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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

115 replies

namechangeress · 04/12/2014 17:50

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?

OP posts:
cheifbrody · 04/12/2014 17:52

Do you have a link to this story?

meditrina · 04/12/2014 17:53

BBC article here

EatShitDezza · 04/12/2014 17:54

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 · 04/12/2014 17:56

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.

Original poster
namechangeress · 04/12/2014 17:58

Yes Auntiestella that's why I wrote UK shops Wink

OP posts:
CruCru · 04/12/2014 17:58

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).

Original poster
namechangeress · 04/12/2014 17:59

eatshit

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

OP posts:
FavaBeanPyramidScheme · 04/12/2014 17:59

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

EatShitDezza · 04/12/2014 18:02

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 · 04/12/2014 18:04

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 · 04/12/2014 18:06

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 · 04/12/2014 18:07

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 · 04/12/2014 18:11

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 · 04/12/2014 18:15

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 · 04/12/2014 18:16

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 · 04/12/2014 18:27

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

SusanIvanova · 04/12/2014 18:38

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. Hmm

Oh and it's violent against men too. Biscuit

ArmyDad · 04/12/2014 18:45

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

GaryTheTankEngine · 04/12/2014 19:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TimelyNameChangey · 04/12/2014 19:05

YANBU.

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

TimelyNameChangey · 04/12/2014 19:06

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

Come on.

ArmyDad · 04/12/2014 19:06

No, but then nor do the women

TimelyNameChangey · 04/12/2014 19:07

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 · 04/12/2014 19:08

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

Greysanderson · 04/12/2014 19:08

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