MADD attacks 'Grand Theft Auto IV'

Schuyler Colfax · Post by **Schuyler Colfax** » 2008-05-01 01:47pm

LOS ANGELES - Mothers Against Drunk Driving wants a stricter rating on "Grand Theft Auto IV."

The organization is calling on the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, the independent organization that assigns video-game ratings, to reclassify "GTA IV" as an Adults Only game. The action-driving game, which includes the ability to drive while intoxicated, is currently rated Mature.

"Drunk driving is not a game, and it is not a joke," MADD said in a statement released Tuesday. "Drunk driving is a choice, a violent crime and it is also 100 percent preventable."

MADD is also calling on publisher Take-Two Interactive and developer Rockstar Games to consider stopping distribution of the game — which analysts expect to sell 9 million copies and make over $400 million at launch — "out of respect for the millions of victims/survivors of drunk driving."

In the critically acclaimed open-world game, players have the choice of patronizing a bar and then attempting to drive drunk. While virtually under the influence, the screen becomes blurred and the controls are more difficult to use. Players also have the option of hailing a taxi or walking. The intoxication effects wear off after a few minutes in the game.

"We have a great deal of respect for MADD's mission, but we believe the mature audience for 'Grand Theft Auto IV' is more than sophisticated enough to understand the game's content," Rockstar Games said in a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday. "For the same reason that you can't judge an entire film or television program by a single scene, you can't judge 'Grand Theft Auto IV' by a small aspect of the game."

"GTA IV" follows the criminal exploits of protagonist Niko Bellic, an imigrant-turned-gangster who travels from Eastern Europe to Liberty City, the game's fictional locale based on New York City. As Bellic, players can hijack cars, earn cash for criminal activities, shoot innocent bystanders and visit strip clubs.

MADD declined to comment further about their statement.

Well you'd have to be an idiot not to see this coming.

Illuminatus Primus · Post by **Illuminatus Primus** » 2008-05-01 01:50pm

Its okay to routinely portray killing people, premeditated murder, even selling drugs, but no, no don't portray drunk driving?

Mr. Coffee · Post by **Mr. Coffee** » 2008-05-01 02:47pm

They're just grandstanding because it's a high profile game and they're hoping to get some publicity out of it. I'm sure they won't be the only group either.

Warsie · Post by **Warsie** » 2008-05-01 04:51pm

"Drunk driving is not a game, and it is not a joke,"

It is in GTA IV

Post by **RogueIce** » 2008-05-01 05:13pm

Man, at least Rockstar made it so the cops will go after you for driving drunk if they spot your vehicle. And as they said, there are other options.

I mean, a player can routinely commit far more violations of traffic law and the cops don't bat an eye (speeding, running a red light, hit and run unless it's a cop car) but they do go after you driving drunk. Not that I'm minimizing drunk driving here but it's not all consequences-free (even if you can escape from the cops or not get spotted at all, but hey sometimes that's life) either.

VT-16 · Post by **VT-16** » 2008-05-01 05:24pm

Where's Jack Thompson?

Ritterin Sophia · Post by **Ritterin Sophia** » 2008-05-01 05:28pm

VT-16 wrote:Where's Jack Thompson?

I believe in his last clash with Rockstar, the Judge basically placed a kind of restraining order on him, so he's not allowed to bother them anymore.

Havok · Post by **Havok** » 2008-05-01 05:39pm

Some one should just make a game called "Drunk Driving". Have an 17 year old kid on a mission to get booze for a kegger in his Vett. Hilarity and carnage ensue.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2008-05-01 05:50pm

Since Rockstar North have a licence to print money with the most successful game series around now, why not shut them up with a fat cheque? Or would that be EVIL money won by the perpetuation of horrific virtual violence?

Flagg · Post by **Flagg** » 2008-05-01 06:02pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:Since Rockstar North have a licence to print money with the most successful game series around now, why not shut them up with a fat cheque? Or would that be EVIL money won by the perpetuation of horrific virtual violence?

Let 'em bitch as loud as possible. Free publicity is always nice.

KlavoHunter · Post by **KlavoHunter** » 2008-05-01 06:12pm

Schuyler Colfax wrote:
"Drunk driving is not a game, and it is not a joke," MADD said in a statement released Tuesday. "Drunk driving is a choice, a violent crime and it is also 100 percent preventable."

Fortunately, GTA4 *IS* a game, and this is America, the land of choice. So if I want to, I can choose to play a video game which has absolutely no effect on reality, and get drunk in that video game, and fuck up while driving in that video game.

