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Canis Canem Edit backlash
Author: Ryan GarsidePublished: 27th October 2006
Is Canis Canem Edit just like Grange Hill?
The answer, unfortunately, is probably not for a couple of weeks. Yesterday, the BBC reported that high street retailers: PC World and Dixons will now not stock the controversial game.
MP, Keith Vaz, is also making sure his voice is heard. He reportedly made this rant:
"It has some very dodgy scenes which if watched by young people may have an affect of what their perception of violence is. It will definitely find its way into the hands of those under 15. They are borrowing these games, they are seeing these games, and there is no control."
Rockstar has come up with an interesting response, drawing comparisons with popular, school based fictional stories:
"Canis Canem Edit is in a rich tradition of other forms of entertainment that have taken a comedic and funny look at school life, whether it be Grange Hill or the Harry Potter books and films."
At the moment it is unclear whether Keith Vaz has actually played the game; if he hasn’t he won’t be buying it from PC World or Dixons that’s for sure. Watch out for our review of Canis Canem Edit in the coming week.
Aren’t there bigger issues for Vaz to worry about than a game revolving around a school? Let us know your thoughts on the Bully backlash in the forums.
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Comments (22)
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Seriously. All that's needed is to educate parents a little more as to why games carry tags. 99% of parents wouldn't let their kids go and watch some 18 rated movie so why on earth would they give them a game that's above the correct rating? :/
Kids are snivelling little gits that ensure their parents capitulate to their demands. After all you can discipline your kids these days because that would be highly illegal. :(
-ED OUT
If parents are concerned, then it's up to them to make sure they don't let their kids get their hands on the game. That means checking on them once in a while to see what the hell they are playing, is it that hard???
Just another example of politicians desperately trying to get themselves in the limelight under the pretence of protecting the children when actually they are doing no such thing. Perhaps if they spent their time actually addressing real social issues then we'd all benefit. I don't see that happening any time soon as it's much easier to pump out cheap little populist soundbites rather than working on policies that require real thought and real effort and will make a real difference.
And yea 18 tag on it and done. Give the parents a chance to show they're able to raise a child. :)
But when has sensible, rational debate ever got a politician in the papers? (Except perhaps Jack Straw recently)
However, I have very mixed feelings about this game. The difference between this and every other violent game is the real closeness to reality. All children are in schools, they see bullying often, and there is a real chance of it affecting them in some way - agressor or victim. I think that this sort of game, where you score on the basis of harm to classmates is easily transferable to the playground, and sends the wrong message to kids.
As for age controls: how many of us saw our first 18 film at the age of 18? Most parents will happily buy something if their child asks for it - the age restrictions on games are CLEARLY not effective. Ask someone who's worked in a shop. The kid comes, you refuse, then the kid returns with parent and cash in hand. Parents don't often see the game play in reality, and as it is a relatively new medium, probably don't think of it in the same way as even a film.
So to summarise: I'm totally in favour of Half-life, GTA and Day of Defeat, because they are not reasonable leaps into reality. But giving school kids the idea of a scoring system based on playground violence? Bad plan.
Yet these books are read by children all the time, often read by parents themselves.
This is just another case of the general media (and general population) being clueless about gaming. They actually have no idea what this game is about, only vague ideas/impressions that are largely innacurate. Of course, this is pretty much true of every major world issue, not just gaming, so it's to be expected. :(
Aggies
fini
Yeah Rockstar has gotten a sh*t ton of free advertising from these idiots.
It is sad and funny to me that these groups try to slam game companies because children are getting a hold of high powered weapons and going on killing sprees. How is it Rockstars fault that people have mal adjusted kids who have easy access to guns because of a lack of good parenting?
No matter though, these cases and calls for bans almost never work, the game industry is pretty untouchable as no one has ever conclusivly proved that violent games cause violent behavior in people, and dont think they havnt tried for the last 15 years.
And just like this, more people will want Bully to see what all the fuss is about just like the GTA series.
Rockstar loves controversey, don't they?
Having said that, some people are a little to... what's the word... stupid. Not everyone is like you, get over it. If two guys kissing in a video game (almost certainly in a literal 'kiss and make up' sense, not sexual) makes you that uncomfortable, perhaps you're a bit insecure. Eh, whatever, I grew up in a location where you're taught to be accepting of other people and diversity.
The man has a very good point here.
:) So true, if you played D&D you were a potential psychopath, if you were the DM then god help you.
I watched one of those crappy FBI files on channel 5 ages ago, one of the pieces of evidence against the killer that he was a DM so was obvioulsy a psychopath.