Posted on 02/18/2006 12:53:57 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis public officials are speaking out against a video game they say promotes violence against law enforcement.
The game "25 To Life" features graphic scenes of shooting at police officers and taking civilians as human shields. Despite a push to keep the game off store shelves, it is readily available at area retailers after it was released last month, 6News' Tanya Spencer reported.
Indianapolis police want parents to be aware of the game and to know the game is not appropriate for children.
Indianapolis officials pioneered efforts to fight violent video games by restricting access to them six years ago.
"We had the first law in the country to restrict access to violent video games," said Deputy Mayor Steve Campbell. "When you see games out there like this, it just makes you sick to your stomach. There are pools of blood and people pointing shotguns everywhere. It's just ridiculous. It's a slap in the face to police officers."
Players can kill officers, choose gang colors and create personalized graffiti tags in "25 to Life." Characters swear profusely in both English and Spanish.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has started an online petition to get the game pulled. They claim to have more than 100,000 signatures.
The game's maker, Eidos, Inc., says, "25 To Life" is well within the standards and boundaries set by today's contemporary media, including books, feature films, and other video games."
People who fight crime every day said that despite the "Mature" rating, the game's message is a dangerous one.
"As far as we're concerned, anytime you have situations where people are practicing or targeting police officers in any sense, it certainly is a concern because we battle that on the street on a daily basis," said Indianapolis police Sgt. Judy Phillips.
The game sells for $39.99. Some local stores told 6News it is already being traded by many gamers, but not because of the violence. Gamers don't think it's a very good game.
Instead of whining about it, ban the trash!
never heard of the game
Because, as we all know, video game violence leads to real violence. That's why 100% of violent video game players are violent in real life. And 100% of violent criminals are violent video game players. (Replace 100% with 0.001% and the sarcasm still stands.)
That way, when Mr. Cop sees them in need of assistance, they can "help" them out.
Sure the game is obvious crap but the market will take care of it apparently
Law enforcement and politicians should all just STFU and let parents and the free market do their jobs. Their bloviating about it is just going to make the situation worse, IMO. The article already mentions that gamers are trading the game because it sucks.
Just killing the video cops that American video gang-bangers won't kill.
Well you have now...
Must be a marketing guys dream... Get someplace to ban your game, then reap the profits.
Great now that there will be a media hype about it more people will want to check it out....glad to see that it is not going over that well with the gamers
I am currently watching my son play a Tiger Woods golf game....does this mean he will be take up the game soon? I am impressed with the graphics....
If a city really had that right, San Francisico and Seattle would have banned Republicans long ago.
Sorry, but kids aren't going to be normal, then play a violent video game, and then go out and kill people. Violence has been around a lot longer than video games.
I live in Indianapolis, and these "police" need to worryabout realy crimes and real problems, and stop wasting peoples' time with this nannystate nonsense...
Hmm. I think it's one for the list, obviously your call!
Anyone who makes the claim that crap like this doesn't influence skulls full of mush is in deep, deep denial.
If watching and hearing crap had no effect on people, there would be no advertising industry. The question is, do the people (representated by their elected officials) have a right to censor anything? I think you know my answer.
>If a city really had that right, San Francisico and Seattle would have banned Republicans long ago.
That scenario is not possible because the right to a republican govt. is a enumerated right to all. The there is no right to force smut upon a community who finds it disturbing and against their moral values.
It velly bad!
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