Author |
Message |
harrykims#1fan Fan Girl Muskateer
Joined: 08 Feb 2002 Posts: 2916 Location: Leicester UK
|
Tue Aug 03, 2004 11:58 am Violent Computer games lead to teenagers death |
|
Ok This has been a big topic in leicester just lately did the game manhunt contribute to a teenagers death. Read for yourselves,
Articles courtesy of www.thisisleicestershire.com
Quote: |
The mother of a boy whose murder was linked to a bloodthirsty computer game has called for a ban on a new game said to be even more violent.
Doom 3 is billed by its makers as "one of the most frightening computer games ever" and will go on sale in the UK on Friday, August 13.
The game sees players use a variety of weapons, including axes and chainsaws, to decapitate, shoot or blow up terrifying demons.
Today, *******, whose son ****** was murdered by a teenager she said was "obsessed" with the game Manhunt, said Doom 3 should not be allowed into the country. *******, was murdered in a brutal attack with a hammer and knife in Stokes Wood Park, New Parks, Leicester, in February.
Last week, *********, of Braunstone Frith, pleaded guilty to *****murder, saying he only wanted to rob the younger boy.
After the hearing, ******* parents said *******'s attack mirrored scenes in Manhunt, while police revealed that at one stage it had been considered the sole motive for the attack.
The case sparked a national debate over whether computer games were too violent - and how easy it was for children to get hold of them.
Many stores removed Manhunt from the shelves. *********are now calling for all violent computer games to be banned.
****** said she was particularly concerned about Doom 3.
An earlier version, Doom, was linked to the Columbine High School massacre after it was discovered the game was a favourite of the teenage killers.
*******, said: "It would be good if Doom 3 wasn't allowed to come into Britain at all. That would send out the right message, that we are taking a stand and we are not going to tolerate filth.
"It's concerning that whatever the game, the images of violence are negative, not positive, and I am concerned about the children who see them."
The game will carry an 18 certificate when it goes on sale and retailers have been warned that anyone selling it to a child could face six months in prison.
High Street chain Dixons, which withdrew Manhunt last week, said it was planning to stock Doom 3.
A spokesman said: "We withdrew Manhunt because of the sensitivity of a particular case, but we are planning to stock Doom 3.
"We will leave the decision on whether a particular game is appropriate to the relevant authorities."
Doom 3's maker, Id Software, was not available for comment, but has described it as the "most frightening and gripping first-person gaming experience ever".
******is considering legal action against the companies behind Manhunt - Rockstar Games and Sony.
Leicester East MP Keith Vaz has called for the Government to back any legal action the family may decide to take.
Mr Vaz said: "I think this is a very important test case and the Government should give any help it can." |
Quote: | It is clear to anyone with a modicum of common sense that the tidal wave of violence we routinely see in films and computer games must have a deeply unhealthy influence on some young people. The tragic death of *******at the hands of a youth who was reportedly obsessed by a revolting "game" called Manhunt appears to be another example of this disturbing trend.
Police initially thought the sole motive of killer ******** may have been his desire to copy this game in real life because the murder so closely mirrored it. They now accept ****explanation that his prime motive was robbery. But police research into the game has convinced ***** parents it was central to the brutal attack.
It is hard not to agree given the appalling level of violence used by ****** in his attack and the description of how he found himself in a "dream-like" state as he carried out his assault.
The game maker, Rockstar, and the industry body, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association, predictably hide behind the fact that Manhunt carries an 18 certificate. In other words it is okay to produce something which is grotesquely violent because it is only intended for adults. They ignore the reality that films and computer games carrying an 18 certificate routinely end up in the hands of younger people.
It is a big step to ban things in a free society. Many people would hope that the industry itself would behave more responsibly itself by simply not making products which are so abhorrent. Instead, the level of violence and gore in them seems to escalate year by year.
We can only then agree with *****s parents that this game should be banned from British shelves. We also need a licensing system which acknowledges that children are likely to play these games regardless of an 18-certificate and which is more ready to say that some are simply unacceptable. |
(Names have been deleted)
|
|
|
Oliver Thought Maker
Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Posts: 6096 Location: Antwerp, Belgium
|
Tue Aug 03, 2004 12:24 pm |
|
I don't think Doom 3 should be banned. It's not the games fault that the boy was murdered. The murderer must have been a violent child to begin with. I'm sure that game didn't suddenly turn a totally innocent child into a murderer.
There should be an age limit, I'd agree with that. But a ban, that's too harsh. I wouldn't mind seeing that game myself...
|
|
|
Seven of Nine Sammie's Mammy
Joined: 16 Jun 2001 Posts: 7871 Location: North East England
|
Tue Aug 03, 2004 12:40 pm |
|
I don't think the game caused the murder. The boy who did the murder was 17. He should have known better. OK, so the game was an 18, but how much does a year make? Not that much. I use violent computer games (and the Sims) to take my anger out instead of hurting someone. Before computer games it was violent films. Before films it was comic strips and newspapers. People always look for a scapegoat.
|
|
|
Captain Dappet Forum Revolutionist
Joined: 06 Feb 2002 Posts: 16756 Location: On my supersonic rocket ship.
|
Tue Aug 03, 2004 1:03 pm |
|
You know what country plays the most violent computer games in the world?
