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Video games are being unfairly targeted.
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Posted by: Daniel
By now most of you should have heard of the sad case of 14 year old Stefan Pakeerah, who was stabbed to death by his friend, 17 year old friend Warren Leblanc. May poor Stefan Pakeerah rest in peace, and Warren Leblanc get what's coming to him.
This post is not about that case directly however, but rather it's supposed cause - video games. It has been claimed that this death was as a direct result of the game 'Manhunt' by Rockstar Games (creators of the fantastic 'Grand Theft Auto' series, another game that has been in the spotlight), because it "caused violence".
I'm sorry, but this is pathetic.
For a start, the game was rated 18 by the BBFC. No one under this age should have been playing in the first place. It's marketing is clearly aimed towards over 18 year olds, with the 18 badge clearly shown on all adverts and copies of the game. It's also illegal for shops to sell it to anyone under the age of 18. So how did this teenager get hold of this game?
More so than this, there is no evidence to prove that video games can in anyway cause violence. If anything, I would suggest they have the opposite effect: On many occasions I've been upset or annoyed at something, and have played video games to help calm me down. They were a good way for me to vent my frustration, and often allow for escapism (which can be a good thing).
Now I'm happy to admit that this video game could have given this teenager some inspiration in the way in which he killed his friend. Much in the same way as I was recently inspired by the film 'I, Robot' to start reading some of Isaac Asimov's robot stories (remember, films have been blamed for the same thing in the past, nothing came of it). And how the soon to be released game World of WarCraft is inspiring me to create comics set within the WarCraft universe. (surely both positive/creative things?) But the idea of killing must have been in his head to start with, otherwise why would he be looking for inspiration?
The problem here is not with video games. The problem is with a very sick teenager who obviously needs some help. You can't blame video games for this boys actions - you need to blame the boy himself, and the parents of the boy.
Who gave him a copy of the game? The parents no doubt. Who obviously did not condition him to living in the modern world, and teach him the difference between right and wrong? The parents! Who obviously have not been paying enough attention to him, for him to have to use an act such as killing another person, as a cry for help? The parents!
I do truly feel sorry for Mr & Mrs Pakeerah, and can totally understand that they should try and seek justice. But for them to try and place the blame on the game, and the games creators is wrong. They need to look at Warren Leblanc and his parents to answer for his actions. Not an innocent video game.
http://theworldofdan.co.uk/blogger/
Posted by: Bishop
such slander will not be tolerated while we're on watch.
besides, it's not as if the parents could have possibly prevented their demon child from rampaging through the streets...
or could they have? the world... will never know.
Posted by: C-Money
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Originally Posted by Daniel
I'm sorry, but this is pathetic.
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I concur.
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Originally Posted by Daniel
For a start, the game was rated 18 by the BBFC. No one under this age should have been playing in the first place. It's marketing is clearly aimed towards over 18 year olds, with the 18 badge clearly shown on all adverts and copies of the game. It's also illegal for shops to sell it to anyone under the age of 18. So how did this teenager get hold of this game?
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I played M rated games since I was 12. I can keep my anger controlled. I weight lift to work out my frustration from school/work. Or in football, I unleash it on unlucky bastard that happens to be across the line of scrimmage. 
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