to think that UK shops should follow Australia's lead and ban on Grand Theft Auto 5

[namechangeress]

I have never understood why Grand Theft Auto has been acceptable as a main stream game with the amount of violence against women.

Isn't it about time British shops banned it too?

[cheifbrody]

Do you have a link to this story?

[meditrina]

BBC article here

[EatShitDezza]

If you ban one game then there will be outrage to ban more.

I like the fact there's a choice here. Don't like it don't buy it

[AuntieStella]

It's not a government ban.

It's retailers deciding not to stock it any more.

They'll have decided which customer groups are more valuable to their business and reputation.

[namechangeress]

Yes Auntiestella that's why I wrote UK shops

[CruCru]

Retailers can stock (or not) what they like. I've played it (not finished it - I did finish GTA4) and it isn't so different from watching a violent film. What is important is that the 18 rating is enforced - I would not want a child to play this).

[namechangeress]

eatshit

How come the porn industry is not allowed to show violence towards women now but video games are?

[FavaBeanPyramidScheme]

YABU and +1 EatShit. What next? Films/books depicting violence?

[EatShitDezza]

Because there's a difference between real people and animated ones in a game maybe?

I played Spryo The Dragon but I knew dragons weren't real.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

If half what is said about GTA is true then I wish it had never been made, but I can't support censorship.

If you ban that because it contains violence than you could ban the bible's old testament on the same grounds. In fact the bible qualifies more because I doubt GTA says you should act like that in real life.

So keep it from kids because they are not old enough to decide, but let adults see what they choose.

[BoneyBackJefferson]

I would like to know if those that want it banned have played it or just listened to the "social commentary", also what percentage of the games violence is actually towards women?

[Bailey101]

YABU - If you start banning games like that, then films will be next and then books and where does it end?

I play it and have never gone out and carjacked someone or killed a prostitute - games don't make people do violent things, having a fucked up brain makes people violent.

Other people shouldn't get to decide for me what I play, and if parents are concerned about their kids playing GTA then they could try parenting a bit more and not expecting everyone else to censor what their kids come into contact with.

[Handsoff7]

I've only played a small section of the game, but almost all of the violence was against men.

It's been out for over a year. Banning a game long after the vast bulk of sales that will be made have been made looks like a publicity stunt and is pretty pointless.

[MaidOfStars]

Do we ban all media that contains violence? Films, books, music, games?

Fuck me, even MarioKart encourages people to commit violent acts against other drivers by clever placement of banana skins...

[BabyMarmoset]

GTA is violent towards everybody. So the violence towards women is a red herring.

It is also a reflection of media - so the latest game is most heavily influenced by the likes of Heat and Breaking Bad.

So unless you want to ban all violence in all media - which is an argument you are welcome to make - singling out GTA is both pointless and damaging, in that it abdicates the wider responsibility of our culture to appreciate how pervasive all kinds of violence and other assorted "bad things" are across all kinds of mainstream media.

[youareallbonkers]

Why do things have to be banned ? I wouldn't buy it , I suggest you do the same

[SusanIvanova]

YABVU. It is a product designed for adults and deals with adult themes. Perhaps we should just ban (or stop selling) anything with an 18 rating to protect the morally outraged.

Oh and it's violent against men too.

[ArmyDad]

The story line has most of its violence against men, any violence aimed at women is a free chioce made by the player.

[TimelyNameChangey]

YANBU.

Gary do the men in it get fucked and then killed too?

[TimelyNameChangey]

Army do you REALLY think that making the violence against woman an "added extra" like some sort of sick bonus is a GOOD THING?

Come on.

[ArmyDad]

No, but then nor do the women

[TimelyNameChangey]

What would you think if there were optional male prostitutes? And people could fuck them and then kill them? Would that be ok too?

[ArmyDad]

As I recall there is a cut scene in which Trevor has done just that.

[Greysanderson]

Amount of violence against women? Have you even seen the game.