MADD, upset that a Grand Theft Auto IV game module allows players to drive drunk, requests Entertainment Software Ratings Board to reclassify the new video game.
Today, Rockstar Games released the latest and highly controversial edition of the Grand Theft Auto video game series: Grand Theft Auto IV. The latest GTA edition, rated “M” for Mature, includes content descriptions for “Intense Violence, Blood, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Partial Nudity, Use of Drugs and Alcohol”, as outlined by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, or ESRB.
The new Grand Theft Auto, or GTA, game is even more sought after than its predecessors, with high-definition graphics, multi-player modes, and options to play online, with up to 16 players, not previously available. These significant improvements make the game ever more attractive, almost ensuring its success in the gaming world.
According to the ESRB rating, Mature video games “may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language” and are not suitable for players under 17. Although the video game has already been rated “Mature”, the game series has been enjoyed by teenagers under 17 years of age, around the world.
MADD Concern over New GTA Game
MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, issued a press release to members, urging them to voice their concern and opinion to retailers such as Amazon.com, Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Circuit City. The organization is asking the ESRB to reclassify the rating assigned to the new GTA adventure, increasing it to an Adult Only game. The Adult Only rating would increase the age recommendation to 18 years or older, making the game unavailable for purchase by minors.
MADD is also requesting that manufacturers consider stopping distribution, “out of respect for the millions of victims/ survivors of drunk driving.” MADD insists that making a joke of drunk driving is a serious offense. Recently, the organization has solicited increased public support, from law enforcement, lawmakers, media and the public, initiating a ”Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving”.
MADD’s Other Campaigns
MADD has been Tying One on for Safety since 1986, bringing more awareness to the problem of drinking and driving, especially during the holidays. These red ribbons are placed in highly visible areas of vehicles, like the antenna, to remind everyone not to drink and drive. As more drivers place these red ribbons on their vehicles, MADD hopes to bring a heightened awareness to the epidemic of drunk driving.
MADD also promotes the "Designate a Driver Program", as a proactive way to deter drinking and driving. This program simply aims to have people plan ahead by designating one person to provide safe rides by staying sober. As groups travel to special events and parties together, MADD wants each group to designate someone to provide a safe ride home. By planning ahead, there is no question as to who is driving or how the group will be getting home. The Designate a Driver Program can be used throughout the year, not only during the holidays.
The copyright of the article Grand Theft Auto IV Troubles MADD in Video & Online Games is owned by Aurae Beidler. Permission to republish Grand Theft Auto IV Troubles MADD must be granted by the author in writing.
Like many M.A.D.D supporters such as myself and my family, I believe they are an orginization that brings forward much needed effort to change the laws reguarding drunk driving as well as it's advocacy services to assist families that have suffered the loss of family and friends as well as educating people into the effects of drunk driving related incodents.
Recently, I recieved an email from M.A.D.D like I always do, but this time it struck a sour note with me. I feel like the orginization maybe loosing its focus a little.
Here is the email I received: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Each year nearly 13,500 people die in drunk driving crashes and another half a million are injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes. This is why MADD is extremely disappointed by the decision of the manufacturers of the game Grand Theft Auto IV to include a game module where players have to drive drunk.
Drunk driving is not a game and it is not a joke. Drunk driving is a choice, a violent crime and it is also 100 percent preventable. MADD is calling on the Entertainment Software Ratings Board to reclassify Grand Theft Auto IV as an Adults Only game, a step up from the current rating of Mature and for the manufacturer to consider a stop in distribution if not out of responsibility to society then out of respect for the millions of victims/survivors of drunk driving.
If you are concerned about the content of Grand Theft Auto IV, please contact the retailers below and voice your opinion.
Amazon.com Best Buy Circuit City EB Games and GameStop Wal-Mart ---------------------------------------------------------------------- First off, let me start by saying I totally support MADD in every way possible. My wife is a victim/survivor of a "drunk driver" related accident which killed her first husband. We attend the vigils, walks, donate money, time and whatever else we can to support MADD and the message it conveys. My heart goes out to everyone and anyone effected by a drunk driver.
