If they made a video game that had US Senators getting shot.

[satireV]

Would you buy it?

U.S. Senator targets '25 to Life' video game
22 June 2005 2:12 by Dela

Once again the heat is on developers of violent video games as Sen. Charles Schumer, a Democrat from New York has targeted 25 to Life; an upcoming game which the Senator claims makes the Grand Theft Auto games look like "Romper Room" (a popular Children's TV Show in the U.S.). The video game is due out this summer. In the game you can either choose the side of gangs or the side of the law. The Senator wants this "cop killer" game boycotted by retailers and even calls on Microsoft and Sony to end their licensing agreements with Eidos.

[ComerPerro]

1. This is completely disturbing

Notice that now Democrats feel it is necessary to pander to "family vaules" and that whole crowd???

[aden_nak]

2. You can play as the police in 25 to Life. No one mentions that.

Not that I think what the world needs is another GTA clone. I just think it's interesting that that entire option set was built into the game, and that it's being utterly ignored because it doesn't fit the argument that video games are evil.

And companies should stop licensing with Eidos not because of 25 to Life, but because of all those horrible Tomb Raider sequels. To say nothing of the butcher job they did transferring FFVII. ;)

[satireV]

3. Exactly so.

Apparently video games which have cops shooting "suspects" isn't a problem to Schumer and his ilk.

[aden_nak]

5. Take it one step further. America's Army, anyone?

[Bluzmann57]

4. OK I may get some heat for this

but I can't see the value of any cop killing activity. None at all. Senator Schumer has an excellent point and I would say that no matter what party he belonged to. He is not calling for an outright ban, but wants retailers and licensers to do the correct thing. I reiterate, there is no reason for any kind of "cop killer" game. To answer your initial question-no I wouldn't buy it and if I had any minor children living with me, they wouldn't be allowed to buy it either. That kind of crap does not belong in my house.

[satireV]

8. Schumer wants to totally ban the game, not restrict it.

but I can't see the value of any cop killing activity. None at all. Senator Schumer has an excellent point and I would say that no matter what party he belonged to. He is not calling for an outright ban, but wants retailers and licensers to do the correct thing. I reiterate, there is no reason for any kind of "cop killer" game. To answer your initial question-no I wouldn't buy it and if I had any minor children living with me, they wouldn't be allowed to buy it either. That kind of crap does not belong in my house.

The game has a M rating on it. Adults only can buy it. Schumer wants to totally ban it. Schumer is a fruit loop on this.

Schumer and his ilk "believe" that a game influences children to become cop killers. His support for this idea is just like how Bush believes things. He has no scientific evidence to support his idea other than his belief.


It's like how Schumer and his ilk think tobacco advertising makes kids start smoking. He thinks so, so it must be so. Schumer is not thinking logically.

[aden_nak]

9. I agree that it's not for minors.

And that parents should supervise their children's games the same way they might supervise movies, television, music and so on. The cover of every game has a rating. This one says M for Mature.

http://www.esrb.org/esrbratings_guide.asp

Now, with that being said, where is the line drawn? Would you encourage movie studios and television networks to disasociate themselves from projects that feature criminals shooting cops? Or book publishers? One thing that not a lot of people realize about these games is that the good ones, the ones that succede as a medium and sell enough copies, often have a message that is presented as a commentary on the violence. Often the theme is that criminal activity only begats more criminal activity, and that once you are involved in it, it will own your life permanently. Most of the "play as the criminal" genre has adopted this plot device because it drives the story better or makes for, well, a more realistic game.

So is 25 to Life for kids? No, no it's not. But the 17+ crowd is now as large a purchaser and user of these games as the 16 and under crowd. No one would suggest that movies stop at PG-13 because the industry cannot regulate minors obtaining content. Simply because gaming is a less mainstream media does not delegate it to second class status in respect to censorship, either.

[Telly Savalas]

18. Agreed that the game has no redeeming social value...

and I'd likely have few problems with a private citizen organizing a boycott. Being a representative of the federal government, however, the Senator is treading thin ice with regards to free expression issues by telling businesses which media they should and shouldn't be selling.

[delhurgo]

6. Yes, sounds like a blast.

I would vote against Chucky Schumer for this and for the republican, unless he was worse on the issue.

I'm sure what he'll say is this isn't censorship, but as long as you continue to create hysteria around this issue in the minds of voters that's what it will eventually lead to. Hillary is big into this blame video games baloney too.

The democrats aren't much better on this issue than republicans are. Instead of being tough on crime, for a strong defense, and being reasonable on taxes and spending, this is what they resort to. They think 'values' is going to save the party, but it isn't. Its 'moving to the center' on the wrong issue.

[Gyre]

7. I think he's actually doing the job he was elected to do

which is protecting the interests of his constituents. I consider this sort of crap software to be a small part of the continuing problem of decaying morality in this country.

On the other hand, I generally dislike the politicians in this country more than common criminals.

Gyre

[wuushew]

10. I you don't like it then don't buy it

I have real problems with telling other people what they should or shouldn't consider moral. Censorship blows.

[Straight Shooter]

11. This kind of video game gives me the creeps.

Enough of the violence already.

[satireV]

13. It isn't REAL violence......

You know, like is in the NEWS?

[DS1]

12. I'd buy it. If I had time to play video games.

.

[Idioteque]

14. This is why people don't vote for Democrats n/t

[Endangered Specie]

15. people, its just a damn video game

censorship is not a great idea.


btw, Id play the cops.

[Pockets]

16. I'm ashamed....

He's a Democrat? What a computer illiterate moron. I'm sorry, and hope I have missed something in this story, but I'm sure that this game isn't any wore than other games. Video games will become easier to produce in as time goes on making it impossible to regulate what gets distributed.

What's the difference between boycotting a game vs a book? Not much IMO.

[pinniped]

17. He's a fool, nothing can make GTA look like Romper Room.

.