It's idiot groups that screech shrilly about things like this that make people believe that the Left wants to take away your rights.

Mr. Coffee · Post by **Mr. Coffee** » 2008-05-01 06:38pm

For extra points, drink while you're playing and have you're character drive while drunk.

Pint0 Xtreme · Post by **Pint0 Xtreme** » 2008-05-01 09:28pm

Actually, the game suggests the player take a taxi when they are drunk because you can't even control your character to walk for shit when he is in that state.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2008-05-01 09:43pm

Mr. Coffee wrote:For extra points, drink while you're playing and have you're character drive while drunk.

This is not safe for those with vertigo issues.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2008-05-01 09:44pm

I take a cab in game, because the cops magically know to set up sting ops to check for drunk drivers in that game.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2008-05-01 09:46pm

DPDarkPrimus wrote:I take a cab in game, because the cops magically know to set up sting ops to check for drunk drivers in that game.

Don't forget skipping a cab trip means no ingame time passes, so you can make those impossible appointments!

Kitsune · Post by **Kitsune** » 2008-05-01 10:25pm

If you run over any dogs, PETA will likely be after you as well

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2008-05-01 10:55pm

RogueIce wrote:I mean, a player can routinely commit far more violations of traffic law and the cops don't bat an eye (speeding, running a red light, hit and run unless it's a cop car) but they do go after you driving drunk. Not that I'm minimizing drunk driving here but it's not all consequences-free (even if you can escape from the cops or not get spotted at all, but hey sometimes that's life) either.

That's silly, the cops would come after you for speeding and running lights in Mafia, they even had a sensible reaction, if you pulled over immediately they'd only fine you. I don't see why GTA couldn't have the same.

Ohma · Post by **Ohma** » 2008-05-01 11:59pm

Adrian Laguna wrote:That's silly, the cops would come after you for speeding and running lights in Mafia, they even had a sensible reaction, if you pulled over immediately they'd only fine you. I don't see why GTA couldn't have the same.

Because it's annoying as hell. "Oops! I accidentally ran a red light because the jackass behind me pushed me through the intersection because the devs botched it and none of the other motorists obey that light now I'm in a chase because there was a cop nearby. Oh boy, I have 20 seconds to race halfway across the fucking city, thank goodness the developers were SOOOOO obsessed with making their game "realistic" and I'm now in a four star chase and constantly getting rammed off the road onto a busy sidewalk.

"

RazorOutlaw · Post by **RazorOutlaw** » 2008-05-02 12:04am

Probably because in GTA they want you to outrun the cops and keep the law-breaking thug attitude going.

Either way I think it's hilarious that a game now includes drunk driving. I can understand why people are upset at the portrayal, er choice to make your character drunk, but if anything the game penalizes you for it.

I wonder if they'd throw a fit because characters in World of Warcraft can get drunk and ride their mounts around drunk.

RazorOutlaw · Post by **RazorOutlaw** » 2008-05-02 12:04am

Ghetto edit: First line is directed at Adrian.

Post by **RogueIce** » 2008-05-02 12:19am

Adrian Laguna wrote:That's silly, the cops would come after you for speeding and running lights in Mafia, they even had a sensible reaction, if you pulled over immediately they'd only fine you. I don't see why GTA couldn't have the same.

Well I for one am glad they didn't. Having a damn 1 star wanted level every five minutes would get old quick.

Besides, this is GTA. If the cops tried busting me for running a red light or speeding, I'd gladly pull over...take out my shotgun, and shoot 'em in the face.

Obviously, cops in the GTAverse are smart enough to know there are enough homocidal maniacs in their cities they don't sweat the small stuff anymore. Lets them live longer.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2008-05-02 12:26am

I would have liked a possibility to just throw $500 out the window on 1 star, though. I've had 4-star rampages of chaos and power because someone knocked me through the toll gate without paying (I was still on my side of the intact barrier, so fuck knows how they decided I hadn't paid), but there's nothing to do but run and fight. Does anyone know if the bribe you drop on capture is proportional to stars? The 6-star response is absolutely huge, so a few hundred bucks really shouldn't cut it.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2008-05-02 08:21am

Thing is, would it be cheaper and easier to just fight and try and lose them on six stars? Sounds like a good chunk of change to get rid of the FIB over a normal traffic cop.

Galvatron · Post by **Galvatron** » 2008-05-02 12:25pm

Is there anything worse than an organization of thousands of Maude Flanders clones?

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MADD attacks 'Grand Theft Auto IV'

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