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GTA Stirs Controversey When It Shouldn't

Blog written by Ichi2 on August 8, 2008 at 11:04 PM | 1 Comment

So I've noticed this week in my internet travels that there have been a number of crimes that were linked back to Grand Theft Auto 4. I've decided that it's worth taking a look at whats happened these past few weeks in general and how video games shouldn't be a big concern at the moment.

Let's start with the GTA side of things. In Thailand there was a brutal murder and hold up of a taxi cab driver where a youth supposedly wanted to "reenact Grand Theft Auto". Not only have I heard nothing about this event since it happened but it has seemingly been deemed important enough for an association of Spanish taxi drivers to call for a ban on GTA due to this killing. Nothing has been confirmed over whether or not GTA had anything to do with the motive of the killer in this tragic event, usually unions like to wait for something concrete before they jump to the initiative, mind you I would bbe more than happy to take all this sarcasm back should it be sufficiently that GTA was a cause in this crime.

Apparently CAP, a Malaysian consumer association has called for a ban due to the murder of the Bangkok cabbie, I would like to advocate how odd it is for a consumer association to lobby censorship, seeing as how that is generally what they protect against.

Next up there was a big anti-war protest in front of Ubi-Soft in California claiming that the game America's Army violated the law against lobbying recruitment into the armed forces for individuals under 17. At first I wasn't quite sure what to make of this one as it is not something you hear about everyday and is therefore possibly plausible. However, as usual, I grew more pessimistic as I thought about it more. I could possibly see this as a problem had America's Army been some major mega seller, but that wasn't the case. Anti-war sentiment is so hot in America right now that anything to do with it is generally crapped upon. Personally, I disagree with the war but I will always support the troops as it is not their choice and this protest reeks of the kind of crowd that would sooner turn on our troops to disagree with the war than realize that the current presidency is over in a couple of months.

On top of these two there was an arson perpetrated by a teenager who claims to have learned how to make a Molotov cocktail through GTA 4. I know this one is fictitious as I have played through GTA 4 in it's entirety (that's right, 100% completion) and in no where does it mention how to make a Molotov. The whole situation kind of reeks of a kid trying to find a way to shine the light on something other than himself when they get to court.

Now however let's look at whats happened in the world recently and how none of these issues should be as publicized as they are in comparison.

For starters just this morning Russia invaded Georgia in order to stop terrorists who have repeatedly killed Russian citizens, however in this process they will probably destroy most of Georgia. Anyone else see the smile on Putin's face at the Olympic opening ceremony tonight?

Speaking of which, the Olympic games began tonight with one of the most fantastic opening ceremonies I have ever seen. This is arguably one of the few times the world is so close together (timing, Russia?) and it deserves the air time these meaningless issues are getting instead.

These are two pretty monumental events and their show is being stolen by a few petty efforts at censorship over a tragic murder, a bleeding hearts protest meant more to hurt than do anything effective, and a stupid teenage act of vandalism gone wrong. Kinda puts things in perspective huh?

-Ichi