Grand Theft Auto IV to be Banned?

What impact could this morning's publication of Dr Tanya Byron's review on video games ratings have on the release of Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV)?

The study recommends that video games should have cinema style ratings and this should be a statutory requirement instead of the voluntary code currently in place. This could mean big changes in what games are available and whether they can even make it into the shops without having large parts of the gameplay experience cut from the final release (as happens with films).

[decapitator]

Hope not. The game will probably face a lot of criticism but am sure Rockstar will pull through just like they did with Manhunt 2. It won't be easy though.

[MURKERR]

button down the hatches,mass hysteria everywhere

puurrrrrlease gta4 is not going to be banned i watched her interview she basically said children should be supervised by their parents and an 18 game should be just that, played by 18s and over

sheesh

[Capt CHAOS]

.

[kosha]

us gamers have taken some stick over the years and game ratings are always complained about by the goverment. Remeber the mass effect sex scene when we saw the side of a breast and people were saying it should be banned. If gta4 is banned there will be riots on the streets guaranteed

[Exhaust]

No way anything could be passed in a months time. GTA IV is safe no matter what this doctor's study says. This site just wanted to get hits. They honestly can't believe anything could change in a month...

Just like the rest of us I got sucked in by the title. I want the minute of my life back I lost reading this garbage.

I know one thing I'll go lone wolf if GTA IV gets banned.

[Mr Scooch]

This "report" has been commissioned by the government in the UK and covers Gaming and internet in relation to kids.

I'm slightly worried as before Gordon Brown became Prime Minister he was on a panel that was looking into banning "violent" games. Now he's PM he'll obviously have far more weight to push around.

16 and 18 rated games should be just that! I'm 33 and I've been playing since I was about 8. I don't want my gaming to be ballsed up due to some little kids wanting to play the latest adult game. It's down to the shops to stop selling to kids.

The other day I was in Game and saw the bloke behind the counter talking to a kid of about 12 with his mum saying "have you got Rainbow Six 2 yet?". The kids mum just stood there looking bored and not paying attention. I know I should've stepped in and said something but thought it wasn't my place to do so.

Consoles should be for grown ups only and anyone under the age of 18 found playing them should be shot in the knees (that way I'll have a good reason to stop my daughters from hogging my 360 haha)

[the_gaming_guy]

^^shut up^^

I'm 16, and I play all types of games.

My 360 collection includes

Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
Assassin's Creed
Gears of War
Call of Duty 4
PGR 4
Test Drive Unlimited
Crackdown
Halo 3
FIFA 08

and I am soon to own GTAIV

I love gaming, and I do nothing in the real world represented by these games.

Playing PGR does not make me want to race the streets of London.
Playing Halo does not make me want to wear some damn suit of armor.
Playing Call of Duty does not make me want to go to war.

So be quiet.

[gta_cb]

although i do agree with you as i played the original GTA on PS1 when i was only 10 i do sometimes find myself wishing these 12-16 year olds wounded play 18 rated games, just the way they act i suppose, although obviously im not saying you act the same way.

[AzaziL]

Adults only games, they have the rating but never use it (for the fact that the none of the top three consoles will approve any A-O rated release). It's the next logical step in the gaming industry, figuring that theres a good majority of gamers who are 18 and over. If anything, it would improve the situation since A-O games could be treated in the same category as porn, booze, or cigarettes, meaning chances of a kid being able to buy one at the store will be little to none. Plus games will finally be more mature and less censored without the worry of backlash from gaming watchdogs.

[Mr Scooch]

To The Gaming Child 1.6,

Congratulations on owning those games, you must be very proud of yourself.

My point is that I don't make the rules, but if you break the rules, which in turn leads to me not being able to play an 18 rated game due to it being banned, then I'm going to want stricter guidlines imposed on selling to children.

I don't agree that kids playing violent games turns them into maniacs, but some people in power do think that and ultimately that effects or will effect me playing the games I want to play!!!

[ChrisGTR1]

this game is shure to be banned.... in germany. all R rated games are banned there.

[decapitator]

True but that don't stop the hardcore gamers from still illegally acquiring them though. It will raise a lot of controversies. I can already see FAUX news jumping on this.

