Saying that nobody could be influenced by a game is ridiculous - however, you can't have all the gears and levers working if you are influenced to commit murder by one.Melaisis said:
Grand Theft Auto IV Inspires Worldwide Violence, Stupidity
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
- Start date
Absolutely true, which is then the anti-gaming party's problem: They believe that everything comes down to whether or not you play a game, not the fact that some of these kids are gonna be insane way before they even caught sight of a 360.Johnn Johnston said:
EDIT: Oh Jeffers; you do flatter me!
That's the essence of my point-of-view too; sure, games can influence what you're thinking... isn't that the point of games, to stimulate thinking or at least emotion? But to say that means players will confuse the imaginary with the real is to give the vast majority of people insufficient credit, and those who will become unclear on the concept would likely blow it doing something else if games aren't available.Johnn Johnston said:
-- Steve
Hmm. Very interesting. This reminds of when Fox News covers a story on those "damn liberal-hippies." Both sides are so busy hating each other that they can't figure out most people are actually reasonable. When Jack Thompson says something it sounds just like someone on youtube saying "lolfag." I mean, who honestly fears this man's opinion or power?
Of course, on the other hand, I remember reading the article about the young murderer in Thailand. One of the posters was so kind as to suggest his testicle be removed, ironically enough. In all likelyhood, the general public is probably correct in keeping a closer eye on games with large amounts of violence, especially player induced violence. Video games are a relatively new phenomena in the world of human development, and I would call it premature to say they can't have a negative effect on individuals.
On a less boring and preachy note, "the state, not the country, which is being bombed by someone else entirely" was a funny little tidbit.
Of course, on the other hand, I remember reading the article about the young murderer in Thailand. One of the posters was so kind as to suggest his testicle be removed, ironically enough. In all likelyhood, the general public is probably correct in keeping a closer eye on games with large amounts of violence, especially player induced violence. Video games are a relatively new phenomena in the world of human development, and I would call it premature to say they can't have a negative effect on individuals.
On a less boring and preachy note, "the state, not the country, which is being bombed by someone else entirely" was a funny little tidbit.
@Melaisis
Personally, I don't think that there's any denying that Video Games can inluence someone to a degree. wether that's good or bad is debatable, but they do have effects on the people who play them. But there are so many other variables as to why this person or that person did this and that, some people are quick to blame video games. To a certain degree, they are, but the people who blame video games blame ONLY video games and don't account any other variable like, say, bullying or abusive family members. That's why alot of gamers get uptight about these things.
But other than that, your speech was awesome. you're my hero for the day.
Personally, I don't think that there's any denying that Video Games can inluence someone to a degree. wether that's good or bad is debatable, but they do have effects on the people who play them. But there are so many other variables as to why this person or that person did this and that, some people are quick to blame video games. To a certain degree, they are, but the people who blame video games blame ONLY video games and don't account any other variable like, say, bullying or abusive family members. That's why alot of gamers get uptight about these things.
But other than that, your speech was awesome. you're my hero for the day.
I believe kids go out nowadays to cause trouble, as has always happened. However when they are caught they use GTA as a martyr, if they say that they were influenced by something then they could plead diminished responsibility to gain a lesser sentence, or even a waver.
Damnit people need to step up and take responsibility for their actions, the game didn't grow arms and legs, buy a gun then commit murder, you did.
And what about the parents, how do they not notice their children buying guns? It's up to them too.
And what about the parents, how do they not notice their children buying guns? It's up to them too.
All of this has happened before. All of this will happen again. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seduction_of_the_Innocent]
-- Steve
-- Steve
I didn't play GTA IV yet, but I'm pretty sure that in the other GTA games, to bomb something, you'd pick it up at a random location, usually a store, put it on the ground and press square to blow it up.
Did these kids bring a PS3 controller when they tried to bomb the car? How did they pick up buying, assembling and operating a bomb from that?
Did these kids bring a PS3 controller when they tried to bomb the car? How did they pick up buying, assembling and operating a bomb from that?
I know several recipes for napalm. I can find a way to make nitroglycerin, plastic explosive, lightbulb bombs, you name it. I haven't played GTAIV, and I learnt most of the recipes from Fight Club. You know why I don't roam the streets killing people?
I'm not insane.
Anyone who does roam the streets propably has much bigger problems than playing GTAIV, which I have been reliably informed actually discourages mindless ultra-violence.
Also, if anyone told these people about Saint's Row, their heads would explode.
Crap, I'm going to study journalism. Does that mean I'll meet the people who believe in this crap?
I'm not insane.
Anyone who does roam the streets propably has much bigger problems than playing GTAIV, which I have been reliably informed actually discourages mindless ultra-violence.
Also, if anyone told these people about Saint's Row, their heads would explode.
