Sex workers call for boycott of GTA

by Conrad Quilty-Harper { Feb 16th 2006 at 6:00AM }

Having a consortium of lawyers, politicians and policemen calling for a ban of your flagship title is obviously not enough these days. Take-Two and Rockstar can now add sex workers to the list of pressure groups calling for a boycott of the Grand Theft Auto series of games. Citing a 2001 research document from the National Institute on Media and the Family (the group that gave the games industry a D plus), the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA claims that GTA "accrues points to players for the depiction of the rape and murder of prostitutes" and therefore should be boycotted by parents.

The strange thing here is that we find ourselves agreeing with SWOP's aim, if not their methods. Parents should already be boycotting Grand Theft Auto, at least for the purposes of buying the game for a child under the age of 18. The fact is that GTA should not be played by children, yet parents or older siblings are usually the people that children use to gain access to rated games. A boycott isn't needed (parents need to have fun too) but increased awareness is.

[Via digg]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

AssemblyLineHuman @ Feb 16th 2006 6:53AM

I disagree, Conrad.

If we are willing to say that no children should be permitted to play Grand Theft Auto, then why not simply impose legislation? The reason we say it is the parents' job to keep their children from playing violent or sexually oriented video games is because it simply should be left up to the parents to regulate what their kids do or view. Is a parent allowing their children to play Grand Theft Auto an example of bad parenting? Perhaps, but that's just your opinion (and probably the opinion of many people), but that doesn't make it the correct opinion.

Honestly, I doubt very many people think that the minute someone ages a year, they instantly gain maturity and become less impressionable. Parenting is not something that can be generalized across all children. Every child is different, and every parent is different. Depending on the child's maturity and the parents' moral values, a child quite possibly should be allowed to play a game like Grand Theft Auto.

Doop @ Feb 16th 2006 7:22AM

I do not remember rape in GTA

jc @ Feb 16th 2006 8:35AM

Doop,fta: "In the games, players can solicit "services" from prostitutes by driving their cars slowly near them. No sexual acts are in clear visible view, but during the "transaction," the player regains health and loses money. Though the player cannot actively rape prostitutes in the game, a possible rape is alluded to once during the storyline of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The prostitutes, like every other character, are also subject to homicide at the hands of the protagonist."

Rob @ Feb 16th 2006 8:41AM

Why now? Wouldn't this have been more timely, oh, when GTA III came out years ago? And even San Andreas has been out over a year.

epobirs @ Feb 16th 2006 8:46AM

Of course. Has nobody else noticed that only since the massive success of GTA III and upward that prostitutes of the street walker variety are no longer treated with dignity and respect by the class of persons who engage their services? Has nobody else noticed the great media frenzy accompanying the sharp rise in prostitute robbery/murders in recent years where prior to GTA the trade was safe as houses?

It is amusing to see that there is no group of people who cannot find their way into the ranks of the Perpetually Offended.

Sid @ Feb 16th 2006 9:36AM

Good post there #7, I have to agree.

This is the second time I have heard that a GTA player recieves "points" for his various mis-deeds in the game. The first time it was Jack Tompson talking about how a GTA player got "points" for killing cops in-game.

GTA doesnt have a "point" system.

Its either that people (prostitutes and Jack Tompson in this case) dont even know the game well enough to understand its reward and monetary system, OR they do understand it but they would rather use use the term points because it gives the impresion that killing prostitutes and cops is a key element of the game.

EatingPie @ Feb 16th 2006 10:18AM

"A boycott isn't needed (parents need to have fun too) but increased awareness is."

Can someone please tell me exactly why a boycott is NOT needed?

All I've heard are statements similar to the above ("parents responsibility" "don't limit our gameplay" etc. etc.). But nobody has actually said WHY GTA is okay. WHY we should not boycott it.

If you really believe GTA is okay, then please say why... and WITHOUT the "it's just a game" argument, because that ain't good enough.

-Pie

Paul @ Feb 16th 2006 10:21AM

I've only played Vice city but it definitely had a point and ranking system. I remember you could get points, I don't remember how, but more points got you rankings like "Goon" or the easter egg "SA Goon".

But the points didn't do anything and weren't visible showing you what you earned or anything.

Zsavior @ Feb 16th 2006 11:11AM

Saddly enough there is some truth in all these post. GTA S.A. is getting so much press not cause the main character is black, but cause black urban culture is popular right now. Kids aren't trying to wear cheap 80's suits talk with a cuban accents and take on the columbian drug cartel while courting Michele PFieffer and her cocaine habit. The Characters from GTA SA can be seen in numerous Rap videos, and glorified in movies and music. That is why it is recieving so much bad press the characters that are in the game can some what be seen outside of it even if the elements aren't there. Second their children are emulating the 50 cents the Ice Cubes, and other gangsta rappers and Urban culture they see, so while it isn't just the race card, you can be damn sure it played a part.

