GTA 4 Thread.... Video game violence thread

[adjuggler]

So I do enjoy a good video game everyone in a while and have decided to purchase...

http://media.gtanet.com/gta4/images/gta4boxart.jpg

Anyone have this? (reviews/ opinions/ bashing or whatnot) Also feel free to tell me that video game violence promotes illegal activities in minors :)

[wickedbob]

In the right situations it can promote violence, but you know, there are parents. I've been playing gta since 3rd grade, I'm now in 10, so that is 7 years. I'm not really violent person at all. See what happens when parents do their job?

Just my limited view, my 2c.

[adjuggler]

I guess a lot of the bad flack video games get is that when someone does something violent, if they play video games the games get instantly blamed for it.

[Spudman]

I don't mind cartoon violence at all, but the realism of gta4 kind of ruins it for me. I think I'll stick to Tetris.

[Hazmat]

I don't mind cartoon violence at all, but the realism of gta4 kind of ruins it for me. I think I'll stick to Tetris.
Well get cracking. (http://www.retrouprising.com/play/Sega-Genesis/Columns.php) :D

As for GTA 4, i can't wait till the PC version comes out so i can play it cause apparently it's a whole lot better then the X-Box and PS3. They fixed the bugs and glitches that you may experience on the console versions.

[dudewithasock]

Anyone who claims that "videogames cause violent behavior" is an idiot. There's no proof to back that claim up.

As far as GTAIV goes, I've played it and I thought it was meh. I liked San Andreas and Vice City better. I'm not much for gritty realism - if you wanna go the darker route, at least go all out like Gears of War did.

[mornish]

I've always been a fan of the GTA games because of the driving in them.

oh so much fun.

[unibikeling]

i actually sorta want a game thats like GTA, minus the violence, and guns and stuff.

I was playing burnout paradise city, and thought how cool it would be to actually have players, and functioning buildings that you could use.

I would be all over a non violent, non shooter GTA sorta game.

[adjuggler]

i actually sorta want a game thats like GTA, minus the violence, and guns and stuff.

I was playing burnout paradise city, and thought how cool it would be to actually have players, and functioning buildings that you could use.

I would be all over a non violent, non shooter GTA sorta game.
There is always crackdown... It has everything there, but the violence is more cartoonish.

http://games.gearlive.com/blogimages/crackdown.jpg

http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/crackdown_360.jpg

http://www.tech2.com/media/images/img_2993_crackdown2_450x360.jpg

[Adder172]

Anyone who claims that "videogames cause violent behavior" is an idiot. There's no proof to back that claim up.

As far as GTAIV goes, I've played it and I thought it was meh. I liked San Andreas and Vice City better. I'm not much for gritty realism - if you wanna go the darker route, at least go all out like Gears of War did.

although i agree that it is all in the persons decision to become violent or not.....

i must say (assuming from your comments you play video games) that you are being a bit violent towards peoples ideas, this is possibly the "proof" you were looking for?

[Poseidon]

Anyone who claims that "videogames cause violent behavior" is an idiot. There's no proof to back that claim up.

As far as GTAIV goes, I've played it and I thought it was meh. I liked San Andreas and Vice City better. I'm not much for gritty realism - if you wanna go the darker route, at least go all out like Gears of War did.

In fact: There's proof otherwise! I saw a show about a study that said GTA 4 can actually make you more alert, and a better driver. Kids that play games like GTA 4 are actually more inclined not to do criminal acts of that such. Video games don't cause violent behavior. I admit, they can. But a child that has this happen shouldn't be playing the game in the first place. And! Young children should DEFINATLEY not be playing it. I'd say 14 and up with parent permission knowing their kid. They should know how they respond to violence and such. GTA 4 is no more than an interactive R rated movie. You have to be mature about it, and not let it rule your life.

