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CHILD WELFARE GROUPS SLAM ROCKSTAR FOR BULLYING GAME
Anti-bullying charities have strongly criticised Rockstar’s Bully, pointing out that children commit suicide over issues which the game makes light of – but the publisher says it’s “no worse than [teatime TV show] Just William”…
Full Story:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=10622 -
Stand up Rockstar, don’t be……….well……….bullied by child welfare groups
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Hmmm, I dunno. Bullying is a sensitive issue, and strikes much closer to home then performing jobs for organised crime units. Rockstar is not likely to deal with the Bullying issue very deftly
Of course, the real issue is whether this game will actually cause any extra bullying, either through encouragement of those who play it or portraying bullying it in a desensitising manner, questions that are better answered after actually playing the game. It’s not like bullies haven’t been portrayed stereotypically before but with an already controvercial studio (Not sure if it’s R*North specifically, but people aren’t going to differenciate) does this in a video game, it definitly attracts attention.
Frankly, I see more danger in this becomming yet another partisan fighting match were the legitimate issues of both sides are stamped down in a battle of uncomprimising rightiousness. Jack Thompson getting involved isn’t likely to help things. This is sad, as I definitly think Bullying is a serious issue that needs to be delt with on a worldwide scale, and as such, it needs attention, consideration and action. R*’s new game may do little to help this, both in terms of distracting Bullying agencies and how they represent Bullying to the general population.
As someone who was bullied, I can say it’s not fun. Bullying is a complex issue and can vary a from case to case. My initial reaction to the game when it first came out was largely disinterest given that it seemed to be going for what seemed an over the top stereotypical theme which I just wouldn’t relate with (my experiences felt a lot different). I still don’t know how this game is going to turn out, and this may well be troublesome for those who were involved with bullying. Either way, I’d just like to see steps taken in reducing the bullying and increasing the confidence in schoolkids and other people these days. Maybe this involves taking some form of action in relation to the game, maybe it dosn’t. However, I get the impression that the greatest impact this game will have is in those who hear about the game, not those who play it.
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