[ChrisGTR1]

u mean.. weazel news. ;)

[Ghoul]

@ decap

its not illegal to buy them its only illegal to advertise them if they are banned in germany

only if they are "beschlagnahmt" "forbidden" they are illegal wich only happens to games with swasticas and really really excessive violence

[nn]

it has been already reviewed by USK.

keine Jugendfreigabe gemäß § 14 JuSchG
http://www.usk.de/64_Pruefd...

[pwnsause]

if it was reviewed and rated in Germany(possibly the toughest raters in world who have the power to ban games) then it wont be banned anywhere else.

[ChrisGTR1]

gears and dead rising were banned. i guess RE5 will be too since they dont like zombie games apparently

[Ghoul]

gears wasnt even released in germany
and Dead rising is seized

[LJWooly]

How well do WW2 games sell in Germany?

[shadowghost752]

wud be a large hit to the uk games industry if it is banned in the uk.

If it is i might have to import it from USA,coz my ps3 is region free

[Jack Bauer]

banning games is censorship... censorship is what communists do.

[decapitator]

EDITED: Thanks to Frnicatr

Damn, communists.

[Skerj]

What about all the standards and practices committees that roam free around the States?

[Frnicatr]

Russia isn't communist... You're thinking Soviet Union

[ravinash]

Censorship is nothing new. Its been around for as long as Movies and even books have been around.
Its not just the Communist countries that do it either. Anywhere where this is a group in power who don't agree with the media being produced will try to stop it, whether its for religious reasons or what ever.
Hell, just yesterday they lifted a ban stopping the Rolling Stones playing in Blackpool thats been in place for 44 years.

[Gorgon]

"banning games is censorship... censorship is what communists do."

And americans.

[mighty_douche]

Nothing will happen to GTA, it's got an 18's on the side of the box, its contents should then be unrestricted.

[decapitator]

I agree with you that it probably won't cause too much problems in EU but here in US.. Jack Thompson and Hillary Clinton are waiting patiently along with FAUX news to jump up all over this.

I'd import if anything hinders this game's release here in the US.

[Yi-Long]

... she will absolutely lose the election, cause americans hate censorship and her opponents can attack her on the 1st ammendment and all that, plus she'll have to exolain why GTA4 is that much worse than pretty much any other shooter etc.

So yeah, she might jumo on this, and get some votes from ignorant soccermoms, yet she would lose the vote of rational americans, or just americans who dont want to be censored by their goverment...

And Jack Thompson is a nobody. He belongs in a nuthouse.

I have no idea if this game will be censored in Europe, cause maybe Germany can cause some problems again (Ninja Gaiden was censored because of Germany's dumb laws...), but I will NOT buy a censored game.
If Europe only gets a censored version, I predict the number of modded consoles will shoot right up.

[kingme71]

Hillary needs to censor Bill before she should worry about the rest of America.

[ban fans]

While I admire your enthusiasm (and absolutely agree with you on Jack Thompson), this would not affect Hilary's run for president at all. I think it should, but it won't. Unfortunately, we gamers have no real voice in the government at this time. Yes, we all hate censorship, but the way this issue has been handled by the media (and I mean all media) is that it all gets downplayed and put on show like they did some thing good by protecting our youth from these harmful "video game things".

It is unfortunate, but until the game industry really starts pushing and lobbying for what is right, we will continue to get swept under the rug and ignored. When my local news covered the whole Manhunt 2 controversy, I wrote to point out that the game is intended for adults only (which they conveniently left out of the report) and that they should do a story on games created for and by adults, I was ignored. Until we stand up en mass and fight for our rights, this will continue and the vast majority won't care.

[Skerj]

Maybe parental guidance should stop being suggested and start being enforced. It wouldn't be cruel, I mean they're already trying to stop "mostly" fully functional adults from enjoying a game MEANT FOR ADULTS. Why stop there? I mean they're not MY kids after all. ..

[Citizen Cook]

Only kids and chavs buy it anyway! They like to think they're cool and 'mature' because its rated out of their league. The old PS2 games were crap. Crap frame rate, crap controls, i never understood how they got rated so highly. Yes, its a huge world, just reviewers seemed to be vblind to the bad gameplay. I'm SICK of playing games based around killing someone. Can't we have peaceful games? Can't the aim of the game not be killing hords of enemies? Jesus, when will the industry grow up?

HA HA HA HA!

