A game module in GTA IV allows players to drive when 'drunk'
Rockstar Games' controversial Grand Theft Auto IV has come under fire again, this time from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (Madd).
The protest group said in a statement that it is "extremely disappointed" by the inclusion of a game module in GTA IV in which players can drive when drunk.
"Drunk driving is not a game and it is not a joke. Drunk driving is a choice, a violent crime and 100 per cent preventable," said Madd.
The organisation has called on the US Entertainment Software Ratings Board to bump up GTA IV's rating from 'Mature' to 'Adults Only' and for the manufacturer to consider a stop in distribution.
GTA publisher Take-Two Interactive has not officially responded to Madd's call to have the rating changed.
However, it is unlikely that Take-Two will acquiesce as 'Adults Only' games are not carried by most major retailers in the US. This can have a major negative impact on sales.
Some observers have pointed that the drunk driving sequences in GTA IV may even help Madd's campaign.
Controlling the vehicle becomes very difficult and gets the player noticed by the police quickly, thereby highlighting the dangers of, rather than glorifying, drunk driving.
Nearly 13,500 people die, and a further 500,000 are injured, in alcohol-related traffic crashes in the US each year, according to Madd.
© Incisive Media Investments Limited 2010, Published by Incisive Financial Publishing Limited, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, are companies registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 04252091 & 04252093
Do you agree?
Drunk driving
i can't believe that people are complaining about a game, why games. what about books & movies about driving while intoxicated. what about those im really tired of hearing things like this. a video game should not be compared to what happens in real life situations there are more horrible things that happen in life and games do not cause things of that nature.
Posted by Lex, 03 May 2008
Grow up!!!
It is only a game. you don't need to buy it if you don't want to. what you are going to do is ruin everybody's chance to buy the game when you should worry about your household. If I wanna buy the game I will do so. I am sick and tired of "madd" sticking there nose where it dont belong. it makes me madd. just do us all a favor and leave everybody alone
Posted by Barry L. Allen Jr, 02 May 2008
Drunk Driving...
So they are very against the Drunk Driving, but the killing everyone at will and shooting cops is just "part of the game"?
don't be bias just cuz this affects ur particular group of intrest, i admire all the mothers in MADD and think it to be a VERY noble cause, however if you toojk this out then more groups could argue to take other parts of the game out until it becomes a hollow shell of a videogame.
This game is fake and drunk driving in real life is far different than in a videogame. Please understand that the parents of minors should not allow their kids to play these types of games in the first place, and any 17 year old with ahlf a brain knows that what you can do in videogames DOES NOT paralell real-life in anyway.
Sidenote: When you leave a bar after drinking, and you go to ur car, it says on the screen "If you are drunk it would be a better idea to take a cab home"
Posted by Andrew Battaglini, 02 May 2008
!!!GET REAL!!!
ITS ONLY A GAMES THAY MAKE MORE EVER DAY AS SOON AS A NEW G AMES IUS OUT EVERONE GO BUY THAT ONE AND FORGET ABOUT THIS ONE
Posted by ROBERT HATCHMAN, 08 May 2008
Saw this one coming
You know the second I saw this in the game I knew MADD would say something. And I bet not one of them have actually played the game and don't know the outcome of what happens when you drive drunk in the game.
As this article states you get arrested for driving drunk in the game and are more likely to get run over or get any NPC friends with you, hurt as well and can actually cause a regression in game progress(So there are consequences to trying to drive drunk in the game). I notice that when I or anyone else is playing we actually opt for a cab to avoid trouble that you can't really get out of by simply hopping in the car and speeding away. I say to MADD, next time play the game before villifying it. This could actually be the time to THANK a game developer for showing one of the many dangers of driving drunk.
Posted by Gameinatrix, 27 May 2008