The Society For the Promotion of Community Standards lobbyed the Film and Literature Board to ban GTA IV.
It’s good to see the board have decided that New Zealand’s video game fans should not be denied the freedom to buy and play GTA IV just because these self appointed moral guardians don’t want them to be able to.
From the Melon Farmers:
New Zealand Board of Review clear Grand Theft Auto IV
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Based on article from buttonmasher.co.nz
New Zealand’s Film and Literature Board of Review has reconfirmed the earlier decision of the Office of Film and Literature Classification to grant the “uncut” version of GTA IV an R18 classification in New Zealand.
The nutters of the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards had applied for a review of the classification and claimed:
that players are encouraged to commit wantonly breach the criminal law and commit acts that are crimes against persons and property
that the constant stream of obscenities in the game advances misogyny, and demeans, degrades, and dehumanises women in particular
that the dominant effect of the game is to titillate, entertain and engage players within the mindset of an action drama that glamorises: criminal activities, the infliction of extreme violence or extreme cruelty, drug-taking, the killing of law enforcement officers and innocent members of the public etc.
In upholding the R18 rating for the game, the Review Board considered a submission from Stan Calif, director of First Games. The Board accepted Stan’s point that committing acts of crime in the game are not without consequence – such acts always draw a rapid Police response – and found that the game does not promote or encourage criminal acts. The satirical nature of the game also helped lessen the impact of violent acts in the game.
“that players are encouraged to commit wantonly breach the criminal law and commit acts that are crimes against persons and property.”
Yes they are. But in a VIDEO GAME. And against FICTIONAL persons and property.
But like all self appointed moral guardians this lot believe that people who play video games are stupid and will go out and do what they do in the games on the streets and to real people.
“that the constant stream of obscenities in the game advances misogyny, and demeans, degrades, and dehumanises women in particular.”
This is this group’s personal view. That is no reason to ban GTA IV.
“that the dominant effect of the game is to titillate, entertain and engage players within the mindset of an action drama that glamorises: criminal activities, the infliction of extreme violence or extreme cruelty, drug-taking, the killing of law enforcement officers and innocent members of the public etc.”
Again another personal opinion. The Society For the Promotion Of Community Standards clearly believes New Zeland’s censors should be dictating what people can and cannot view as entertainment.
The society has waged a virulent war against the GTA series lobbying for the games to be banned. Behind their campaign is a belief that video game players cannot be trusted to play these games without wanting to go out onto the streets and enact what they do in the games on real people.
But New Zeland’s censor has decided that adults should be free to choose to play the game and not be denied that choice just because this pressure group dissaproves of it.