[Sir Ken Kutaragi 3]

Don't they kill people on Halo 3 and Gears of War then???(on your favourite Console)
;-D
+there sounds like there are lots of kids and chavs who play on xBox LIVE to!!! ;-D
If you don't like it don't buy it, easy!

[TriggerHappy]

Citizen ..what the hell are you on about ?

[Gazman]

Hey if you don't like it then go and play the sims or nintendog.

[meepmoopmeep]

lame. censoring content made for an adult targeted audience? parents and shops should know not to sell kids games rated over their age. why do the games have to suffer or be edited.

[Alcohog]

Whats the difference between an 'M' rating and if it were rated 'R'? It is essentially the same thing, unless I'm missing something...? Are they saying that the requirements that make a game 'M' rated and the requirements that make a movie 'R' rated differ that greatly?

[THC CELL]

GTA will never gat banned maybe cut thats about it

[CRIMS0N_W0LF]

i would not care if its banned. If its out i buy it if its not I won't miss a lot.

[M4H Mactik]

i dont no how you can not care if the game got banned. if it did get banned ill try an put a hit on the person that banned it

[Rageanitus]

dell.ca is selling gta for 50 bucks preorder. (only today dell deals)
This is for both xbox and ps3.
Im picking this up due to the hype.

[Truplaya]

It shouldnt happen, it really annoys me that parents can't be responsible and only let their kids play games they are allowed to. The amount of under 18s on Gears of War annoys me and its an 18 game.

Why cant they put a block on a system so it only lets you play games you are old enough to play. Simply use one of our many ID numbers to determine age or something like that. Oh, that would lose them sales wouldnt it.

[bloop]

They have that on the 360, but, it's up to developers to do it. My 10yr old nephew got Burnout Paradise and can't play it online because EA don't want "children" on their servers. When I got a week ban from Live I was using his profile for that week, and was very surprised to see this when I tried to get on the Paradise servers, but even more surprised when I could get online with his account no problems in Gears!!! Anyway, I agree with you, it does do your head in when youre playing an 18+ game and have little 10yr old sh!ts in the room mouthing off. Hopefully R* will implement the same online policies that EA have with Paradise.

[jessehaysfl]

it WILL NOT be banned way to much money is invested. this is lame. not news.

[Hellsvacancy]

U really r a fu<kn moron, I and MILLIONS and MILLIONS of other people want GTAIV, if u dont like violent games dont buy/play them, its tw@ts like u thats the problem wid this planet, ive played manhunt 1-2 and all the GTA games and never once thought about stabbin sum1 with a screw driver or blow there head off with a shotgun, i know wots real and wots not real in this world, fu<k off and die u fu<kin NARC

[Gazman]

well said, bubble up

[Scenarist]

dude i aint even read this article , i dont even wanna here no crap like that talking about gta4 being banned
hell naw

[Official General]

Read mine and tintin's post below

[titntin]

This is utterly pointless drivel, and just goes to show the dreadful level of journalistic integrity we get now that anyone with a blog site can claim to be writing news! The fact that such atrichous pap gets approved here shows clearly that the whole system of N4G needs to be re-thought..

Anyone who's read the Government report that this idiot is referring to will understand it will not lead to any games being banned at all. Stopping publication of games is not mentioned anywhere, and is not the purpose of the review.

The report makes some decent suggestions about bringing games classification into line with how we classify films, so that parents are better advised about whats suitable for their children.
Any gamer feeling 'threatened' by this must have a truly woeful intellect... :)

[Official General]

I'm from the UK and I live there. GTA 4 will not get banned over here, I just actually saw that Dr Byron woman on the news just now. All that she said was that she wanted a clearer ratings system for video games, especially very violent games that may possibly influence kids. It states that law will just provide a better, clearer ratings system thats easier for parents to understand on her recommendations thats all.

[Forbidden_Darkness]

if they were to be rated like films, couldnt they just release a unrated version? making it have more gore and stuff? that would be effing sweet!

[Mr PS3]

GTA4 should be banned !!
On the 360
The Bots don't deserve this game

[PopEmUp]

You're right

[Jack Meahoffer]

Since you won't be getting the complete experience and will probably be forced into a 30 minute installation to save 2 seconds per load screen.

Then on top the MP function won't work on day one for PS3 like all other third party games.

