Detroit Prosecutor Issues (outdated) List of 10 Violent Games to Avoid For the Holidays
Detroit Prosecutor Issues (outdated) List of 10 Violent Games to Avoid For the Holidays
December 4, 2007
Detroit is the second most dangerous city in America, according to 2006 crime statistics.Top Prosecutor Kym Worthy (left) thinks violent video games may play a role. As reported by the Detroit News, Worthy has issued her 3rd annual list of the Top 10 Most Violent Games. Of the titles, she said:
It's no wonder we're seeing the crimes we're seeing lately... Please do not buy these video games and bring them into your home. It desensitizes [children] to violent acts.
From the Detroit News article:
Grand Theft Auto topped a list of the top 10 most violent video games... The video game "absolutely glorifies" carjacking, Worthy said, and encourages shooting, running over pedestrians and other violent acts.
Other video games on the list make a sport out of buying and selling drugs, show children witnessing the murder of their father and Rapper 50 Cent being involved in the drug underworld.
It won't be especially difficult for parents to avoid purchasing the games on Worthy's Top 10 List, since most of them are at least a year old; some are several years old:
1. Grand Theft Auto (last released on consoles 2004; PSP, 2006)
2. Manhunt (2004, we assume they mean 2007's Manhunt 2)
3. Scarface (2006)
4. 50 Cent Bulletproof (2005)
5. 300 (Feb, 2007)
6. The Godfather (PS3 - March, 2007; other versions, 2006)
7. Killer-7 (2005)
8. Resident Evil 4 (Wii, PC 2007; other versions 2005)
9. God of War (2005; we assume they mean 2007's GoW2)
10. Hitman Blood Money (2006)
GP: We understand that politicians are going to compile lists of this sort around the holiday shopping season. Is it too much to ask that they do their homework, figure out which games are actually in demand right now and offer parents guidance that is more relevant?
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Posted 01/05/09 at 10:09pm
Neeneko: Heh. Trying to simplify the israely/palistinaint conflict into shout boxes.....
Neeneko: Heh. Trying to simplify the israely/palistinaint conflict into shout boxes.....
Posted 01/05/09 at 10:02pm
Derovius: How is Hamas a rebel faction? Its their government. The Israeli's laided claim to land thats not theirs, and shooting ensued. If Mexico marched its army across the border into the US, said "Nice land, I'll take it", how fast would the US start shooting?
Derovius: How is Hamas a rebel faction? Its their government. The Israeli's laided claim to land thats not theirs, and shooting ensued. If Mexico marched its army across the border into the US, said "Nice land, I'll take it", how fast would the US start shooting?
Posted 01/05/09 at 09:51pm
Austin_Lewis: Israel has been 'taking it' for 20 years, at least a rocket or mortar everyday.
Austin_Lewis: Israel has been 'taking it' for 20 years, at least a rocket or mortar everyday.
Posted 01/05/09 at 09:18pm
Comments
you talking about politicians. so yes. yes it is too much to ask them to do their homework
True true. But they aren't exactly on the top of many wish list.
Don't forget, Mario uses mushrooms.
@mgroves
A yearly list should contain games that are in demand that year, not a few years back. Plus, the list itself smacks of someone picking the highest profile violent games and sprinkling in some lesser known ones just to appear well informed.
Where is Postal 2 ?
It's old, i agree, but, if you want to become a crazyWTFBBQpsycho, you have to play this one, or this excuse is outpassed maybe now ?
Still, i would expect at least SOME recent games (or at least get the sequels right).
I don't think RE4 is that bad of a game, it's one of my favorites of all time. And shouldn't these games not be in the hands of minors anyways? Any parent with half a brain cell should know that M = Bad
Not to mention, just looking at the cover, they should think "Hm...a picture of someone's head in a vice...this is soooo apropriate for my 7-year-old"
You'd think that after the crap that happens in Detroit and the surrounding areas they'd have more important things to worry about.
and once again...to Ms Prosecutor...
Detroit's million(give or take) carjackings are not the games fault...
Come on kids sing-a-long.
This stuff is pretty outta date, isnt it? Most people who are gonna get GoW or RE4 already have it, so this list is kinda pointless on a number of angles.
