Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Oxymoron · 01-02-2003, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by openeyes
I am very uncomfortable with the "action" in Grand Theft Auto that allows sex with prostitutes and then killing them to get your money back if it wasn't good. Unfortunately, we have this game in our house. I've banned it from my 12 year old; I've given up with the 15 year old--we've had many discussions about my uneasiness. I think relationships between men and women are difficult enough without this sort of influence.

So am I worrying needlessly or should I "misplace" their game?

This game has an 18 certificate. 'nuf said?

Animesh · 01-02-2003, 08:59 AM

I remember the first time a game "disturbed" me. I was playing Empire Deluxe, and I was moving around various icons that represented infantry, battleships, etc. in a war game. The computer opponent had a battleship. I had a ton of infantry. I had them gather on the shore, and one at a time I had them attack and attack and attack. The battleship weakened and weakened until it was destroyed.

After that, I wondered: how many soldiers had I sent to their deaths in attacks on that battleship? What a bloodbath that must have been!

Now, is Grand Theft Auto: Vice City worse than that? I don't think so!

LordMoneyG · 01-02-2003, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oxymoron
This game has an 18 certificate. 'nuf said?

Agreed. Although, I do think much of it depends on how mature you believe your own children to be. If you think that, at those ages, they can handle the game's mature content, so be it. Rather than misplace it, you may need to have a talk with them regarding the subject.

If, however, you believe that your children will take the violence/mature content to heart and possibly attempt to re-enact what they see (or if you think they will not be able to accept it as fantasy, nothing more), then yes, taking it away may be a good idea.

Every child is different. Some can handle games like Vice City, some can't. Age, in this case, falls second to maturity level.

August Spies · 01-02-2003, 12:20 PM

Quote:

I think relationships between men and women are difficult enough without this sort of influence.

Ive played GTA a bunch and never done the prostitute thing nor seen anyone do it. This is not a big part of the game. and I doubt they show the sex. YOu can kill anyone in the game.

beco · 01-02-2003, 01:42 PM

My big compliant with the game is that is got boring real fast. FYI, the didn't actually show sex, they just had the car bounce a bit then she gets out.

August Spies · 01-02-2003, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Would lynching all the black people in the game also be acceptable?

well lynching implies some kind of racism. However, what if the game allowed you to kill black people? would you say tats racism? wait... it does allow that.

openeyes · 01-02-2003, 02:12 PM

I realize the sex is implied, not actually "shown". I know the rating is for 18 and over, but I think even the manufacturer will admit that many games of GTA:VC (if not most) are bought by those under 18. The reason I quit fighting the 15 yo about it is that everyone else he knows seem to have the game anyway.

The 15 yo is a pretty responsible guy in most ways. I still have lingering worries about the subtle impacts these games may be having. Between those and the easy assess to graphic porn on the internet (as best as I try to regulate use, I'm sure he knows how to get around restrictions if he wants), a mom's job to raise healthy kids is a challenge!

Deacon · 01-02-2003, 02:13 PM

Don't even get me started on Michael Medved. Whatever he "cherishes" I avoid and whatever he rails against I have to seek out.

The problem isn't the video games, the problem is the guns. As soon as a kid drags his Xbox into school and beats a classmate over the head with it then maybe you can blame the video games. But until then the Christian Right needs to shut the fuck up. Or better yet, divorce themselves from their association with the NRA. Where in the Bible does it say thou shallt arm thyself against deer, bird, and neighbor?

BTW. Anyone know a good SNES emulator?

01-02-2003, 02:35 PM

Quote:

well lynching implies some kind of racism.

and fucking implies some kind of sexism.

Quote:

However, what if the game allowed you to kill black people? would you say tats racism? wait... it does allow that.

No I said lynching. Which is degrading as well as violent. If any game included lynching behavior there would be a major uproar and total ban. But these are 'just prostitutes' right?

LordMoneyG · 01-02-2003, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jagged
and fucking implies some kind of sexism.

With all due respect, I'd argue that "fucking" implies sex. Now "fucking a stupid whore" - that would imply sexism.

Quote:

No I said lynching. Which is degrading as well as violent. If any game included lynching behavior there would be a major uproar and total ban. But these are 'just prostitutes' right?

Remember, lynching in and of itself is not a racist term. It simply means to execute without due process of law. Now if a game somehow rewarded the lynching of African Americans over other races, or promoted such behavior, then yes, an uproar would be understandable. In fact, the promoted lynching of any race over another would be deplorable and, yes, deserving of any uproar it would recieve.

As it relates to the prostitutes in the game, however, remember - Everyone in the game can be killed, in some capacity. There is no special reward that you get for killing prostitutes that you cannot gain by killing any other random city dweller. Hence, the killing of women is not especially promoted. The killing of everyone, however, is. The game is very "equal-opportunity" in that respect.

...*reading over post*...

...Geez. I can't believe I'm defending stuff like this.

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01-02-2003, 08:59 AM	#32
Animesh Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 107	I remember the first time a game "disturbed" me. I was playing Empire Deluxe, and I was moving around various icons that represented infantry, battleships, etc. in a war game. The computer opponent had a battleship. I had a ton of infantry. I had them gather on the shore, and one at a time I had them attack and attack and attack. The battleship weakened and weakened until it was destroyed. After that, I wondered: how many soldiers had I sent to their deaths in attacks on that battleship? What a bloodbath that must have been! Now, is Grand Theft Auto: Vice City worse than that? I don't think so!

01-02-2003, 01:42 PM	#35
beco Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Reston, VA Posts: 123	My big compliant with the game is that is got boring real fast. FYI, the didn't actually show sex, they just had the car bounce a bit then she gets out.

01-02-2003, 02:12 PM	#37
openeyes Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,215	I realize the sex is implied, not actually "shown". I know the rating is for 18 and over, but I think even the manufacturer will admit that many games of GTA:VC (if not most) are bought by those under 18. The reason I quit fighting the 15 yo about it is that everyone else he knows seem to have the game anyway. The 15 yo is a pretty responsible guy in most ways. I still have lingering worries about the subtle impacts these games may be having. Between those and the easy assess to graphic porn on the internet (as best as I try to regulate use, I'm sure he knows how to get around restrictions if he wants), a mom's job to raise healthy kids is a challenge!

01-02-2003, 02:13 PM	#38
Deacon Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 620	Don't even get me started on Michael Medved. Whatever he "cherishes" I avoid and whatever he rails against I have to seek out. The problem isn't the video games, the problem is the guns. As soon as a kid drags his Xbox into school and beats a classmate over the head with it then maybe you can blame the video games. But until then the Christian Right needs to shut the fuck up. Or better yet, divorce themselves from their association with the NRA. Where in the Bible does it say thou shallt arm thyself against deer, bird, and neighbor? BTW. Anyone know a good SNES emulator?

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