STFU Sony corporate wh0re

[thehitman]

Reality is that gta is "targeted for adults" but the majority are teenagers who play this and buy this. I been around GTA since i was like 12 which means the audience starts young. However I dont think GTA will ever be banned at least not in the US or censored.

[kalel333]

HAHa I know ! I've been playing it since I was 10 !!! And I turned out just fine. And I've been watching gory, violent, scary movies, "mature" movies since I was age 6 or so ... I'm still in the right frame of mind, haven't gone psycho !

[e-ray]

I came up with a solution that I need to spread or create awareness of somehow... May not be feasible for a few years, but anyhow...

How about video games being designed with/without all the blood/gore and mature language. Then, the game's release software could be without all of it, catering to all ages. The mature-rated content could be unlocked online through online age verification. That way, this crap doesn't need to happen. Granted, it wouldn't work for some inherently violent games like Manhunt and GTA... It could, but I'm not sure how. Not as much business would be lost and everyone could still play the game, albeit some without the gore and bood. "Bans" on video games are unconstitutional, period. The country would operate under treating mature-rated games as something that can be strictly fined for selling to minors and for buying from sellers as minors. Companies would not have to implement the policy of taking violence (blood/gore) out for younger gamers, and could still sell exclusively to 18+, but they would have the option to reach that younger demographic.

I just wrote a 12+ page law paper on the subject, and that looks like the best solution to me...

[titntin]

I'm sorry dude - but you obviously have no idea how games are made and developed.
Whilst your idea is hypothetically OK from an end user perspective, for almost all game types, its impossible to make mutliple verisons of the title. Even for those titles where it might be possible, the costs of alternate scriptting, alternate assets, and the extra QA involved would be far too prohibitive.
Its a bit like trying to cut a violent film to make it suitable for kids - the film no longer has any meaning and is pointless. the same applies for a game, only the terchnical issues involved in cutting it are far more difficult than a simple edit.

If companies want to target kids, then they simply need to make sure the material is appropriate for them. If the concept and execution of a title is adult, then we need to ensure that that it is only consumed by adults. This is no different than any other controlled item in society, wheather its films, alchohol, drugs, porn whatever. Any society that doesn't protect its kids is on an express elevator to hell, and games should be no different.

[e-ray]

Understandable. You're right, I don't know anything about developing video games. It was only an idea, and I only mentioned it in my law paper, it wasn't the forefront or anything, so it's ok. I remember being able to disallow blood in older games... Some WWF one I think. It surely doesn't change the content of the game, which is why I said it would probably not be possible for some. The argument for regulation is still there all out though, that was just one of my ideas for companies to recuperate some of the lost business.

Thanks for letting me know how it works.

[Kirstenlottesovs]

If a clear label on/in the game is all it takes, then sure, label the hell outta it. I do have a feeling it wont help though.
I'll buy any game i want to, and i wont hold back just because of a label stating: "when game is exposed to children, nuke-like explosion will happen"

But what i would do is label the hell outta that Tanya chick.. She be one fiiiine a$$ nigga, you feel me?

[wallace1000]

We should be fine in Canada, people don't really seem to make a huge deal over video games like in some other countries. We don't have that "video games turn our children into killers" crowd

[LONEWOLF231]

DUDE they better not mess with this game!!!!

Rather than F'ing with games they should pay more attention to the violence in movies!!!!

[media73]

The original poster should have his news posting option removed this is false and fake, and probably posed by a child, its uneducated and pretentious. Pointless why don't you read her comments before making upa story, banned? uhh yeah good one dumbass.

[kalel333]

Man I'm getting tired of people who are against video games because they think it's "violent", seriously it's a GAME. If people are stupid enough to go out and shoot people with a machine gun after playing GTA or any other "violent" game such as Manhunt then they should just be labeled as crazy. The reason for that person doing that is not solely based on his video game habits !!!

[OOG FunK]

hmm if they get mvoie rated styles does that mean we could end up being able to buy the UNRATED VERSIONS!? lol cuz that would be interesting

[daftshadow]

Just gives more reason for GTA IV to not be delayed, if there's a possibility. Just push out the game on the current release date so no problems such as this one can happen.

[poeo]

IF GTAIV IS BANNED, WE WILL TAKE IT TO THE STREETS!

NOW WHO'S WITH ME!?

[Venomous_1]

But relax tho it won't happen

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

Don't you DARE!