"We understand that politicians are going to compile lists of this sort around the holiday shopping season. Is it too much to ask that they do their homework, figure out which games are actually in demand right now and offer parents guidance that is more relevant? "
Yes.
"It’s no wonder we’re seeing the crimes we’re seeing lately… Please do not buy these video games and bring them into your home. It desensitizes [children] to violent acts."
The crime's being seen "lately," by and large the same crimes that have been seen for decades, are not caused by games but some games are, however, caused by a culture that already glorifies those crimes. When you see people stealing cars and hear about people stealing cars and talk about people stealing cars then it isn't GTA III that "desensitizes" you to car theft.
It's like someone saying, "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" and some else answering, "omelette's!"
BTW, is 300 that bad? I've just seen some videos and read some reviews, but it didn't really strike me as a horrible game that will make people cut down their neighbor.
Seriously? Are there any politicians out there that actually cite their sources?
Grand Theft Auto "glorifies" carjacking? That's like saying Mario glorifies jumping, or Sonic glorifies speed. It's just a means to an end. Game mechanics are there so that you can complete some overall task.
Bulletproof was just a sorry excuse for a game...just like 50 Cent's rap is a sorry excuse for music (sorry, couldn't resist).
And they bring up the video games/aggression < smoking/cancer statistic debate again. Christ...it's illogical people like this that continue to further my misanthropy.
To quote the great one: "Good grief."
Oh, wait, those are MOVIES. Non-interactive. Yeah. After all, it's not people don't become emotional, aggressive, or even violent when they merely hear or see events that they didn't take active parts in to begin with. (Google: "riot" "detroit" "violence", etc.)
And, yeah, video games glorify drug dealing more than anything. Gee, it's not like the rolls of money long time dealers pull out don't make the act look lucrative.
It's not like seeing dealers surrounded by "popular" people in the community doesn't look lucrative.
It's not like the confidence pouring off the public persona of the dealer doesn't make them look lucrative.
It's not like the expensive materials (jewelry, cars, even weapons) don't look lucrative.
It's not like the fear so many in the community have of the dealers doesn't seem lucrative.
It's not like segments of the community don't actually GET BEHIND the dealers when, after having bitched that the police DON'T do anything about the dealers, the community turns around and bitches that the police HARASS and violate the Civil Rights of various dealers. Sure, that doesn't seem like a lucrative business venture.
Video games to blame? More like you're too bloody lazy to do a REAL job of cleaning up your city.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
(*Note: I said most!*)
A future full of sanitized childhoods and 'clean living' where things that are unpleasant are simply not talked about in the hope that they will go away.
I for one, welcome our new ant overlords.
1. GTA. Well, I want it, (any one) but my mom would kill me. Hey, my parents are parenting! What a thought!
2. Manhunt (1 or 2) I don't have a playstation, and even if I did, I wouldn't want that game. I have better ways to waste my time.
3. Scarface. I'd rather see the movie. Which I'm not allowed to see. Curse you, parental units!
4. 50 cent: bulletproof. I hate rap. Why would I by a game about a rapper?
5. 300. I liked the movie, but as everyone knows, 99% of licesend games are crap.
6. The godfather. I'd rather read the book. Or see the movie. or go play a good GTA knockoff.
7. Killer-7. What? I've never heard of that game.
8. RE4. Ok, this one I might want. I actually played the Demo at comic-con '04, and it was cool. I'd run into troube with my parents, though. They have me at every turn!
9. GOW: Yet again, I don't own one of Sony's devil machines. Bill Gates (and miyamoto, with a minority stake) own my soul.
10. Hitman. Not a bad game, but not one I'm particularly intrested in.
Hey, lady! why not stop blaming games I don't even give a crap about and go do our job? Just a thought.
P.S. Congrats, EZK. I've read a lot of your posts, and I know you'll probobly do O.K.
I also find something extremely ironic about the *MOVIE* game 300 is on that list. I find it dead hilarious that 50 Cent's garbage game is there too... After all, mainstream hip hop (Y'know the stuff which destroyed the whole genre...) is something our children should all enjoy.
...And it's been two years already since his terrible game came out? Wow, time flies!