Japan.
You know what country has least murders committed per year in the world?
Japan.
I think it's fair to say that it isn't the computer games' fault. It's people. You can't blame computer games for murder.
|
|
|
Kyle Reese Cadet Gunnery Sergeant
Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 5672 Location: The United States of America
|
Tue Aug 03, 2004 1:23 pm |
|
Quote: | An earlier version, Doom, was linked to the Columbine High School massacre after it was discovered the game was a favourite of the teenage killers.
|
Jeez I hate it when they bring that up. Have all adults forgotten what it was like to be a teenager going to school? It sucks! Games don't make kids violent, anger and access to weapons does.
|
|
|
Founder Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 12755 Location: Gamma Quadrant
|
Tue Aug 03, 2004 2:15 pm |
|
I agree with everyone whos posted. It is NOT the games! It is the parents. They have to teach kids the difference between reality and games. My parents beat me over the head with that. Its not always the parents fault. In some cases kids are so young that they cant possibly know that its just a game.
|
|
|
Link, the Hero of Time Vice Admiral
Joined: 15 Sep 2001 Posts: 5581 Location: Kokori Forest, Hyrule
|
Tue Aug 03, 2004 2:58 pm |
|
I think it's funny, people will go out of they way to blame everything on something that has nothing to do with the problem. And the blame always has to be shifted away from the parents and onto the games.
I mean just because I go and play Something like Medal of Honor, or Doom, doesn't mean I'm going to grab the nearest Springfield '03 or BFG and blow people away. Games like that are used to RELIEVE STRESS not to cause Violent intent. "Instead of going insane on everyone, I think I'll blow away some Nazi's"
People need to learn that it's not the violence in games that causes things like this, it's the violence in life, The everyday stress of life (Or school if they're still young) and the constant cr*p kids have to deal with while growing up.
I should know first hand about this. When I was younger, I was that Scrawny pale kid with thick glasses that everyone made fun of, i was also an avid gamer who liked FPS's (First person shooters) and RPG's. because of what I liked and what I looked like, I was kicked and pushed around everywhere. So much so, that people actully began to believe that I'd go and do something exactly like Columbine. But I was able to keep myself in check because knew the line of what's right and wrong. Now, years later, I've grown up, gotten rid of the glasses somewhat, and no longer have people trying to push me around.
It's about the choices we make when we're younger, that turn us into the people we are to become.
It's not the games.
|
|
|
WeAz Commodore
Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 1519 Location: Where you aren't
|
Tue Aug 03, 2004 3:40 pm |
|
how dare that they say this! its not true. im 12 and i play doom 3. its not bad. i know people who play doom 3 and they are 8, it has no effect on them
-------signature-------
At Least In Vietnam, Bush Had An Exit Strategy
It was Bush, not Clinton, who ignored the warning signs for 9/11.
|
|
|
Kyre Commodore
Joined: 15 Mar 2002 Posts: 1263
|
Tue Aug 03, 2004 7:19 pm |
|
Janeway_74656 wrote: | how dare that they say this! its not true. im 12 and i play doom 3. its not bad. i know people who play doom 3 and they are 8, it has no effect on them |
Damn hacker kids. Doom 3 isn't even released yet.
EDIT: So it actually has been released. Not long ago however (today?)
|
|
|
Jeff Miller Fleet Admiral
Joined: 22 Nov 2001 Posts: 23947 Location: Mental Ward for the Mentaly Unstable 6th floor, Saint John's 1615 Delaware Longview Washington 98632
|
Tue Aug 03, 2004 11:13 pm |
|
If the kids were going to kill someone they didn't need a game for them to do it.
|
|
|
WeAz Commodore
Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 1519 Location: Where you aren't
|
Wed Aug 04, 2004 10:16 am |
|
i didnt hack it i got it on the first day it came out ,yesterday! (in america)
-------signature-------
At Least In Vietnam, Bush Had An Exit Strategy
It was Bush, not Clinton, who ignored the warning signs for 9/11.
|
|
|
harrykims#1fan Fan Girl Muskateer
Joined: 08 Feb 2002 Posts: 2916 Location: Leicester UK
|
Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:26 pm |
|
my personal view is that the murderer was very disturbed but what nerved me slightly that the murder was committed in the woods behind the school that i went to
|
|
|
Jeremy J's Guy
Joined: 03 Oct 2002 Posts: 7823 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
|
Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:43 pm |
|
I actually think the games might play a part, but not for most people. There is someone I know that can't handle computer games and if he loses goes totally nuts and takes it out on others. This boy was tested for being insane and the scary thing was that he is totally ok.
|
|
|
Mustkillbret Rear Admiral
Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 2945 Location: Here and There, Mostly There
|
Sat Aug 07, 2004 12:52 pm |
|
If the games weren't there people like me wouldnt think guns where cool, which in ways they aren't, some of my favourite games, Unreal Tournament, Unreal II, Grand Theft Auto 3 & Vice City, all have guns in, its sometimes responsible for the motiviation for such crimes, this is coming from a 13 yr old.
