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"Grand Theft Auto 3: Shocking Stuff"

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Fri 26/10/01 at 02:21
Regular
Posts: 787
Ok.
This is the game my PS2 was made for. However, it is massively violent, immoral and just plain wrong.
I am an adult and am clearly not affected by video-game violence, so it's ok for me to like this.

Reasons why GTA3 is good:

Variable weather.
During one mission, it rained, then got foggy, then got sunny again.
The rain effects are incredible and affect the handling of the cars/vans etc

Crashes
I crashed many time and ran away to crash again.
This is a good thing.

Police Cars
They go fast with sirens blazing, the other cars pull over and stop.
So I ran into them and stole more cars

Violence
I beat up several old people and stole their pensions.
Then I beat up some prostitutes and stole their money
Then I beat up more old people, because it was funny and they dont fight back too well
I beat up a police man, stole his shotgun and wandered about shooting old people.
I stole a gang-car and performed a drive-by on several pedestrians, then the police caught me.

-----

Ok, joking apart.
The level of mayhem and wanton violence in this game is shocking, the fact you can shoot old people and rob them, or shoot anyone and rob them?
Or run them down?
or set them on fire?

If I wasn't a responsible adult, and secure that people will play this and realise it's only a game, it'd be worrying.

Incredible graphics, gameplay like you wouldn't believe and it IS the best thing to grace the PS2 so far.
Without exception.
And because it is "only a game", it's amusing to rob, murder and carjack for entertainment.

And the voice acting?
Joe Pantiolano (The Matrix, Bound, The Goonies)
Robert Loggia (Scarface and many, many others)
Kyle Machlachlan (Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet etc)
And others.
This game rules, and I can't deny it made me glad I got a PS2.
Finally, a year after launch (almost), it is starting to show what it is capable of.

Expect The Daily Mail to start it's usual "Ban this sick filth" campaign in a day or two.

And I hope none of you under-18s are playing this, because that would be illegal.
Or something
Tue 30/10/01 at 11:37
Regular
"Infantalised Forums"
Posts: 23,089
Agreed, but I think there is an element of society that will always complain about something.
I personally think it's where you strike the balance that is the difficult thing.

Whilst GTA3 is certainly "mature", I think that it gets the tone right. The comical radio stations, the fact that the murders are brutal, but not overly graphic.
I think it gives the impression of lawlessness, but stops short of graphic violence that something like Soldier of Fortune or Max Payne contains.
(both games that I enjoyed immensley)
Tue 30/10/01 at 11:08
Posts: 0
I can't see anyone wanting to play a game based on paedophilia, even if one was released, as it's not something that a regular person thinks about, where you might think about shooting someone (without ever intending to do it).

But, there is this small minority of people that might enjoy this (twisted individuals) so what would be the harm in releasing it if games have no effect on people?

Maybe paedophilia was a poor example, given that it would probably have to feature child porn - no one would want to see that, and it's illegal and stuff.

Okay, people are obsessed with "Protecting the children!" What about a game in which you kidnapped children for ransom? Try to get the cash from the parentw without getting caught.

We all know the difference between games and reality, but I bet it would cause moral outrage.
Tue 30/10/01 at 10:45
Regular
"Infantalised Forums"
Posts: 23,089
Beetlejuice wrote:
> So you agree, you can do whatever the fun you feel in a game, as it's a game
> there should be no boundaries?

No, that is taking the most basic view of what I am saying.
Paedophilia is not, nor ever would be, acceptable in a game.
GTA3 involved illegal acts, the obvious reactionary notion of using child-abuse as a basis for a game is too easy a target.
Whatever your views on GTA3, it is basically an illegal set of activities you can participate in.
The breaking of law for profit, for personal gain.
Not profoundly immoral child abuse, the condition of years of similar systematic abuse and, more often than not, a psychological misfunctioning.

You simply cannot compare stealing a car and (simulated) video game murder, to the idea of active (albeit simulated) child abuse.

That argument does not stand up to any reasoning whatsoever.

Stealing cars and shooting pretend policeman is not even on the same level as what you suggest.

To say "Well then anything is acceptable" is a nonsensical idea.
And, if you do want to take it to that extreme, sure why not bring a game about child abuse out?
It's my choice to not play it or buy it.
Tue 30/10/01 at 10:27
Posts: 0
After reading a lot of other peopleís views, I have decided to post my thoughts about this game without having played it. I do not need to. I know all the things that I can do in this game, all the laws I can break and all the violence I can achieve. The question still remains :

Is it right for such a game to be produced ?

