jimmifli
October 28th, 2006, 4:15:30 PM
http://images.ctv.ca/archives/CTVNews/img2/20061023/450_ap_bully_061023.jpg
A controversial video game called "Bully" has hit stores in Canada, much to the dismay of groups that have been protesting the premise as soon as it was announced last year.
Critics of the game, which features a 15-year-old wannabe tough guy, say it trains the next generation of violent bullies.
Florida lawyer Jack Thompson, one of the most vocal opponent of violent games, has not yet played "Bully" but contends it could lead to student violence.
Thompson asked a Florida judge to declare the game a public nuisance and ban its sale.
"The premise of Bully is that it is sometimes acceptable to deal with bullying by becoming the ultimate bully," Thompson wrote in his complaint. "This was the dynamic at Columbine. It has been the dynamic in other tragic instances of school violence."
But the judge rejected his attempts to ban the videogame.
After he watched someone play it, Florida Judge Ronald Friedman concluded: "There's a lot of violence. A whole lot. (But) less than we see on television every night."
The PlayStation 2 game, which is expected to be one of the holiday season's biggest sells, is rated T for teenagers aged 13 and older.
It follows a year in the life of Jimmy Hopkins, who gets dropped off at New England prep school Bullworth Academy as his mother leaves for her fifth honeymoon.
Predictably, he is soon forced to defend himself against school bullies as he navigates a complex social hierarchy dominated by cliques of greasers, jocks, nerds and preps.
Game creator Rockstar, which developed "Bully" at its Vancouver studio, has defended its creation.
"Some people like our games; some don't," company spokesman Rodney Walker told The Associated Press.
"We can't try to beat these arguments. Our whole process we believe with 'Bully' is we have to let the game speak for itself. We just want them to know that this is just entertainment."
Rockstar Games, the bad boy of the gaming industry, is also behind the oft-criticized "Grand Theft Auto" series, which feature murder, drug dealing and prostitution.
In "Bully," Hopkins uses classic moves such as giving wedgies, and the most powerful weapons such as slingshots and baseball bats.
Point-scoring activities include beating up and embarrassing other students, setting off fire alarms and assaulting teachers.
But bad behaviour also has its consequences.
If Hopkins stays out past curfew, the screen blurs as he becomes drowsy and eventually falls asleep. If he plays truant, he is surrounded by a swarm of adults voicing their disapproval.
There is even some incentive for attending the twice-daily classes - he gets the improved ability to flirt with girls.
more....
A controversial video game called "Bully" has hit stores in Canada, much to the dismay of groups that have been protesting the premise as soon as it was announced last year.
Critics of the game, which features a 15-year-old wannabe tough guy, say it trains the next generation of violent bullies.
Florida lawyer Jack Thompson, one of the most vocal opponent of violent games, has not yet played "Bully" but contends it could lead to student violence.
Thompson asked a Florida judge to declare the game a public nuisance and ban its sale.
"The premise of Bully is that it is sometimes acceptable to deal with bullying by becoming the ultimate bully," Thompson wrote in his complaint. "This was the dynamic at Columbine. It has been the dynamic in other tragic instances of school violence."
But the judge rejected his attempts to ban the videogame.
After he watched someone play it, Florida Judge Ronald Friedman concluded: "There's a lot of violence. A whole lot. (But) less than we see on television every night."
The PlayStation 2 game, which is expected to be one of the holiday season's biggest sells, is rated T for teenagers aged 13 and older.
It follows a year in the life of Jimmy Hopkins, who gets dropped off at New England prep school Bullworth Academy as his mother leaves for her fifth honeymoon.
Predictably, he is soon forced to defend himself against school bullies as he navigates a complex social hierarchy dominated by cliques of greasers, jocks, nerds and preps.
Game creator Rockstar, which developed "Bully" at its Vancouver studio, has defended its creation.
"Some people like our games; some don't," company spokesman Rodney Walker told The Associated Press.
"We can't try to beat these arguments. Our whole process we believe with 'Bully' is we have to let the game speak for itself. We just want them to know that this is just entertainment."
Rockstar Games, the bad boy of the gaming industry, is also behind the oft-criticized "Grand Theft Auto" series, which feature murder, drug dealing and prostitution.
In "Bully," Hopkins uses classic moves such as giving wedgies, and the most powerful weapons such as slingshots and baseball bats.
Point-scoring activities include beating up and embarrassing other students, setting off fire alarms and assaulting teachers.
But bad behaviour also has its consequences.
If Hopkins stays out past curfew, the screen blurs as he becomes drowsy and eventually falls asleep. If he plays truant, he is surrounded by a swarm of adults voicing their disapproval.
There is even some incentive for attending the twice-daily classes - he gets the improved ability to flirt with girls.
more....