As for why shouldn't this game be boycotted, well there is only one real reason. Gamers from all sorts of age, race, and gender find the game compelling, fun, and interesting ; GTA S.A. doesn't need any other reason than that to validate it being played, and produced by game developers. The real question is why do we as a society find beating prostitutes, shooting officers of the law, up holding racial and ethinic negative stereotypes a fun past time. Some how we enjoy entertainment that tells tales of heinous acts and that trivializes hurting the less fortunate and glorifies criminals and brutality. As a society we do this and then when our children pick up on it we blame media and video games for showing them our shame.

haman @ Feb 16th 2006 11:13AM

"boycott" is being thrown around way too much. people, if you feel that GTA:SA has morally wronged you somehow, don't buy it, or the whole series. If you wanna take it one step further, don't buy anything from R*. you have that right as a consumer. that, in itself is boycotting. if you have no problem with the game, give it a try, buy it, and contribute to a decent game company. but dear god, don't force any of your opinions on me. like a-holes, everybody's got one, and that's enough...

DG @ Feb 16th 2006 11:42AM

I think it is completely legimitate that sex workers want to protect themselves against the idea that it is somehow okay to rape them and brutalize them. While you may frown upon prostitution, don't be so naive to believe that many, many people solicit the services of escorts, female companions, hookers, whatever.

Should there be a boycott of GTA? If only because it's a boring, simple, redundant game thoroughly played out by now. It seems to me that its Adults Only rating is legimitate deterrent enough from children buying it.

In a capitalist society, there is a demand for and supply of both violent video games and sex workers. It seems only fair to me that both industries (prostitution is legal in Nevada, remember) are properly protected.

Michael @ Feb 16th 2006 12:08PM

Who cares? Driver is better anyway, cars actually handle differently from one and other.

Aikinai @ Feb 16th 2006 1:38PM

If you're worried about children killing prostitutes after they're finished with them, I think we have a deeper problem than suggestive games.

warning(choking hazard) @ Feb 16th 2006 4:42PM

"accrues points to players for the depiction of the rape and murder of prostitutes"

wait a minute, i've played every gta and i dont remember raping hookers. she gets in your car, does her thing and she leaves. Where is the rape in that? i thought it was only considered rape if the woman(or guy) said no.

#7
this games should not be boycotted because they can be really fun and entertaining when you're mature enough to play it. if you giggle like a little school girl when you pick up a prostitute to "heal" yourself then you shouldnt be playing this game. period.

genju_yro @ Feb 16th 2006 5:06PM

"Sex workers call for boycott of GTA"

This is plain stupid.Leave Rockstar and TakeTwo alone will ya?Even the garbage man will sue them now.
They should gather some money and donate to cure AIDS or something,bitches.
Most prostitutes are proud of what they do...f**k 'em!

Landon @ Feb 16th 2006 6:27PM

i've been playing gta since i was eleven, and it hasen't fvcked me up that much

Steve @ Feb 16th 2006 6:38PM

Parents need to have "fun?" Get a life! Who do you think the children are learning this trash from? What a waste of programming tallent.

Steve @ Feb 16th 2006 6:45PM

All a boycott means is we don't spend our money on a specific product or with a specific company. I think I'm already boycotting them and I didn't even know it. No one is forced to join a boycott.

Dave M. @ Feb 16th 2006 9:27PM

Actually, I'm waiting for the Elvis impersonators to sue next. What a laugh. This has to be the most ridiculous story I have seen yet about GTA and lawsuits.

Dan @ Feb 17th 2006 11:43AM

A boycott is a personnal choice and by all means, if you are offended by the game simply don't by it. You can voice your opinion, but don't by any means force your opinion on everyone else. Simply state your opinion and hope that it reaches a few.

As far as legislation, this would be a huge mistake. This would be censorship and would be violating the freedom of speech that we are given in this country. The programmers and the company producing the game have demonstrated very poor taste, but that does not mean that they should lose their freedom of speech. If you do not like what they have to say (throught the actions of the game) then don't buy it and don't permit your children to play it. I don't allow the game in my house, but I would never try to outlaw the game. This all leads back to parenting and being active in the rearing of your children.

As far as the "sex workers" are concerned, there are inherent risks in their profession. They entered the profession knowing the risks existed. GTA did not invent these risks nor do they state that it is ok to abuse "sex workers". They simply bring facts of the profession to the public eye. If I remember correctly, once these crimes were committed the character was pursued by law enforcement. In my opinion (yes, they are like butts, everyone has one and they all stink.), this demonstrates that although you could do this act, there are consequences.

To summarize:

Boycott - do what you want.
Legislation - no way!
Moral - not in my opinion, but it is only my opinion.
Parenting - Get involved! Do what you feel is right for your children and let others do what they feel is right.

Wayne @ Feb 17th 2006 10:24PM

When i first heard this on the radio i thought it was a joke. Who really cares about the opinion of some piece of trash charging 10 or 20 dollars for a little action. If you dont like what the game portrays about hookers then maybe you should look for a more respectable line of work.