If we did that, MGS4 might not come out on time.

I'd rather have a game with a good storyline...and let the government in.

[GETPWNT]

PS3 version was already banned. It's missing 3/4 of the content.

[Pain]

"PS3 version was already banned. It's missing 3/4 of the content." Sure u not talking about your IQ?

Its ok prove my Right go a head and flame away lil one. i soo care..

[GETPONED]

emo b1tch

[leon76]

Don't worry pain, Got@ssfckd have no brain at all, so he don't have IQ!!!!! He only have an @sshole instead of an head!!!!!!

[Angelitos]

Its the parents responsibility for what their children receive from the game, not the devs who make the game M rated.

[flappo]

a bit like your skull

[Superiorrior]

"The study recommends that video games should have cinema style ratings and this should be a statutory requirement instead of the voluntary code currently in place..."

I'll take the crappy ESRB system than the MPAA which is even more balogna than the ESRB.

[The Lazy One]

I think she wants the ESRB to rate them, but use similar ratings to the MPAA. Personally, I think that would help a lot. People know a lot more what MPAA ratings mean compared to ESRB ones.

It would really help set apart more childish T games (PG) from more violent T games an M games that aren't any worse than PG-13 movies.

[tonsoffun]

it will onlt be cut if they want to get a younger age rating on it: and condiering GTA always has more 'adult' content, I think they are fine with it.

Hell, in the UK if it is deemed that bad, they could just issue it with a R18 Cert.

[sumfood4u]

Why arent they doing more Background Checks in Pawn Shops, an Stop putting Liquor Store next to them!

[Bruceongames]

What a silly article.
Just scaremongering like the worst of the gutter press in order to get attention.
Byron timetable is two years to implementation. Product evaluation for 18+ will be BBFC, just like it is now. He doesn't know what he is talking about.

[resistance100]

This is now what is happening in the UK.

There is a new board put in place just to rate games :(

Saying that, it could end up better, and maybe the media will begin to see it more than a 'kids toy' now

[videogamer]

i be waiting for long time for this game (i'm sure u guys too) i even pre-order the SE to show i'm one of the fans of GTA.......(tell u guys the truth, i order SE because i want the bag as well :) )

[brothersimon]

Fkin american retards stop trying to ban a great game.

[Iron Man 2]

Ban the Xbox 360 version,those Xzombies don't deserve to play games that belong on Playstation brand consoles/handheld anyway!;)

GTA IV is best on Playstation 3 and part 5 WILL be exclusive so many zombies will be missing out,jump out while you still can,well if you even can,most of you Xzombies are probably cheap as f*ck!;)

[spike]

PS3-SUCKS

[Veied]

It's a freaking game... IT'S A GAME FOR THE GOD SAKE!!! Why would some entities like to ban a game when they all know that it's a FREAKING GAME? This kind of 'ban' crap is getting on my nerves! Get a grip you moronic idiots! I mean, if you want your childs to be raised like the Flanders childs in The simpons, you are not at the right place! Smokers have been told that they shouldn't smoke, with the thousands of commercial playing each day telling us that smoking would kill us. Now these same kind of 'my lil children will never be like that' kind of CRAP is now REALLY getting on my nerves. GET A LIFE WHE ARE IN 2008 not inm 1992!!!!!!!

IT'S A GAME. IDIOTIC PARENTS.

[Organization XII]

seriously I have a 9 year old brother who plays GTA san andreas like atleast 2 hours a day..whats the deal about that, and I'm sure he'll love GTA4..

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

The big deal is...he's nine.

Does that not trigger anything for you?

[Chriswsm]

Its not a problem unless he is tall enough at 9 to reach the pedals of the first car he jacks. He will have to start with jacking scateboards.

He wont kill any prostitutes until he is at least 12 when the hormones kick in.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

There's already a system.

It's illegal to sell a Mature game to someone who is under 17...yes, it's 17...not 18.

Why change it? It would familiarize parents with games more, but it wouldn't change how screwed up our society is.

There's nothing you can do about that.

[Chriswsm]

Its the oldies, the religious loonies, and the politicians that are afraid of loosing the oldie & religious loonie vote that are the threat here.

If a kid plays a game that is unsuitable for that kid we should blame the parents for poor supervision.

If the kid then goes out and does something improper that is game related then we should blame the parents for poor DNA.