I am looking forward to playing this game tremendously. When I do, I cannot wait to indulge in drugs, robbery, dangerous driving and prostitution. I would consider myself to be a normal enough person, regardless of what others say. My girlfriend does not want her daughter to play this game and I will not let her. However, I am right to be excited about enjoying such a game. As said before, if a game about abusing children was ever made, it would be banned instantly but causing harm to innocent old people gets past the censors.
Restricting a game to people aged over 18 is of no use. The people that are likely to copy and committ such deeds acted in this game are over 18 anyway. If I was being incredibly correct, I would want this game banned. I would want to stop everyone from playing it and imprison the creators. It does not matter if you say that it effects only "Morons" because it is morons who grab guns, commit crimes and effect other peoples lives in ways that you cannot imagine. If a "Moron" shot dead someone you knew, your opinion might differ. But, I believe that speech and other creative forms of expression should be left to each individual. I cannot vouch for all in society to say that they will not be effected but until it becomes illegal to play or create such games, GTA3 and others will exist. The normal game player hurts nothing but his/her own eyes by staring at a screen for hours. Although I do not like our TV culture and its effect on children, people over 18 are welcome to do what they wish. Some might say that these people are better off acting these scenes out in a game in the safety of their own homes, rather than being bored out on the streets.
Whatever your view, the fact remains that these style of games are popular, well-made and generally very, very entertaining. If you believe that this is a major problem in society, then petition your government and get them to do something about it. If you belive these games are harmless fun, then enjoy them while you can before they are banned. The restrtictions will increase as such violence and aggression continue to exist.
If you are honest, regardless of how much you enjoy the game, you would understand if it was banned tomorrow.
Tue 30/10/01 at 10:10
Posts: 0
So you agree, you can do whatever the fun you feel in a game, as it's a game there should be no boundaries?
Tue 30/10/01 at 10:04
Regular
"Infantalised Forums"
Posts: 23,089
*kneejerk reaction*
He said paedophilia! In a game! Shocking!

Not the most ideal of examples.
Why? Stealing cars and murdering is just as bad isnít it?
Not at all, canít even compare. GTA3 is a game intended for a mature audience. That doesnít mean adult (18+) but a mature audience. One that can play the game, enjoy it for being a video game, and then turn it off and worry about the little creatures in the world.
Yes, we are a well balanced group of individuals, and those that have been screaming about games influencing behaviour would do well to look at the people here. But nobody ever asks those involved do they?
Itís always ìexpertsî and ìProfessorsî instead of asking those of us that actually play them.
I asked, in a couple of posts down, has ANYONE copied what theyíve seen?
And the answer, without deviation, was ìNope because itís a gameî.

Doesnít matter about VR headsets where we would be expected to mimic the actions, itís still just a game.
Arcade machines have fighting games where you can whack rubber pads, yet I have never had the urge to go out and start a fight after playing one.
Why?
Yet again, ìItís just a gameî.

A release: A catharsis from the drudgery of everyday lives.
It allows you to do something that is fun. And a large part of fun is the illicit thrill of breaking the law.
Itís why there are so many movies about serial killers etc, people are drawn to the macabre and sinister. Have been since Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein or Dante scribbled his ìInfernoî thing.
Being naughty appeals. Itís the Bluebeardís wife thing of ìDonít look in that roomî.
You want to, simply because youíre not supposed to.

Same with GTA3, nobody is seriously going to go out and commit any of the acts depicted and if you did? Youíre a moron, and you canít blame any video game or movie or song.
Itís the same old tired whine of ìJudas Priest made me do it!î.
Doesnít stand up, time and time again cases like that have been thrown out of court and dealt with in the contempt those arguments deserve.
Being stupid is not the fault of games developers or movie studios or musicians.
Every single person here has described what you can do in GTA3, but always jokingly and with ìCool!î.
Does that mean everyone in this thread is a depraved maniac, waiting for the right moment to run out and commit a man-mental?
Nope.
It means that every single person here plays a video game, then turns it off and goes out to interact with friends, family members and doesnít for one single second think ìCool, Iím going to carjack me that truck and kill people!î

People have committed murder since we swang through the trees and ate dirt.
No games around then, no movies around to pin blame to.
Unfortunately, some people are idiots, but donít tar everyone with the same brush.
Tue 30/10/01 at 09:38
Posts: 0
And what a bunch of well rounded individuals we are!

Full comprehension of the differences betweeen stuff in real life, and games.

So it's absolutely 100% acceptable to steal cars, beat old ladies and murder policemen, because it's a game, and we know it's not real.

So, would there be a problem if someone released a game in which you played a paedophile, and you had to kidnap children as they walk down the street?

After all, it's only a game, and us well rounded individuals fully understand that it's not real. We don't do as we see - we're not monkeys (do monkeys copy what they see?) so does that mean that there should be no boundaries whatsoever in videogames?

What about in the future, if VR headsets, and body movements are to be involved in games, and we really have to throw punches at these holographic old women in order to weaken them to steal their purses, would it make any difference? It's still just a game, and we won't suddenly lose the ability to understand the differences between games and reality, just becaus ewe have to move our bodies, will we?
Tue 30/10/01 at 09:09
Regular
"Infantalised Forums"
Posts: 23,089
Mystique wrote:
> eyyyy got me a hooker today and my car was a rockin so dont come a
> knockin!

goatboy have you hijacked a plane yet?

Nope, haven't been able to play it since Thursday night.
And can't tonight either.

Damn.
Tue 30/10/01 at 08:37
Posts: 0
pb wrote:
> I can't believe how great this game actually is. Worth getting a PS2 for,
> that's for sure.

I have only been posting for a short period of time but I have never seen so many people commenting about a game, so many people wanting to comment about a game or claiming that it is the game to buy a console for. I can't wait to get my copy !!!
Tue 30/10/01 at 08:14
Moderator
"possibly impossible"
Posts: 24,985
I can't believe how great this game actually is. Worth getting a PS2 for, that's for sure.

Loads of hidden tunnels and old tramps to knock over as well, plus you seem to find something new every time you play.

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