'Grand Theft Auto' Makers Fight Lawsuit

yahoo.com | Nov 11, 8:19 AM | DUNCAN MANSFIELD

[freepatriot32]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The creators of the video game series "Grand Theft Auto" want a federal judge to dismiss a $246 million lawsuit filed by the families of two people shot by teenagers

Rockstar Games and its New York City-based parent, Take-Two Interactive Software, said the victims' families were trying to hold them liable "based on the expressive content of the video game."

Retailer Wal-Mart and marketer Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., are also named in the lawsuit.

Aaron Hamel, 45, was killed and Kimberly Bede, 19, was seriously wounded when their cars were hit June 25 by .22-caliber bullets while driving along Interstate 40.

Stepbrothers William Buckner, 16, and Joshua Buckner, 14, were sentenced in August to an indefinite term after pleading guilty in juvenile court to reckless homicide, endangerment and assault.

The boys told investigators they got the rifles from a locked room in their home and decided to randomly shoot at tractor-trailer rigs, just like in the video game "Grand Theft Auto III."

Responding Oct. 29 in U.S. District Court, Rockstar and Take-Two contend that such ideas and concepts as well as the "purported psychological effects" on the Buckners are protected by the First Amendment's free-speech clause.

A lawyer who represents the victims dismissed the claim, saying he would seek to move the case back into state court for consideration under Tennessee's consumer protection act.

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On the Net:

Take Two: http://www.take2games.com/

[IYAS9YAS]

Hey, I was born in 1969...we still played Smear the Queer.

[Poohbah]

"You're about to enter...the Xander Zone."

"OK, coming in hot with a side of bacon!"

[AppyPappy]

garbage in garbage out

Yup. Where did that garbage come from?

[ConservativeMan55]

Best Reply of the day!

[dead]

Wow! I'm young!

You're right though. I played "Kill the Guy with the Ball" in the seventies. "Smear the Queer" is definitely a funnier name.

[JoeSixPack1]

Being old as dirt... we called it "dodge ball" but we never used a chrysler! Honest!

[dead]

"Dodge Ball" is a different game, where you throw a ball at somebody.

Kill the Guy with the Ball or Smear the Queer is when one kid has the ball and has to run for his life. If he's caught, he gets slammed to the ground and dog-piled. Then it's some other kid's turn.

[Poohbah]

Being old as dirt... we called it "dodge ball" but we never used a chrysler! Honest!

I was supervising some kids at our church's 4th of July party, watching them play dodge ball.

I asked the pastor if there was a game called "Plymouth ball."

Ever see a guy in a Roman collar snorting Pepsi out his nose?

[lelio]

When will we get to see Grand Theft Auto: FRepublic Edition? Democrats coming at you with steel pipes, Clinton calling the shots behind the scene...

[Celtjew Libertarian]

I grew up playing Chess. It didn't me want to take over other countries.

Wait a minute.... I'm a Jewish support of Bush in Iraq... Maybe it did. 8>)

[finnman69]

anyone seen this version of GTA yet?

[JoeSixPack1]

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!! COOL! Then you get to play snortball!! :-)

[LouD]

GTA is a pointlessly violent game, with absolutely no redeeming value. Random shooting, soliciting prostitutes, vandalism, and theft are not values that ought to be inculcated, and I fail to see the entertainment in experiencing them vicariously through a game.

Now, if you want a good video game, try Civilization III. My son plays it with me, and I use it as an opportunity to teach him about history. Plus, conquering the world is FUN!

[LanPB01]

Several different magazines and online videogame sources have said "San Andreas" is rumored to be the title of the next game.

[JoeSixPack1]

...one kid has the ball and has to run for his life. If he's caught, he gets slammed to the ground and dog-piled.

Ah memories of wholesome knee shredding, elbo popping, blackeye the next day, fun!! :-)

[Callahan]

I just got the GTA double-pack for Xbox and I have to say after a long hard day of work plus night school, it's alot of fun. I have to wait til the woman goes to sleep to play , but then, she can't stand video games of any type. What can I say, it's my only vice. Hard not to think about flying around corners on a superbike and carjacking Lamborginis when you're stuck in traffic the next morning.

[discostu]

GTA has the most accurate car movement engines out there, you can ignore the plot and just have a great time driving.

I played a game and a half of Civ3, boooooring. To each his own.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Well it's a good thing I play counter-strike I guess...nothing like laying the hurt on a bunch of terrorists.

[LanPB01]

I bought a used PS2 just so I could play Vice City. I sold it as soon as I found out an XBox version was on the way.

[Old Professer]

Show some respect, young'un - I discovered Dirt.