Crap, I'm going to study journalism. Does that mean I'll meet the people who believe in this crap?
its not inspiring anyone
people just realize they can blame the game for killing and actually get away with it
"im so stupid the game made me kill"
unless u have some sort of mental sickness u shouldn't be that effected by the game
i played gta4 , and i found gears of war to be 10x more violent i mean it has more blood more gibs in gta u shoot someone he just dies and theirs not that much blood , gears of war each time u take someone out there's a little mini pool of blood.
my point is that the game didn't hold u in gunpoint and made u kill.
u kill take responsibility stop trying to blame a good game.
people just realize they can blame the game for killing and actually get away with it
"im so stupid the game made me kill"
unless u have some sort of mental sickness u shouldn't be that effected by the game
i played gta4 , and i found gears of war to be 10x more violent i mean it has more blood more gibs in gta u shoot someone he just dies and theirs not that much blood , gears of war each time u take someone out there's a little mini pool of blood.
my point is that the game didn't hold u in gunpoint and made u kill.
u kill take responsibility stop trying to blame a good game.
While nobody is saying video games can't influence people, most are saying that video games don't do it to sane people, people who's minds are working properly.
Hey, at least you don't live with someone who reckons all video games should be banned because of the small minority that's loco.
Hey, at least you don't live with someone who reckons all video games should be banned because of the small minority that's loco.
serious question here.
Can I go and lure Jack Thompson to Thailand for an anti-video game rally and the kill him. and blame it on Grand Theft Auto.
Seriously...... If Jack Thompson is right I can do it......Thats what he's saying and he's my main hate figure right now
Can I go and lure Jack Thompson to Thailand for an anti-video game rally and the kill him. and blame it on Grand Theft Auto.
Seriously...... If Jack Thompson is right I can do it......Thats what he's saying and he's my main hate figure right now
I think it's rather understandable, that certain people would get defensive about their chosen form of entertainment being described as "influencing murderers" when they themselves have never killed anyone.Melaisis said:
They think themselves to be just another person and figure that their reaction to games and media is normal and by extension, that the person who claimed to be influenced by games is psychologically unstable.
But, I get your point. Two sides yelling at each other doesn't get much done, but it keeps both sides distracted long enough for people to come up with answers, thus leaving each side with nothing to yell about.
Nothin' but truth.
Gawd, I've become quite protective of this thread:
However, hopefully you're not already mentally disturbed before playing it. Gears of War was not played by over 8 million people worldwide. You fight giant space monsters in Gears of War.
Despite the gore, some people may find it a tad easier to define it from reality.
That's right. Go ahead, kill some people, light cars on fire and blame it all on GTA, then grin stupidly. Because you've won. You are not the criminal anymore, you are now the victim. The victim of...wait for it...video game violence!
I wonder where did I see this before. Oh, wait, I know. Back in the day people blamed pulp fiction novels. Then came the era of movies, when Rambo and Delta Force were blamed when a guy went on a shoot-everything-that-moves killing spree. Now all that is gone, and the headlines are full of GTA murders. I wonder what the next scapegoat will be...
The problem is not video game violence. It's the retarded people. But you already knew that, don't you? Because you are soooo not like them. You cannot commit something like that, right? You are so much more intelligent, huh? No, you are not. All it takes is a lapse in judgment, a weak moment, a traumatizing event or a bad idea and presto...you are a killer. When your sanity comes crashing down on you, the first thing on your mind is "I need an excuse". Telling the truth, "it was an accident" is so lame. You need something more convincing. Of course you reach for the easiest of them all: the scapegoat of the era, in our case: video game violence.
"I saw it on GTA" you'll say "They are the bad guys for showing me things like that! It's not that it takes a man so mentally injured, that it takes retardation to the next level, to say things like this, but I'm totally innocent! That GTA game did this to me. It brainwashed me to do it. Those people at T2 are the real murderers!"
You know what? They will believe you. Everyone will believe you. Of course not everyone, but it's enough to let you go, or at least enough to put you in mental ward for a few weeks, and you are out. It's that easy. I wonder if Ted Bundy has played GTA...
I wonder where did I see this before. Oh, wait, I know. Back in the day people blamed pulp fiction novels. Then came the era of movies, when Rambo and Delta Force were blamed when a guy went on a shoot-everything-that-moves killing spree. Now all that is gone, and the headlines are full of GTA murders. I wonder what the next scapegoat will be...
The problem is not video game violence. It's the retarded people. But you already knew that, don't you? Because you are soooo not like them. You cannot commit something like that, right? You are so much more intelligent, huh? No, you are not. All it takes is a lapse in judgment, a weak moment, a traumatizing event or a bad idea and presto...you are a killer. When your sanity comes crashing down on you, the first thing on your mind is "I need an excuse". Telling the truth, "it was an accident" is so lame. You need something more convincing. Of course you reach for the easiest of them all: the scapegoat of the era, in our case: video game violence.
"I saw it on GTA" you'll say "They are the bad guys for showing me things like that! It's not that it takes a man so mentally injured, that it takes retardation to the next level, to say things like this, but I'm totally innocent! That GTA game did this to me. It brainwashed me to do it. Those people at T2 are the real murderers!"
You know what? They will believe you. Everyone will believe you. Of course not everyone, but it's enough to let you go, or at least enough to put you in mental ward for a few weeks, and you are out. It's that easy. I wonder if Ted Bundy has played GTA...