I guess I should stay away from these outdated titles, even though I'm 17. Because age requirements doesn't matter to them. Who cares if I'm old enough? I'll just stay the hell away...
/Sarcasm
Where is her list of the top ten music CDs to avoid?
Me thinks those lists wouldn't garner as much attention as a gaming list. I assume Kym Worthy thinks this as well.
Honestly the XBox (or any game system or video game) itself has nothing to do with this. If Cheese-its were more 'street' in the eyes of the gang members, they'd call themselves that and use big orenge triangles for their tags.
Incidentally, the only reason Baltimore hasn't had a higher murder rate then Detroit for the past 30 years is because it has substantially better hospitals.
Also, I doubt she, or any of her advisers, have even played any of the games on the list. Therefore, how the hell does she know how violent each game is and what each game glorifies?
That fat bitch should stop eating so many doughnuts and start playing games so she at least knows what the fuck she is talking about before bashing games.
While we're at it let's go ahead and add a view other games. Mortal Kombat 2 for the Sega Genesis for showing blood and having fatalities. Aquaman for the Nintendo Gamecube just because, like the most of the games on her list, it sucks. And Deathtrap Dungeon for the Sony Playstation for its violence. Yeah, that’s perfectly outdated.
@ jds
Because then she'd have to admit that kids can watch movies and listen to music far easier than they can play games. Then she'd have to admit that those mediums could just as easily "desensitize you to violence". Then she'd have to work.
Seriously? Better watch you to see if you'll go on a killing spree. How's Killer-7?
@Acebuckeye13
sony dosent have devil machienes just buy a playstation and you will see what you are missing out on
fanboys suck
Tell Sony to get off their ass and put out some good games. There getting there, but there still isn't a reason to buy the console.
If you want to see how messed up Detroit is, look at the Pacers/Pistons brawl or their fans' reaction after the 2004 NBA Finals to name a short few.
tell microsoft to stop recycling material and puting out crappy games and Ill play their system more but for now im gonna stick to my PS3 and my Wii (get your head out of mycrosofts ass and your own)
fanboys suck
For the record, I think Killer7 is the most influential violent game on the list, because it's the only one that actively encourages you to change personalities in order to kill efficiently - that sounds like a recipe for serial killer psychosis, doesn't it? I'm pretty sure it's also still available in stores on the used game racks; I saw a few copies going for $15 at my local Zellers. It's actually one of the most artistic games I've ever played, so mature gamers with a good grasp of how their parental controls work should pick it up for the experience.
Don't try to infuse logic in this. Just because your point makes sense...
Yeah, so violent video games have caused Detroit's high crime rate. Nothing else. At all. Ever. Don't buy your kids Night Trap!
Because it's GTA, and because she can't be bothered to PLAY the game to see what context the content in question is in.
Haven't bothered to see the new stuff have you?
AHAHAHAHA! Tom wins =) That is such a perfect comparison.
stupid troll
fanboys suck
I find that post ironic for a number of reasons.
These people must not be huge sci-fi fans.
And LMAO at Detroit authorities talking about how the city just recently got bad. If I recall the mayor isn't doing a good job in reforming, and as a result the upper middle class is moving out of Detroit and leaving it to the poorer and less fortunate.
Detroit should be the last city to play the blame game on their crimes.
all hail E.T.
Yeah, I mean, in Tetris you're really killing those lines, after all. That sort of violent imagery is uncalled for.
"stupid troll
fanboys suck"
I find that very ironic.
BTW I highly doubt they relize that they mean
1) GTA: There is a subtitle here
2) Manhunt Censored
ext. ext.
Damn you, Pong. Damn you to hell.
What fucking dumbasses. That game was all pixelated and stuff. Also, the list just seems to be focusing on the most controversial games rather then the most violent. Postal isn't even on there.
It always annoys me when some know-nothing "expert" says this. No study has yet to find a link between violence and video games and yet they alone think they have the answer.
And if being desensitized causes you to go on a killing spree, why aren't there more murderous doctors? Who is more desensitized to blood and gore than they?
