Thompson bullies Rockstar over upcoming game - 2.8.05

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for Rockstar Games. After San Andreas has been given an 'adults only' rating, and even banning in Australia. Let us also not forget of the granny who is trying to sue Rockstar and parent company Take-Two over false and misleading packaging.

Now comes an even more worrying dilemma for the already bruised games developer. An anti-bully organization, 'Bullying Online' has hit out at Rockstar's upcoming title 'Bully', demanding that it be banned.

The foundation is worried that the game may lead people to act out what they see in the game. Of course they have no basis for saying this, nothing to suggest that this would happen.

Bully Online's Liz Carnell has said:

This game should be banned. I'm extremely worried that kids will play it and then act out what they've seen in the classroom.... Bullying is not a game by any stretch of the imagination. We have around four suicidal children contacting us every day

Also, just when you thought Jack Thompson might be content with getting San Andreas into the debacle it's in, the anti-game lawyer is now targeting Rockstar's bully game. Thompson is already putting pressure on the game's developers and certain retailers.

A check of Internet web sites today reveals that Wal-Mart, GameStop, ToysRUs, and Amazon.com are all presently pre-selling the game with no questions asked as to age of the buyers.

says Thompson.

Currently there is no decision as to a rating for the game but most industry sources expect the game to be tagged with an 'M' rating, which will mean it cannot be purchased by anyone under the age of 17.

In another statement, Thompson asks Take-Two president Paul Eibeler to reconsider the game's upcoming release. "I and others are today calling upon you to stop the release of Bully," the statement, in part, read.

Also contained in the statement from Thompson is a reference to a demonstration slated to take place tomorrow in lower Manhattan, outside the corporate headquarters of Take-Two Interactive. According to Thompson, two busloads of Washington, DC schoolchildren will protest the game's release, though it was not clear what organization was promoting or funding the demonstration.

Just as Hot Coffee cools down, another bully, it seems, lurks in the corners.

Bully to blacken Rockstar's other eye?

By Gary (Email: Gary at igniq dot com)

	« Igniq.com Gaming News Thompson bullies Rockstar over upcoming game - 2.8.05 Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for Rockstar Games. After San Andreas has been given an 'adults only' rating, and even banning in Australia. Let us also not forget of the granny who is trying to sue Rockstar and parent company Take-Two over false and misleading packaging. Now comes an even more worrying dilemma for the already bruised games developer. An anti-bully organization, 'Bullying Online' has hit out at Rockstar's upcoming title 'Bully', demanding that it be banned. The foundation is worried that the game may lead people to act out what they see in the game. Of course they have no basis for saying this, nothing to suggest that this would happen. Bully Online's Liz Carnell has said: This game should be banned. I'm extremely worried that kids will play it and then act out what they've seen in the classroom.... Bullying is not a game by any stretch of the imagination. We have around four suicidal children contacting us every day Also, just when you thought Jack Thompson might be content with getting San Andreas into the debacle it's in, the anti-game lawyer is now targeting Rockstar's bully game. Thompson is already putting pressure on the game's developers and certain retailers. A check of Internet web sites today reveals that Wal-Mart, GameStop, ToysRUs, and Amazon.com are all presently pre-selling the game with no questions asked as to age of the buyers. says Thompson. Currently there is no decision as to a rating for the game but most industry sources expect the game to be tagged with an 'M' rating, which will mean it cannot be purchased by anyone under the age of 17. In another statement, Thompson asks Take-Two president Paul Eibeler to reconsider the game's upcoming release. "I and others are today calling upon you to stop the release of Bully," the statement, in part, read. Also contained in the statement from Thompson is a reference to a demonstration slated to take place tomorrow in lower Manhattan, outside the corporate headquarters of Take-Two Interactive. According to Thompson, two busloads of Washington, DC schoolchildren will protest the game's release, though it was not clear what organization was promoting or funding the demonstration. Just as Hot Coffee cools down, another bully, it seems, lurks in the corners. Bully to blacken Rockstar's other eye? Related: Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Announces Federal Trade Commission Inquiry(26 July) Did Rockstar damage the gaming industry? Federal Investigation to Reheat Hot Coffee Clinton Statement Praises ESRB, Smacks Rockstar Rockstar Admit Percolating Hot Coffee (22 July) Take-Two press release announcing ratings change id CEO voices concerns over Hot Coffee Discussion >> By Gary (Email: Gary at igniq dot com) Sponsored links: Concert Tickets Online skill games Play Online Bingo Gamer Social Networking Buy Wii Games Online Best prices: PS3 (60 GB) Console Place a link here