-------signature-------
долженствованиемёртвыйbret - mustkillbret
DONT PANIC!!!
|
|
|
gul Lemek III. Commodore
Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 1513 Location: Slovenia
|
Sat Aug 07, 2004 1:16 pm |
|
I've finished Manhunt, but it seemed nothing special to me and the next day I've forgotten about it totally. I also like FPS's, like Far Cry and RPG's and I play them for fun. I don't take losing personally. Man, it's just a game!
|
|
|
Jeremy J's Guy
Joined: 03 Oct 2002 Posts: 7823 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
|
Sat Aug 07, 2004 5:45 pm |
|
I know, I'm a bit like that but unfortunatly a few people aren't and can't handle stuff and carry it on into real life. I know someone who does.
|
|
|
Melodramatic Rear Admiral
Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 4577
|
Sun Aug 08, 2004 1:19 am |
|
Oliver wrote: | I don't think Doom 3 should be banned. It's not the games fault that the boy was murdered. The murderer must have been a violent child to begin with. I'm sure that game didn't suddenly turn a totally innocent child into a murderer.
There should be an age limit, I'd agree with that. But a ban, that's too harsh. I wouldn't mind seeing that game myself... |
I totally agree with that.
|
|
|
PrankishSmart Rear Admiral
Joined: 29 Apr 2002 Posts: 4779 Location: Hobart, Australia.
|
Sun Aug 08, 2004 1:55 am |
|
As if it's the video games fault.
|
|
|
Defiant Fleet Admiral
Joined: 04 Jul 2001 Posts: 15946 Location: Oregon City, OR
|
Sun Aug 08, 2004 2:59 am |
|
One scapegoat other than the parents or the other...
|
|
|
Link, the Hero of Time Vice Admiral
Joined: 15 Sep 2001 Posts: 5581 Location: Kokori Forest, Hyrule
|
Sun Aug 08, 2004 1:02 pm |
|
Games like Doom 3 already have age restrictions.
Remember the ESRB, these are the people that give out the game Ratings of C (Early childhood), E (Everyone), T (Teen), M (Mature 17+) and A (Adult 18+)
These people test these games before they are every released and stamp the game with the Rating they believe best fits the game.
Doom 3 was marked M. So are , GTA: 3, GTA: VC, and hundreds of other games.
|
|
|
Seven of Nine Sammie's Mammy
Joined: 16 Jun 2001 Posts: 7871 Location: North East England
|
Sun Aug 08, 2004 3:55 pm |
|
They tend to have age guidelines over here, instead of restrictions. That's in the process of changing though (They are using the same ratings as for videos- U (universal), PG (parental guidance), 12 (12 and above), 15 (15 and above) and 18 (18 and over only).)
|
|
|
harrykims#1fan Fan Girl Muskateer
Joined: 08 Feb 2002 Posts: 2916 Location: Leicester UK
|
Mon Aug 09, 2004 2:16 pm |
|
i think that the current guidlines in britain are quiet good allthough the games are still being sold to under 18's
|
|
|
PrankishSmart Rear Admiral
Joined: 29 Apr 2002 Posts: 4779 Location: Hobart, Australia.
|
Tue Aug 10, 2004 3:05 am |
|
^Then that would be the game retailer's fault, not the game developer's.
|
|
|
Starbuck faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003 Posts: 8715 Location: between chaos and melody
|
Tue Aug 10, 2004 10:48 am |
|
These ratings aren't enforced though. I went into bestbuy yesterday, and bought Grand Theft Auto, and no one raised a finger. Same with music, they put a parental advisory on a CD for a reason, Explicit Lyrics, meaning there could be violence unsuitable for children, and again, you go into the store with out a parent, and you can buy the CD with out a problem. I don't think these games should be banned, but I do think the age restrictions should be enforced.
|
|
|
jonathan95 Delta Prime
Joined: 29 Oct 2002 Posts: 1544 Location: UK Newcastle
|
Tue Aug 10, 2004 10:56 am |
|
I dont feel the games are to blame cas in japan they play the mods vilent games all the time yet there death toll is lower.
I feel that violant people are violant no matter what they watch,see,listen or play because the vilolance is already there, the games and music and so forth might make that person slightly more violent but only slightly.
I used to when I was angery go play a b l o o d y game where I could main kill, blow up and destroy everything to get rid of my anger and it worked.
those are my thoughts.
|
|
|
|