Now onto my rant:
I used to work at a Video Game Store as a store manager, and I as well as my informed staff, would not let ANYONE under the age of 17 without ID, purchase the Grand Theft Auto game or games similar. It is part of the process that is handed down from corporate. If they got their parents to come in, or an adult purchase it, I would inform them of the violence and whatever else that runs throughout the game. If they still choose to purchase it for the kid, hey that is all their responsibility. I have enjoyed playing the GTA based games.. does that make me a bad person..NO, so why should I be disadvantaged about having a video game sensored or taken off the shelf. IT IS UP TO THE PARENTS TO TEACH RIGHT FROM WRONG.
With that being said, this censorship everyone has with the video game industry has to stop. Everyone is worried about "Rockstar" and the whole Grand Theft Auto game that teaches teaches our youth bad things and I am so sick of hearing about this. It is just as bad as my fellow, but extreme Christians that want to burn Harry Potter books because they teach witchcraft, or the gun activists that want to remove my right as an American to own a gun. Sure, burn the books that spark imagination, or take away my freedom to read whatever you want. Go back and look at Australia's crime levels since they took away guns from their people.. crime and violence agains non-gun owners by gunned attackers skyrocketed... and gun free zones around the U.S just breed more criminal activity and gangs. As far as drunk drivers go, we need tougher laws... none of this 9x LICENSED, drunk driver convictions. MADD should focus on the drinking of Alcohol, the effects of drunk driving, and the consequence of those actions as well as taking these efforts to the extreme in order to get laws changed. At this point I am preaching to the choir... but STOP holding manufactures of product to blame.
I drink beer occasionally, I shoot my guns at a range occasionally and I play video games of every kind, and have so for a long time. Has it made me a criminal, violent, think I have super powers or a drunk.. NO...
AT WHAT POINT DO THE PARENTS BEGIN TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN CHILDREN.
Watch what they watch, observe what they buy, and pay attention to what they do and who they hang out with! There are even programs to help monitor your children's internet habits, but do people take that extra step... NO, the majority does not. They demand the creators of the games do it for them because they have no time to teach their children themselves. The same thing goes for movies and cartoons that are no longer aired because they tend to send the wrong message. "What message is that? I grew up on cartoons and video games" I turned out fine (eyes are twitching as I say this.. lol)
Our School systems do a good job at sending positive messages to tour children. They can only teach from 7:30pm-3:00pm, but you have no idea how many parents do not take an ounce of interest in their childrens afairs after school and simply consider school a daycare center. Too many parents feel from 7a-3pm "out of site, out of mind". These same parents complain when something bad happens to their kid because they think the school should do better. Again, IT STARTS AT HOME!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why should M.A.D.D waste their efforts on turning the rating on the game to 18, when you can even look at the movie theater rating system when a 17 year old can go into an R rated movie just the same. Take a closer look at the movie theater rating system:
Movie Theater Ratings: NC-17 (equal to mature on video games) An NC-17 rated motion picture rating simply signals that the content is appropriate only for an adult audience. An NC-17 rating can be based on violence, sex, aberrational behavior, drug abuse or any other element that most parents would consider too strong and therefore off-limits for viewing by their children.
Rated R (equal to Adult on video games.. but still lets 17 year olds in) An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counseled to take this rating very seriously. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Parents are strongly urged to find out more about R-rated motion pictures in determining their suitability for their children. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures. Notice, that they almost say the same darn thing?? So I may see more "Boobs" in an R flick over an NC-17 flick.. but they both have the same outline.
PARENTS NEED TO TAKE A ROLL IN THE UPBRINGING OF THEIR CHILDREN, IT IS NOT EVERYONE ELSE'S RESPONSIBILITY!!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Teaching YOUR children starts with YOU. You don't want your kids to watch it, see it, or read it, turn it off, or block the channel from your TV, not mine!
Or you can move to Afghanistan and IRAQ where Batman, Spiderman and Barbie are becoming illegal at this very moment!
Apr 30, 2008 2:33 PM
Aurae Beidler
:
Thank you for your comment. I myself am a victim of drunk driving, and lucky to be alive. I received the e-mail from MADD yesterday, and immediately had to write something about it. I agree that parents need to take more responsibility for their children. I also think that society needs to be more responsible for its actions and products too. It seems that making a profit is all that counts anymore. I disagree with that. I'm glad to have you as a fellow MADD supporter!
