Australian government: I don't understand what John Steinbeck intended to do with "The Grapes of Wrath." His message that grapes are a violent race of fruit hellbent on destroying our Christian civilization in a reign of terror is sending the wrong message to Australian school children. The author ought to be ashamed of himself for spreading this violent fruit message, and I for one hope my 15-year-old son never reads it.

Critic: It's just the f*ng title, you twit. The book is about people.

In the immortal words of Stephen Colbert on the Obama pastor story, "Why won't that story die?"

Hooray for the spokesperson - SHUT DOWN all of those critics who haven't actually played the game

I agree, no one seems to ever play these games, but will condem them quicker than, well anything I have ever seen. Until you actually play the damn game, then I think everyone who crtizes it should shut the heck up.

"It’s scary, it’s outrageous, it’s gross. I do think the [game content] classification system needs to be reviewed. I would be very concerned if my 13-year-old son played a game like that. I think the message of solving violence with violence is extremely disturbing."

yes, because we know on the world stage everyone gets their issues solved without violence. just look at afghanistan or iraq.


lets face it. ignorance is bliss.

"I would be very concerned if my 13-year-old son played a game like that." Well, there was this idea once of... "parenting". This whole "parenting" thing was all about making sure you have a generally good idea of what your child was up to and regulating behaviors you didn't approve of. Crazy, I know, but it's just a thought.
/sarcasm
It's like they really want parents to believe that there is no reason to be responsible for anything and that the government will raise their children for them.

I agree that we don't want to promote solving violence with violence...but Bully doesn't do that.

This guy is clearly living in some fantasy land where everyone solves their differences by holding hands and singing Kumbaya.

News flash..some people won't take no for an answer and in a world where teachers won't break up a fight because they'll be sued you can be when I have kids they're gonna be able to defend themselves. If someone hits you, sure try to back out of it, but if you can't...well make sure your punch doesn't miss.

"I think the message of solving violence with violence is extremely disturbing."

Wow..Hey! if thats true then what are wars?

"We have had major efforts right across Australia in schools trying to get the message across that violence doesn’t solve anything."

You study wars in schools? We, over here like to watch stuff about WWII on The History Channel.

Bottom line: Banning a game will not decreasae bullying in schools, than having the game there. You ban it and they'll get it from somewhere else. Look at what having a watered down copy if GTAIV is doing, If you hadn't put in a rating for the demographic of ADULTS of which the majority plays and it keeps a person from getting a game that person wants, he or she will go somewhere ELSE.

It will be interesting to see how the whole GTAIV thing will go over there. :P

- Warren Lewis

The fact that the PS2 version of 'Bully' has been out for OVER A YEAR really makes me think, "At least ONE of these critics should have played the damn game by now."

"I think the message of solving violence with violence is extremely disturbing."

Curl up into a ball, hope to survive or escape without terrible injuries, then go to the relevant authority. You are not to, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, protect yourself or others unless previously and explicitly given permission by the Ministry of Love in the form of a law enforcement designation.

"I would be very concerned if my 13-year-old son played a game like that."

I would be very concerned if a parent seemed to imply they have no control of their children.

"I’m not sure about what the developers of this game don’t get."

Negative reinforcement. We have a self regulating market.

"We have had major efforts right across Australia in schools trying to get the message across that violence doesn’t solve anything."

Refer to response #1.

"For people who have been the victim of bullying, there is nothing entertaining about it."

Where are these children? If they exist, lets get some feedback from them.

"What we are concerned about is the continuing production and development of such games that glorify violence and bullying."

Which this game is not an example of, but continue...

"There’s a point where the corporate world must take some responsibility to regulate these games."

They do. They have a responsibility to shareholders and investors which they honor by producing games that the market has a demand for. They regulate the content to closely adhere to the target demographics assumed desire.

"In a world where the issues of bullying and violence are a concern, the production of these games is not acceptable."

You #$%@ing clown. Tyrants and 'bullies' only have the power we allow them to have. Once you stand up, they cannot operate in the same capacity. Fear IS their trump card.

At least this acticle has some balance to it.

Unlike most Australian news papers when it comes to Videogaming...


I have been thinking of writing an opinion letter to my own advertiser when it comes to Community attitudes and Videogaming.

But I am not sure how to start it.

Letter's to the edditor of my local paper has to be limited to 300 pages so if I take some note from some people and what is being said, then perhaps that will help me in trying to say something that is based on wisdom and not something based on ignorance

It’s scary, it’s outrageous, it’s gross. I do think the [game content] classification system needs to be reviewed. I would be very concerned if my 13-year-old son played a game like that. I think the message of solving violence with violence is extremely disturbing."

Yeah, it does need to be reviewed, reviewed and given the 18+ rating that the Australian rating that gamers over there deserve.

"I think the message of solving violence with violence is extremely disturbing."

Wholey shit, someone actually played the game, or took two minutes to learn that the main character isn't a Bully.

But in other words, standing up for yourself is wrong. Be a doormat, Johnny.

I blame Jack Thompson.

Yes, as an Australian this is very frustating to hear this scare-mongering from heads of corporations who obviously have spent no time playing the actual game. Typical.

Also, can Game Politics.com take it upon themselves to spell 'Sydney Morning Herald' correctly?

"I think the message of solving violence with violence is extremely disturbing."

A LOT of Americans weould like to speak with you Aussies. Hell, solving violence with violence is PRETECED BY LAWS.

I can't imagine a world w/o self defense.

Or foresight.

Heh, I was bullied to shit at school, mostly because I didn't think violence was the answer and wouldn't stand up for myself.

Epic, epic failure on my part.

If ever I have kids (god forbid) I'd tell them that a quickly popping a bully in the mouth and then getting sent home for the rest of the day is the easiest, most reliable way to prevent further bullying. FACT.

Just saw this on Slashdot..

"The Australian government is pushing a bill to force all telecommunications providers to facilitate lawful data interception across fixed and mobile telephone systems, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Instant Messaging (IM) and chat room discussions. Sweeping reforms will make it easier than ever for law enforcement to intercept communications if amendments to the Telecommunications (Interceptions) Act are agreed upon by a Senate standing committee. This follows from a story earlier this week where the Australian government is legislating to allow employers to snoop on employees' email and IM conversations."

1984.. GG. Too bad you all outlawed your firearms. I imagine you might be regretting that fairly soon...

I wonder where these concerned citizens where when Bully was first released, I don't recall any controversy back when video games weren't political.