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- Calgary Police Consider GTA IV A “Grave Concern”
- Posted 7 months, 1 weeks ago by Veggie Jackson
Today’s Calgary Sun features a report on the upcoming release of soon-to-be-megahit Grand Theft Auto IV. In the article, they speak with Kevin Brookwell, a spokesman for the Calgary Police who states,
“From the Calgary Police Service perspective, we see these types of video games as a grave concern… Because of the lack of consequences and even reward — (youth) don’t understand the impact violence can have.... In some cases, those very games may be training grounds for people to commit criminal activity.”
This again? Seriously? Why do none of these people who are soooooo concerned about the game bother to even remotely research the game? There are absolutely consequences for violence – the cops come after you. Just like in real life. And there is no reward for it, either. These critics seem to think we’re still in the Pac-Man era, when most games had actual points.
I’m not going to try to say that GTA isn’t violent. It definitely is. Just like Call of Duty 4, the Saw movies, the WWE and the Old Testament: all things that children probably shouldn’t be exposed to.
And then there’s that tried and true argument that the games are a “training grounds for people to commit criminal activity.” If you use GTA as a training simulator for criminal activity, I seriously doubt you’d make it more than a few yards. You can’t just steal cars by walking up to them and pressing a button, you know.
I get why the police are none too happy with the game, what with all the cop-shooting that goes on, but c’mon. Let’s be realistic about this. There are lots and lots of violent influences out there, and GTA is no more influential than a Rambo movie or 30 seconds of a Fifty Cent album.
If you want to know how to keep kids from being affected by GTA IV, read this very sane message from the ESRB and NIMF.
Besides, GTA doesn’t even have a hockey stick as a weapon, so Canada’s safe.
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Comments
I learned everything I know about hot-wiring cars from playing GTA III (open door- get in-drive away)....Actually come to think of it, the game didn't improve my criminal abilities in any way....I did learn how to beat up hookers though.....
Any wannabe criminal who acted in real life like you do in a GTA game should be a cops dream meal ticket - they'd get caught really easily and end up doing 25 to life real quick.
Am I wrong?
I don't know where you guys get your information, but we don't say "aboot". Whats your problem, eh? Hosers.
Eh? What is this all aboot?
ALWAYS FUNNY.