GTA IV Sex Video Gives Ammo to Anti-Gaming Lobby
Jack Thompson presented with a no-brainer
In a successful attempt to seek out and pander to the lowest common denominator, IGN has also managed to give a modicum of credibility to Floridian anti-game campaigner, Jack Thompson. This is a feat we would not have thought possible.
The US-based and Murdoch-owned IGN posted a video called 'The Ladies of Liberty City', which comprises a set of PS3 footage including GTA IV star Niko shooting one prostitute and running another over for no discernible reason. Brilliant plan.
Okay, so one side of the argument could be that "Well, it's in the game - so fair play" - and this, of course, is the tack that will be taken up by those out to censor games. The counter argument is, "Well, the option not to slaughter them is also available in game - why major on the former and provide ammo to the anti-game lobby?"
Anyway, Jack Thompson is sure of one thing, GTA IV is nearly as bad as the plague. He writes to Ars Technica (referring to the IGN debacle):
While the IGN traffic attractor didn't actually make us sick (simply saddened us), the fact is that it does no favours whatsoever to any endeavours to have video games taken seriously. And no, we're not linking to it.
We will, however, source Ars Technica for it's initial take on the story.
The US-based and Murdoch-owned IGN posted a video called 'The Ladies of Liberty City', which comprises a set of PS3 footage including GTA IV star Niko shooting one prostitute and running another over for no discernible reason. Brilliant plan.
Okay, so one side of the argument could be that "Well, it's in the game - so fair play" - and this, of course, is the tack that will be taken up by those out to censor games. The counter argument is, "Well, the option not to slaughter them is also available in game - why major on the former and provide ammo to the anti-game lobby?"
Anyway, Jack Thompson is sure of one thing, GTA IV is nearly as bad as the plague. He writes to Ars Technica (referring to the IGN debacle):
"Grand Theft Auto IV is the gravest assault upon children in this country since polio. We now have vaccines for that virus... The 'vaccine' that must be administered by the United States government to deal with this virtual virus of violence and sexual depravity is criminal prosecutions of those who have conspired to do this. If you doubt me, look at the aforementioned streaming audio/video. It will make you sick."
While the IGN traffic attractor didn't actually make us sick (simply saddened us), the fact is that it does no favours whatsoever to any endeavours to have video games taken seriously. And no, we're not linking to it.
We will, however, source Ars Technica for it's initial take on the story.
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Comments
DoctorDee 29 Apr 2008 17:31
1/3
The guys who work at IGN are probably perfectly decent guys. But the fact that they work for a sick, anti-competitive, warmonger means they're probably not all that big on principles.
Joji 29 Apr 2008 19:11
2/3
I'm all for games being taken as a medium seriously, but taken seriously by who exactly?
The various governments that enjoy the money the games industry injects into it, but stabs us in the back at the earliest chance tabloid crap.
Hey, I can almost feel myself ready to resight Andrew Ryan's opening speech from Bioshock. Considering that speech, its not a bad metaphor either for the industry.
The various governments that enjoy the money the games industry injects into it, but stabs us in the back at the earliest chance tabloid crap.
Hey, I can almost feel myself ready to resight Andrew Ryan's opening speech from Bioshock. Considering that speech, its not a bad metaphor either for the industry.
joesomelono 30 Apr 2008 07:30
3/3
NO WAY! This game is as bad as polio! I cant believe it ive just got the game, will i be ok, i hope JT does something quick.