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MADD attacks 'Grand Theft Auto IV'

By DERRIK J. LANG,

Posted: 2008-04-30 19:54:05

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Mothers Against Drunk Driving want a stricter rating on "Grand Theft Auto IV."

The organization is calling on the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, the independent organization that assigns video-game ratings, to reclassify "GTA IV" as an Adults Only game. The action-driving game, which includes the ability to drive while intoxicated, is currently rated Mature.

"Drunk driving is not a game, and it is not a joke," MADD said in a statement released Tuesday. "Drunk driving is a choice, a violent crime and it is also 100 percent preventable."

MADD is also calling on publisher Take-Two Interactive and developer Rockstar Games to consider stopping distribution of the game - which analysts expect to sell 9 million copies and make over $400 million at launch - "out of respect for the millions of victims/survivors of drunk driving."

In the critically acclaimed open-world game, players have the choice of patronizing a bar and then attempting to drive drunk. While virtually under the influence, the screen becomes blurred and the controls are more difficult to use. Players also have the option of hailing a taxi or walking. The intoxication effects wear off after a few minutes in the game.

"We have a great deal of respect for MADD's mission, but we believe the mature audience for 'Grand Theft Auto IV' is more than sophisticated enough to understand the game's content," Rockstar Games said in a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday. "For the same reason that you can't judge an entire film or television program by a single scene, you can't judge 'Grand Theft Auto IV' by a small aspect of the game."

"GTA IV" follows the criminal exploits of protagonist Niko Bellic, an imigrant-turned-gangster who travels from Eastern Europe to Liberty City, the game's fictional locale based on New York City. As Bellic, players can hijack cars, earn cash for criminal activities, shoot innocent bystanders and visit strip clubs.

MADD declined to comment further about their statement.

On the Net:

Mothers Against Drunk Driving:

http://www.madd.org

Entertainment Software Ratings Board:

http://www.esrb.org

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

04/30/08 19:53 EDT

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rollinpace4lyf 07:21:50 PM May 04 2008

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This is just nonsense. What about in the movies? Aren't we watching those movies that are filled with violence, sex, drugs, etc? Are people going around doing those stuff they watch on the movies, such as shooting others and jacking cars?
GTA games are rated M for a reason. No one said that you have to buy the game for your kids. It is obviously the parents responsibility to make sure what type of games their kids are playing. If you don't like it don't buy it. And just like raidenbk said, if you actually do the stuff that's in the game in real life, you seriously need help.
Just because it's a popular game, that's why it is being attacked.
GTA 4 is definitely is a game that is one of the kind and by far one of the best games for next generation consoles. And I'm about to go play some more GTA right now haha.

raidenbk6701 08:51:21 PM Apr 30 2008

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I say the game being rated mature is fine. The game is for people 18 and older which makes it for adults. You can only buy the game if your 18 so there is no problem with a store clerk selling it to a minor. Otherwise then that if you have common sense you wont do anything that was put into that game. If a person goes out and does the stuff they see in GTA then they are idiotic and need help. I have the game and obviously wont dont any of those things in real life. I got more sense than going out and driving drunk and shooting people on the street. And another thing this game doesnt promote drunk driving. Yeah you can get drunk and drive but just like in real life there are consequences for driving drunk. In the game you cant drive properly when you are drunk and majority of the time you crash and end up in the hospital which would be self explanantory meaning if a guy in a video game drives drunk and crashes then obviously it can happen to you and you actually will be the one getting

threeguard23 08:40:25 PM Apr 30 2008

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obviously, eric other people's business has not leaked into your personal business affecting you. if you didn't read, all they are asking is for a stricter rating b/c some punk like you will play it glorifying driving drunk and then go try it and end up killing someone making your business everyone elses. hopefully when you do drive drunk, you will kill yourself and no one else! piss off.

jeeptoddjeep 08:39:54 PM Apr 30 2008

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MADD is a powerful, controlling, insane group of fanatical extremist. Sound familiar?

ericccote 08:30:01 PM Apr 30 2008

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My God. Is this or is this not a free country? Why do certain people always feel the need to protect others? Why not just live and let live, and stay out of other people's business.

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