[monkeyman]

although i agree that it is all in the persons decision to become violent or not.....

i must say (assuming from your comments you play video games) that you are being a bit violent towards peoples ideas, this is possibly the "proof" you were looking for?

...you can't seriously be suggesting that calling a stupid idea stupid is on par with walking into a church and opening fire?

[siafirede]

My friend plays it a lot and although I have never played, I do think that it is awesome they have a NY hardcore radio station in the game that plays Leeway. Best song in the game...Leeway-enforcer.

As far as the violence aspect of the game, it does get a little ridiculous. I would think it would have to have an affect on people, at least some people, who play it.

Has anyone actually spent time researching both sides of the argument on video game violence? I would be curious to read both arguments.

[tobbogonist]

I have just started working at a games shop.

i will now about these things soon.

[caudy]

On the whole people seem to be fine with games. When I played GTA 4 it was fun but only as a game and it wouldn't affect me in any way.

There is always the occasional crazy person though...

[Hazmat]

I don't understand why people think games like GTA or similar have to be taken seriously. What is wrong with these peoples. It's a game and that's it. :mad:

[kington99]

Anyone who claims that "videogames cause violent behavior" is an idiot. There's no proof to back that claim up.



and do you have proof to back that claim up?

I have played frequently and enjoyed the GTA series of games, although I haven't played IV yet. I believe that these games do nurture violent behaviour in some people, but this is not sufficient reason for them to be banned. I feel the onus is on the parents to choose whether their children are suitable for these games, and to limit their use of them.

[cathwood]

I believe that these games do nurture violent behaviour in some people, but this is not sufficient reason for them to be banned. I feel the onus is on the parents to choose whether their children are suitable for these games, and to limit their use of them.

Why should the onus be on the parents to choose whether their children are suitable for these games or not?

And how would I chose? What criteria would I use? How would I know whether my child was suitable or not?

And worse of all, why should I have to watch violence in order to make that decision (as presumably I would have to know something about the game to decide wether it was suitable or not)?

[kington99]

Why should the onus be on the parents to choose whether their children are suitable for these games or not?

And how would I chose? What criteria would I use? How would I know whether my child was suitable or not?

And worse of all, why should I have to watch violence in order to make that decision (as presumably I would have to know something about the game to decide wether it was suitable or not)?


Because as a parent it's your responsibility to raise your children, including controlling what influences they are exposed to as you see fit.

How you choose is more tricky, but it's hardly a unique problem. How do you choose whether to let your children watch films on TV, when to let your children go out alone, whether to be try and stop them from taking up smoking? Frankly I'm not a parent and I don't know, I guess you try and obtain information on the subject so you can make an informed decision, balance the factors and make a choice.

Yes you need to know about the game, but you can obtain this information by simply flipping the packet over and looking at the rating system on the back, which details possibly offensive content. For more information, reading a review or two will let you know exactly what the game is like without esposing yourself to violence. I understand some websites right reviews specifically intended for the viewing of parents making choices for their children.

[manon1wheel]

but remember. its more then violence. there is drugs, sex, and robbery.
in my opinion its a bad influence
-Riley

[dudewithasock]

but remember. its more then violence. there is drugs, sex, and robbery.
in my opinion its a bad influence
-Riley

Only if you let it be. It's not that difficult to play a game for escapism. I'm not sure if the onus is on the parent to tell the child whether or not they can play a certain game/watch a certain movie/listen to certain music, as kington claims. I do however think that it is the parent's responsibility to teach the child that these are all forms of escapism, and should not mold their core values (whatever these may be). If the parents tell a kid not to do something, that's accomplishing nothing - there are many ways to get around parent supervision, as anyone who is a kid or has been a kid knows well.

although i agree that it is all in the persons decision to become violent or not.....

i must say (assuming from your comments you play video games) that you are being a bit violent towards peoples ideas, this is possibly the "proof" you were looking for?

Let me rephrase...

Anyone who claims that "videogames cause violent behavior" is ignorant and closed-minded.

