for young people to express themselves.
Heres a summary of what the story was suggesting to unknowing viewers:
The video games industry is directly linked to columbine, s**tty amateur online sick fests and is considered an art form whilst only being about violence and gore aimed at young children.
This is the sort of thing that makes me f**king angry, mass deception and there is nothing I can do about it!
TwoADay 5 Aug 2005 13:37
10/10
It was likely a program called "20/20," which is an alarmist friday-night news show. The key person on that show was Barbra Walters, but they're grooming this guy John Stossel to take the reigns, because Walters is starting to look like the crypt keeper. Stossel does all these hilarious (to me, he's trying to be serious) "stories" about bad things in America.
News viewership is falling in the 'States, partly because of Cable News channels (CNN, Fox News(ugh)) but also because, among people in my demographic (early to mid 20s, educated) don't find that it is news anymore - they just try to scare people about non issues.
Case in point - NBC's Today show (a morning news program) today just did a 5 minute piece on "Are Amusement Parks safe?" because some kid apparently jumped off a ride yesterday and died. HE JUMPED (if the reports are correct).
I love Spong, and the views of non-Americans of our country. Many times, they're spot on. But don't worry too much -- There are huge numbers of people who feel this whole debate is hilarious rather than alarming.
News viewership is falling in the 'States, partly because of Cable News channels (CNN, Fox News(ugh)) but also because, among people in my demographic (early to mid 20s, educated) don't find that it is news anymore - they just try to scare people about non issues.
Case in point - NBC's Today show (a morning news program) today just did a 5 minute piece on "Are Amusement Parks safe?" because some kid apparently jumped off a ride yesterday and died. HE JUMPED (if the reports are correct).
I love Spong, and the views of non-Americans of our country. Many times, they're spot on. But don't worry too much -- There are huge numbers of people who feel this whole debate is hilarious rather than alarming.