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Jack Thompson, Gavin Mckiernan tackle Grand Theft Auto 4's mature content

Posted May 2, 2008 at 1:36AM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: PS3, Xbox 360 Tags: CNN, Jack Thompson, parents television, Rockstar North, xbox 360 titles

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When you have a controversial game such as Rockstar North's Grand Theft Auto 4 (PS3, Xbox 360), expect people to speak up about it. That's exactly what attorney Jack Thompson and Gavin Mckiernan of the Parents Television Council have done on CNN Headline News.

Thompson started off by referring to the 2003 Devin Moore murder case and its relation to the Grand Theft Auto series, The attorney then mentioned how Grand Theft Auto and other "murder simulator" games were supposedly linked to other acts of violence, particularly school shootings. Thompson said he is currently working with law enforcement agencies to prosecute.

During the second half of the video, host Glenn Beck shows excerpts from Grand Theft Auto 4 to Mckiernan - specifically the part where a commercial sex worker is killed in various ways. For his part, Mckiernan mentioned scientific studies which supposedly show how violent video games can negatively influence the minds of youngsters.

From the beginning of the video, it's pretty clear what Thompson's and Mckiernan's stand is regarding Grand Theft Auto 4, though Beck indirectly reveals his own opinion about it midway through. If you'd like to hear what they said in their entirety, though, just watch this:

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Dont ya love it when a guy in a nice suite tells you how to live your life! how far up his own backside is he? GTA is a 18+ game whats so hard to understand about that if your an adult you can buy the game and should expect drugs sex and violence. So whats Mr Suites problem? his problem is he thinks were all to dumb to tell the difference between a game and real life, he's worried you'll brake into his manor take his stuff rape his wife and kill him because your uneducated poor scum tapping away at your game pad staring at the dumb box instead of tasting wine and listening to opera. I've a suggestion for Mr Suite loosen your tie plug in a console shove in GTA and try playing it rather than just condemning it or is his mental state so fragile he's worried he'll take out his own family and go drug filled rampage?

# Everybody.. — Meseria 2008-05-02 04:18

Name calling and saying how much you hate him is not a valid argument against his claims.

I would like to ask him, how many teens play this game and NEVER commit a crime in their life? 90+ % i would imagine. So this in my mind directly tells me that GTA and games alike do not CREATE violent teens. However, i can definitely agree with him that violent games can be the key to open a door of violence in some teens. Meaning, the game acts as a trigger for teens who are ALREADY at risk for becomming a violent offender. Furthermore, these same kids would probably become violent at some point in their life with or with a video game.

Another question for Jack would be this. The game is so unrealistic its not even funny sometimes. You can get the cops chasing you, get out of your car and then run away from cops shooting at you no problem. Another thing, many states do not even allow car chases nowadays because its too dangerous for other civilians. The mere fact that you can kill someone, lose the cops and then bam thats the end of their pursuit of you. It does not work this way in real life and anyone that is old enough to actually mindfully play the game and in a normal mental state can see that this is not anything like real life.

The problem is our congressmen. One child goes beserk and blames a video game and then that makes our congressmen want to pass legislation to 'protect' us from harm. I do agree though, much of this content is for older kids, 17+ like the rating says. In the end it all boils down to the parents being responsible. Sure playing this game for 16 hrs a day could harbor some violence in any individual but i think its more of the underlying fact about poor parenting. If they let their child do that what else do they let them do?

# just keeping my eyes out — Nevers 2008-05-02 04:50

... for an in-game version; so's he can have a few woids with my malatov *****tails. Ambulance chaser that he is; I believe the Florida judicial system (go fig) has officially found him basically worse than worthless anyway.

# What are they actually upset about? — Casperr 2008-05-02 05:00

It seems to me like they need to figure out exactly what they are upset about. What is illegal - the game itself, or SELLING THE GAME TO MINORS?!? Most of what Mr. Thompson says is that stores are selling this game to kids. That is illegal, and that is what they should be talking about and actively seeking to ban. The game is just like anything else - adults can watch/play/read whatever they want - minors cannot. I think Meseria is exactly right - kids that play games then commit crimes didn't do it because "the game made them." They have a choice, and they choose to murder another human being. As far as I know, there are murders that are committed by people who have no video game experience at all!! I think I read that someone was killed by another person before video games were even invented! Sorry I don't have a link to the story, but I swear it happened.

# well... — lmxloco 2008-05-02 05:32

I hope Jack Thompson is happy. I get more angry and more violent when I hear JT speak than I ever do when I play GTA.

Playing GTA has a nice, calming effect.

Listening to JT makes me want to stab babies.

# hahaha — Nevers 2008-05-02 06:25

What is QJ getting censored by JT now? Can't type k0ktails, now?

# But... — dragonracer900 2008-05-02 06:43

Wasnt there a agreement between him and take two about jack thompson not begin able to go against take twos games, While take two cant sue him for something jack has done (bully). Guess that agreement didnt last long.

Why is he excluding microsoft, he said he wants to sue sony, take two, etc but left microsoft out. LOL guess he's afraid to go against microsoft because he will get taken down like netscape. The companies need to sue him for a substancial amount of money, so he be in debt. Cant wait for him to retire.

Just let adults play the games if they want to. The game isnt for minors, if you dont like it dont buy it. If kids want the game its up to their parents. Its just like alcohol, if you dont want to drink it dont, but if some kids want to, its up to their parents to decide for them. There are more things to worry about then video games.

# WTF!?!?!?!?! — ISOHaven 2008-05-02 08:09

Jack is right!!!

Look at how violant video games have made all of you!!!

Hehehe.... too funny.

# BRILLIANT!!!! — poeticjedi 2008-05-02 08:47

best idea EVER

take this clip and put it into a radio station on gta in one of the dlcs

COME ON!!! would fit so damn well, i was laughing so damn hard when i saw this yesterday cause of the bit where he goes OH NOES HE COMES ANOTHER CONSERVATIVE!!! !!

this is real live richard bashins

god i love this game, brings out all the morons so u can avoid them

# Are You Serious Jack?? — MrGuy 2008-05-03 04:45

What J.Talk Preaches is Pure Grade A BullSh*T, i have been playing GTA since i was 12 or 13 years old (GTA III), Now i am 18 and since then i can proudly Say That:

1: Have NEVER Gotten The Notion to bring firearms to my school and kill anyone, no matter how much they annoyed me..

2: I have NEVER gotten the feeling to steal a car and go on a Joy Ride Mowing people Down..

3: NEVER said "hey they did this in gta, let me try it"

AND!!!!

4: I CAN SAY THAT I NEVER WILL, BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A VIDEO GAME!!!

So UNLESS SOMEBODY HAS SOME SERIOUS MENTAL PROBLEMS/ ISSUES / FARTS, GTA SHOULD BE FINE TO PLAY.

Seriously, has anyone here said hey, let me go out and kill people because they did it in GTA??

# yeah... — lavino 2008-05-03 11:41

Some kids after watching Matrix killed themselves to try to get out the *SYSTEM* too. Hey, Jack, free yourself from the machine!!!!!

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Jack Thompson, Gavin Mckiernan tackle Grand Theft Auto 4's mature content

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