On a related note, this prosecuter and various senators and congressmen need to get a message out to the parents:
"Parents, please! Don't buy your children cigarettes, pornography, and alcohol for Christmas. Despite pretty colors or friendly looking women on the covers, they are not for children! We are attempting to remove such things from store shelves. Also, illegal drugs are not a good idea either, mmkay?"
Mario glorifies drug use. Donkey Kong is addicted to "bananas".
I remember one that put both Halo:CE and Halo 2 on there...a year before Halo 2 came out.
Not the list I was thinking of, out of curiosity I did some quick googling and found it:
http://www.iccr.org/news/press_releases/2004/pr_videogames112304.htm
"Gunslinger Girls 2", was the game they listed that made no sense.
Yeah, the one I'm talking about was published in Game Informer.
The whole thing makes no sense.
On the "bright side" Dow has announced they're cutting 1,000 jobs, granted not all of them are going to be in Michigan, but still from looking at the Midland Daily News, that's going to probably be around 100 less jobs in the area if not more. But hey, Google is bringing 1,000 new jobs to Michigan.. Right? Right? After we've lost 2,000 or more by that time.
And let's not forget our enormous debt which lead us to the edge of a state government shutdown (but that was because a budget couldn't be agreed upon). Low income, living in a trash heap of a house, no, that couldn't possibly cause violence either, even if they're too poor to afford video games; they get it from others, like some twisted contact high.
With this list in mind I hope you will pick up the following title for yourself:
-Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Detroit needs better prosecutors and with this courtroom simulator in hand that shows you how to conduct yourself in a professional manner it will be just a matter of time before you become the prosecutor Detroit needs to clean up its streets.
So please, put down Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law and start playing a real game for real lawyers.
[/sarcasm]
Actually, 300: March to Glory was a PSP exclusive.
Wow, Shadow Heart is in that list? Come on!
I have a vivid recollection of reading this last month (and being none too surprised).
cities with the most video games per capita. top of the list? must be detroit!
nope. it's salt lake.
damn all those violent lds folks!
tho, detroit does make a showing on the list down in the middle between the body bad filling cities of charleston and columbus.
what about the most violent city in america? st. louis? not even on the list.
so, exactly how does that reconcile with anything kim worthy has to say?
m3mnoch.
A deaf mute with a normal name,
Tom
where is Resistance. COD4, F.E.A.R., ect.
When I said "Sony's devil machine" I was only making a little joke, kind of referencing ho many sony/apple people think Bill Gates is "the devil" I wasn't trying to start a flame war, and I don't consider myself a fanboy. Simply put, I have an Xbox 360, and have recently aquired a Wii. I think that there are several games on the PS3 that look excellent, like heavenly sword, Resistance, and Moterstorm. However, several of your comments reflect several errors on your part:
"tell microsoft to stop recycling material and puting out crappy games and Ill play their system more but for now im gonna stick to my PS3 and my Wii (get your head out of mycrosofts ass and your own)
fanboys suck "
1.The xbox might have some games that are the same tired things we've been playing since Goldeneye (A game I remember fondly. Hey, that has violence! How come that didn't make the list!) but what console dosn't?
2. "putting out crappy games"? WTF? Where have you been the past year? Dead Rising(Chop till you drop!), Gears of War, Mass Effect (Which I NEED) Bioshock (One of the best games EVER, and don't you DARE say it isn't!) and, of course, Halo 3 (You may say it's the same game as the last two, but compare it to a turkey sandwich with turkey(Story), cheese(Features), and mayo(Multiplayer). Each is an intergral part of the sandwich. Halo CE had all three, but was lacking in cheese. Halo 2 added cheese and mayo but took out some turkey. Halo 3 added a s---load of cheese, eve more mayo, and put some of the turkey back, albiet in strange, contorted shapes. It's essentialy the same sandwich, but it's revamped with even more ingrediants each time. In any case, I liked it.)
3." Fanboys suck"? that's an oxymoron.
Please stop your crusade against microsoft and go on to play games, regardless of console. The GP comments section is the last place to wage a flame war. If we could direct this energy to those idiots like JT instead of each other, we could knock some sense into them. Or cause them to have a cerabral hemmorhage (yes, I know I speeled that wrong) when they see your grammer.
ALL IDIOTIC ARGUMENTS WELCOME
Kym "Un"Worthy