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?
Comments
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.