Atrax robustus
07-29-2004, 11:12 AM
Manhunt game withdrawn by stores
A number of high street retailers have taken the violent computer game Manhunt off their shelves.
The move comes after the parents of a schoolboy murdered by a friend blamed the game for their son's death.
Warren Leblanc, 17, of Braunstone Frith, Leicester, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to the murder of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah in February 2004.
Stefan's parent's claimed Leblanc had been obsessed by the game but standards bodies have rejected the link.
We are taking it off the shelves with immediate effect
Dixons spokesperson
Leblanc had savagely beaten his victim with a claw hammer and stabbed him repeatedly after luring him to a local park.
Leicester Crown Court heard the defendant had planned to rob Stefan.
However, Stefan's mother, Giselle, claimed Leblanc had been obsessed by the game, which awards points for savage killings.
Immediately after the hearing she said: "I can't believe that this sort of material is allowed in a society where anarchy is not that far removed.
"It should not be available and it should not be available to young people."
A spokeswoman for Dixons said on Thursday: "We are taking it off the shelves with immediate effect."
In addition to the Dixons Group Plc, which includes PC World and Currys, video game specialist Game announced that it had taken Manhunt off its shelves as a mark of respect.
Other stores including WH Smith are debating whether to stop selling the game.
A statement from the game's publishers Rockstar North said: "We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by these tragic events.
"Rockstar Games is a leading publisher of interactive entertainment geared towards mature audiences and markets its games responsibly, targeting advertising and marketing only to adult consumers ages 18 and older.
Those aged eight years or below do in the short-term re-enact or copy what they see on the screen
Professor Mark Griffiths, Nottingham Trent University
"Rockstar Games submits every game for certification to the BBFC - British Board of Film Certification and clearly marks the game with the BBFC-approved rating."
A spokesperson for the British Board of Film Classification said the game had been given an 18 certificate.
It was also the board's opinion that there were no issues of harm attached to the game and there was no evidence directly linking the playing of games with violent behaviour.
The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association, the voluntary standards body for the video game industry, said: "We sympathise enormously with the family and parents of Stefan Pakeerah.
"However, we reject any suggestion or association between the tragic events and the sale of the video game Manhunt."
Professor Mark Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University, a psychology expert, said more research was needed into how violent video games can influence the behaviour of adolescents.
He said: "Research has shown those aged eight years or below do in the short-term re-enact or copy what they see on the screen.
"But there's been no longitudinal research following adolescents over a longer period, looking at how gaming violence might affect their behaviour."
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40432000/jpg/_40432221_stefan_pakeerah_pa_203.jpg
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/leicestershire/3936597.stm
Stefan was repeatedly battered and stabbed by his older friend
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40434000/jpg/_40434729_coll_manhunt203b.jpg
Manhunt should only be sold to people aged 18 and over
Published: 2004/07/29 15:01:10 GMT
© BBC MMIV
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I didnt post this in the Games forum as I believe its not just a games issue.
I find it rediculous that they are blaming this game for the behaviour of the murderer.
(Although they arent blaming it in this article, the news on TV last night did)
The game has and EIGHTEEN certificate and should be sold only to people of that age and older. Its the PARENTS responsibility to monitor what games are being played. And lets face it, they probably bought him the game.
That being said, a game does not force someone to go out and carry out these acts. There has to be something inherently wrong with the person to do that anyway.
Games, TV and Movies have been blamed many times in the past for this sort of thing. Which I find laughable.
People just dont want to take responsibility for their or their offsprings actions and look for a scapegoat. Its pathetic.
I also find it ironic when the TV News covers stories such as this. There is more violence on the news than in ANY movie!
A number of high street retailers have taken the violent computer game Manhunt off their shelves.
The move comes after the parents of a schoolboy murdered by a friend blamed the game for their son's death.
Warren Leblanc, 17, of Braunstone Frith, Leicester, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to the murder of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah in February 2004.
Stefan's parent's claimed Leblanc had been obsessed by the game but standards bodies have rejected the link.
We are taking it off the shelves with immediate effect
Dixons spokesperson
Leblanc had savagely beaten his victim with a claw hammer and stabbed him repeatedly after luring him to a local park.
Leicester Crown Court heard the defendant had planned to rob Stefan.
However, Stefan's mother, Giselle, claimed Leblanc had been obsessed by the game, which awards points for savage killings.
Immediately after the hearing she said: "I can't believe that this sort of material is allowed in a society where anarchy is not that far removed.
"It should not be available and it should not be available to young people."
A spokeswoman for Dixons said on Thursday: "We are taking it off the shelves with immediate effect."
In addition to the Dixons Group Plc, which includes PC World and Currys, video game specialist Game announced that it had taken Manhunt off its shelves as a mark of respect.
Other stores including WH Smith are debating whether to stop selling the game.
A statement from the game's publishers Rockstar North said: "We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by these tragic events.
"Rockstar Games is a leading publisher of interactive entertainment geared towards mature audiences and markets its games responsibly, targeting advertising and marketing only to adult consumers ages 18 and older.
Those aged eight years or below do in the short-term re-enact or copy what they see on the screen
Professor Mark Griffiths, Nottingham Trent University
"Rockstar Games submits every game for certification to the BBFC - British Board of Film Certification and clearly marks the game with the BBFC-approved rating."
A spokesperson for the British Board of Film Classification said the game had been given an 18 certificate.
It was also the board's opinion that there were no issues of harm attached to the game and there was no evidence directly linking the playing of games with violent behaviour.
The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association, the voluntary standards body for the video game industry, said: "We sympathise enormously with the family and parents of Stefan Pakeerah.
"However, we reject any suggestion or association between the tragic events and the sale of the video game Manhunt."
Professor Mark Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University, a psychology expert, said more research was needed into how violent video games can influence the behaviour of adolescents.
He said: "Research has shown those aged eight years or below do in the short-term re-enact or copy what they see on the screen.
"But there's been no longitudinal research following adolescents over a longer period, looking at how gaming violence might affect their behaviour."
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40432000/jpg/_40432221_stefan_pakeerah_pa_203.jpg
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/leicestershire/3936597.stm
Stefan was repeatedly battered and stabbed by his older friend
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40434000/jpg/_40434729_coll_manhunt203b.jpg
Manhunt should only be sold to people aged 18 and over
Published: 2004/07/29 15:01:10 GMT
© BBC MMIV
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I didnt post this in the Games forum as I believe its not just a games issue.
I find it rediculous that they are blaming this game for the behaviour of the murderer.
(Although they arent blaming it in this article, the news on TV last night did)
The game has and EIGHTEEN certificate and should be sold only to people of that age and older. Its the PARENTS responsibility to monitor what games are being played. And lets face it, they probably bought him the game.
That being said, a game does not force someone to go out and carry out these acts. There has to be something inherently wrong with the person to do that anyway.
Games, TV and Movies have been blamed many times in the past for this sort of thing. Which I find laughable.
People just dont want to take responsibility for their or their offsprings actions and look for a scapegoat. Its pathetic.
I also find it ironic when the TV News covers stories such as this. There is more violence on the news than in ANY movie!