May 1, 2008 8:40 AM
Guest
:
Madd is a terrorist group against responsible and irresponsible drinking. Until those fascist develope the abilty to distigush between the two, I have nothing but ill-will toward the entire organization.
May 1, 2008 10:52 AM
Naomi Rockler-Gladen
:
I oppose censorship strongly. But I also strongly feel that free speech doesn't mean you get to speak without criticism. Respecting free speech doesn't mean you can't condemn other speech that you disagree with or find dangerous.
The makers of Grand Theft Auto are exercising free speech by creating their game. MADD is exercising their free speech by expressing their outrage at this game, and by calling on it to be regulated more heavily. They have the right to do this as much as the corporations make that game, don't they?
It seems to me that whenever somebody criticises anything in the media, the reaction is, "Shut up! Let the parents handle it!" Seems to me this is as anti-free speech as anything. MADD has a right to their opinion. If people disagree with MADD, they have the right to do that too, of course-- but it bugs me that people tell MADD and similar groups to "shut up" when they exercise their free speech.
May 1, 2008 11:44 AM
Aurae Beidler
:
Before I received several "Guest" comments, calling MADD a terrorist group, and making violent threats against them, I hadn't even thought that citizens of this country would be against the organization. MADD wants to fight against violent crime, crime that is easily stopped by deciding not to drive after having a few drinks. It's that simple. I just don't understand how people could be against this organization!
If the driver who rammed into my car head-on, full speed had just decided to have a friend take him home from the bar, then I wouldn't have had to spend time in the hospital, or had months of pain and suffering, or my friends and I could have enjoyed the summer together. Now, we deal with the crime committed against us, everyday, memories engrained into our minds for the rest of our lives. We are very lucky to be alive!
Besides, what's wrong with social responsibility? Adults can enjoy this game all they want, knowing the difference between right and wrong. Teenagers on the other hand, still have a lot to learn!
May 2, 2008 9:18 AM
Guest
:
I am the original poster of this M.A.D.D rant and first of all, M.A.D.D isn't a terrorist group. The people who think that shouldn't be allowed near a keyboard, much less a video game.. haha... and probably (generalization here) love their alcohol a little too much and are offended by them... but there is that free speech thing.. so you are allowed to make stupid comments all you want.
For the record, I only support my LOCAL chapter of M.A.D.D because they are a little more focused on the real situations "Drunk drivers, Victims, awareness and toughening laws".. not this holier then thou, glorified "Lets take the video games off the shelves.. blah" take on it.
Now in response to Naomi, You are absolutely right.. it is free speech to be able to say anything for that matter. But as an organization to come out and say something like that, wouldn't you expect the majority of your members to agree? .. I myself am a little turned off by M.A.D.D now.
I personally feel that if you career is a Musician.. stick to your music and entertainment career.. I am not paying to see you in concert or buying your CD's for your political views. Once you jump over that barrier, some of your fans will dissappear.. then again.. some won't.
As far as the M.A.D.D organization, I belong to it because I believe in its cause to fight drinking and driving. Not bashing video games because they think it sends the wrong message to our youth. especially when they venture into other waters like protesting a video games, it lessens my support on the national level.
May 2, 2008 9:19 AM
Guest
:
MADD is completely out of control. Among its long list of abuses, it now puts out lies about video games to drum up media attention? Sad really. I have played the game mentioned. It does not make the character drive drunk. It does not make the character drink. If the player chooses to send the character to a bar and drink, the game suggests that you take a cab! It even provides a free cab! If you choose to drive, it is virtually impossible to arrive at your destination without crashing and getting arrested. As usual, MADD ignores the facts to further their agenda. Sadly that agenda stopped being the prevention of drunk driving long ago. It now exists only to sustain itself.
May 2, 2008 10:39 AM
Guest
:
Original poster again..
I just got to the mission in question. Driving drunk is not mandatory for completing it. The game even suggests that you call a taxi.
What a joke. Let the ESRB do its job, that's what it's there for.
