Prostitutes call for a ban on GTA oO

[Kazuya Mishima]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6144286.html

Sex workers cry foul, say game "accrues points to players for the depiction of rape and murder of prostitutes."

The Grand Theft Auto franchise is getting attacked from all angles. Joining the ranks of politicians, policemen, and attorneys in their crusade to see the game lifted from shelves are the nation's sex workers. On its Web site, the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA is asking parents to assist them in calling for a ban of Take-Two Interactive's controversial game.

Citing a 2001 document from the National Institute on Media and the Family's David Walsh, SWOP is calling "on all parents and all gamers to boycott Grand Theft Auto."

The organization quotes various points from Walsh's paper, including, "Children are more likely to imitate a character with whom they identify with. In violent video games the player is often required to take the point of view of the shooter or perpetrator."

Though the organization admits to being "adamantly opposed to any and all forms of censorship," as concerned parents themselves, they "wish to inform other parents of the potential danger extremely violent video games pose to children." Likewise, in the interest of promoting the rights of sex workers, the organization is opposed to the depiction of the rape and murder of prostitutes.

In the games, players can solicit "services" from prostitutes by driving their cars slowly near them. No sexual acts are in clear visible view, but during the "transaction," the player regains health and loses money. Though the player cannot actively rape prostitutes in the game, a possible rape is alluded to once during the storyline of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The prostitutes, like every other character, are also subject to homicide at the hands of the protagonist.

According to its Web site, SWOP USA is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of sex-industry workers and to the promotion of a safe working environment for the industry.

Damn, did you notice the amount of times the word CHILDREN is used? Can they even read? I'm pretty sure they have seen the dvd case of the game. Can't they read the Adults only rating?

[Ryos]

The SWOP should be more concerned that they raised these concerns with respect to children than GTA. After all, if it's imitation from kids they're talking about, what are the children doing with prostitutes anyway? O_o

[Cid Highwind]

Maybe they should team up with taxi drivers, cops, firefighters, medics, crappy rappers, rednecks, homies in general, coffee companies and all other kinds of people involved in GTA SA... why don't we just all join them?

What a bunch of BS again, their kids should be glad they can't see what their mommy's are actually doing for a job

[Vanit]

Maybe they should just take people out altogether from the game, seeing as I can just run over anyone I please and take their glowing money!

Sheesh!

[refraction]

prostitutes will never get this, their line of work is illegal as it is. think of it as a "smoking kills" kind of message, but aimed at them :P

[Vanit]

Maybe drug dealers will start complaining next as they might claim to be misrepresented in the game.

But its not that hard to see the concerns that prostitutes might have with the game. One would assume that only, and I'm a little wary with saying this, trashy-lower class-doll bludgery type people get prostitutes frequently (I think? I really am out on a ledge here). My point being those people are more likely to be violent towards others and the last thing a prostitute really needs is something that encourages people to hurt them.

Its a strange perspective but you can't deny its there. Additionally I think if there was any game that condoned beating up people in a certain line of work that those in that line of work would also be protesting against that game.

[Celine]

Next we'll get complaints from terrorists and aliens

[industrian]

This has "The Onion fodder" written all over it.

The irony is, this is the same kind of compensation culture that GTA3 mocked.

[Exodus]

Originally Posted by Ryos

what are the children doing with prostitutes anyway? O_o

*sniff* they grow up so fast *sniff*...

[Coolsvilleman]

um isnt prostitution illegal anyway?

[hooloovoo]

I don't remember raping any prostitutes on MY way through San Andreas. Maybe I played it wrong...

I can kill ANYONE in the game. Next thing you know we'll have a lawsuit from Elvis impersonators on our hands.

Though the player cannot actively rape prostitutes in the game, a possible rape is alluded to once during the storyline of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

I don't remember that bit .... where was it?

[industrian]

Originally Posted by hooloovoo

I can kill ANYONE in the game. Next thing you know we'll have a lawsuit from Elvis impersonators on our hands.

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!!



Or from Taxi Drivers that were incensed by the classic "Taxi Drivers Must Die."

GTA2, sweet memories.

[Celine]

Originally Posted by Exodus

*sniff* they grow up so fast *sniff*...

Who says multiplayer gaming isn't educational? "This is how you load a gun... and this is how you teabag the hooker."

[Exodus]

Originally Posted by Celine

Who says multiplayer gaming isn't educational? "This is how you load a gun... and this is how you teabag the hooker."

They're all very important life lessons. Why, I grew up with Mortal Kombat! I can share a wealth of knowledge on interesting ways to kill people.

[Cid Highwind]

Originally Posted by Exodus

They're all very important life lessons. Why, I grew up with Mortal Kombat! I can share a wealth of knowledge on interesting ways to kill people.

Or how to make friendship

[FrostyTheSnowman]

This is just rediculous. I think we will be facing this kind of crap from all the fat PTA moms, politicians, cops, and even whiney prostitutes as long as "Mature" games exist. I give props to Take-Two for continuing to release the GTA series.

[D.D.]

wow. this made me speechless.

by the way what does "teabag" mean (shoot/kill/rob/r@pe) ?

[FrostyTheSnowman]

"teabag" is when you basically bounce your balls on someones face. As far as I know anyway...

[Celine]

Been playing multiplayer Halo eh Frosty?

[Nevermore]

Originally Posted by Kazuya Mishima

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6144286.html



Damn, did you notice the amount of times the word CHILDREN is used? Can they even read? I'm pretty sure they have seen the dvd case of the game. Can't they read the Adults only rating?

less talk, more sex.