Grand Theft Auto, Promoting Bad Behavior? Options

[Paradox of Life]

Grand Theft Auto may be encouraging people to murder people, jack cars, consider policemen as bad guys, create gangs, graffiti, use weapons, use bad language etc. Although the game is rated M it may still be promoting bad behavior from people 17 and older or their younger siblings. Nothing can prevent younger children from watching their older siblings play or even play for themselves. Should there be stricter rules? Every person I know that has the game Grand Theft Auto is under 17. I know people the ages 9, 10 11, 12, 15, 16, and possibly more who have played Grand Theft Auto. Should it be banned from stores? The games feature the several cusswords (including Sh** and Fu**), multiple weapons (slitting civilians throats with daggers, guns), running from cops, stealing cars. Sure it's fun, but is it really worth it if people start turning into "bad guys"?

[fameONE]

The difference between gangsta rap in the traditional sense and gangsta rap now is that before (see: ICE T and MC Eight), it was a tool to inform those of what really goes on. Now, its just an excuse to degrade women while celebrating acts of senseless violence and material things.

In contrast to videogames, the primary function of the game itself is entertainment and that has yet to change. Unlike in the days of Mario and Sonic, the entertainment is evolving into more advanced forms meant to target age groups from toddlers to 'grow folk.'

Rating are in place for a reason. GTA doesn't promote any more bad behavior than The Matrix does with a kid thinking he can run into a building weilding dual Tec9s and murdering every form of life in plain sight.

GTA warrants artistic merit. Don't believe me? Listen to a radio station. Pure genius.

The unfortunate thing about this is that the developers at Rockstar North are not making up what goes on in the game. Our society is being satirized to sadistic extremes in the game. Hookers have been killed in reality, as well as drug lords and crooked cops. Even in the hilarity of in-game radio commercials and pedestrian dialogue, the satire oozes through your speakers.

There's always more to the surface than meets the eye. Instead of griping about how GTA is demoralizing our society, try playing and beating the game. Then find a surgeon to take the foot out of your mouth.