[cathwood]

Only if you let it be. It's not that difficult to play a game for escapism... I do however think that it is the parent's responsibility to teach the child that these are all forms of escapism, and should not mold their core values (whatever these may be).
Let me rephrase...

Anyone who claims that "videogames cause violent behavior" is ignorant and closed-minded.

So violent video games cause no harm but parents should still 'persuade' their children that they are only escapism (not presumably real life?)?

[dudewithasock]

Yep. Only I don't know why you used the word 'persuade'...it's not a suggestion, it's a lesson.

[cathwood]

Yep. Only I don't know why you used the word 'persuade'...it's not a suggestion, it's a lesson.

I don't understand the difference.

[dudewithasock]

Do you at least understand the need for that sort of "persuasion"?

[warlord14]

So I do enjoy a good video game everyone in a while and have decided to purchase...

http://media.gtanet.com/gta4/images/gta4boxart.jpg

Anyone have this? (reviews/ opinions/ bashing or whatnot) Also feel free to tell me that video game violence promotes illegal activities in minors :)

I got GTA4 the day after it came out and it gave my 360 a virus the first time i played it luckily i had a warranty so i was able to have it fixed for free.

[Fraggle]

Why should the onus be on the parents to choose whether their children are suitable for these games or not?

And how would I chose? What criteria would I use? How would I know whether my child was suitable or not?

And worse of all, why should I have to watch violence in order to make that decision (as presumably I would have to know something about the game to decide wether it was suitable or not)?

Shouldnt it be wether the games are suitable for the children?

Seeing as games like the GTA series have an 18 rating, surely that should be enough to make someone stop and think about it. As for knowing about the game, there is the back of the box ahich states the age rating, why it has the rating, and what the game is about, not to mention google.

I won't buy games for my other half's kid that are rated over his age, I wont rent games for him either. Partly because I dont see why someone younger than the age rating on a game should be playing it, but mainly to wind him up, lol.

I don't think games influence people, unless there's mental issues, in which case they shouldn't be on the games in the first place.

My parents generation grew up playing Pacman, do they munch pills in a dark room while avoiding ghosts? Nope.


F.

[Fraggle]

So I do enjoy a good video game everyone in a while and have decided to purchase...

http://media.gtanet.com/gta4/images/gta4boxart.jpg

Anyone have this? (reviews/ opinions/ bashing or whatnot) Also feel free to tell me that video game violence promotes illegal activities in minors :)

Had it, 100%-ed it, bored to death of it, and sold it within a month of its release date. GTA San Andreas is much better, more to do, planes, hijacking trains, more rewards (money for stunt jumps, lung capacity for oysters). All GTA4 has in the way of rewards on the 360 is achievements and removal of the ammo limit, don't know about PS3.

F.

[brendan]

I got GTA4 the day after it came out and it gave my 360 a virus the first time i played it luckily i had a warranty so i was able to have it fixed for free.

dude that's bollocks. Your xbox 360 had a software problem, it wasn't a virus.

now computer game violence is not dangerous till people take it seriously. People have overhyped it and now over eager lawyers are touting it as the reason for young violence. It's a good excuse just like being crazy is for adults who commit murders. Allows lawyers to argue for a lower prison sentences and so and so. Plus the videogame industry is massively rich and there's nothign like nicking money off rich people.

Now i'm sure there are a few cases of escapism but the majority are aload of lawyers wanting to server their clients better and to get money off a rich industry.

[kington99]

It has been announced that GTA IV will be released for PC this autumn in the UK. If the current wave of knife violence turns to gun violence in this country we shall know why. Personaly I'm quite excited.

[Hazmat]

It has been announced that GTA IV will be released for PC this autumn in the UK. If the current wave of knife violence turns to gun violence in this country we shall know why. Personaly I'm quite excited.
Well, we will be getting here in November, which is spring here. :p


Oh wait, that is Autumn for you guys. :p