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Mothers against GTAIV's drunk driving

MADD asks ESRB to rerate Rockstar's game Adults Only over inebriation simulation.

Much like its unfortunate series of protagonists, the Grand Theft Auto series seems to be continually under fire. The latest parental interest group to put the game in its crosshairs is Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which commemorated Grand Theft Auto IV's release yesterday with its own official statement decrying the game.

Noting that drunk driving claims nearly 13,500 lives each year, MADD said that it is "extremely disappointed" that the game lets users get virtually drunk and then get behind the wheel of an equally virtual automobile.

"Drunk driving is not a game and it is not a joke," MADD said. "Drunk driving is a choice, a violent crime, and it is also 100 percent preventable."

MADD is asking the Entertainment Software Rating Board to bump Grand Theft Auto IV's rating up to AO for Adults Only from M for Mature. The ESRB's content descriptors for the game currently include "use of drugs and alcohol." The parental group also said that it is asking the game's "manufacturer" (presumably Take-Two Interactive) to consider stopping distribution out of a sense of social responsibility, or out of respect for those who've been hurt or killed by drunk drivers.

1560 Comments

  • SuperYeti22

    Posted Feb 5, 2010 6:03 am GMT

    In a game called GRAND THEFT AUTO, the game that involves shooting cops and civilians, parents complain about optional virtual drunk driving, w***houses, and strip clubs.

  • Shootn

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 6:55 pm GMT

    I also could guarntee a few of these madd parents had bought the game for there kid and then start to complain right when they see their kid playing it. Then they complain how they shouldnt sell these sort of games to kids. So i ask myslef why did you buy it in the first place.

  • Shootn

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 6:50 pm GMT

    I think rap supports smoking and gettting drunk and i dont hear anything abotu that.

  • jreynolds150

    Posted Mar 9, 2009 1:08 pm GMT

    How about get a life! MADD! Its a game not a reality show! Why not B_tch about MTV too with all the queers on there losers!!!! 31 yr old male PIECE OUT GTA4 RULES!!!

  • RonHack

    Posted Aug 25, 2008 1:57 pm GMT

    I support the efforts of M.A.D.D., but even I find this story ridiculous.

    Does virtual drunk-driving actually INCREASE incidents of real drunk driving? Or is this just some confusion on their part?

    The reason you'll want to drunk-drive in a gameworld is BECAUSE your actions ARE NOT permanent or irreparable. The reason you don't do it in meatspace (the real world) is because THEY ARE.

    Let's keep things in perspective, folks.

  • micknator

    Posted Aug 13, 2008 12:34 pm GMT

    This game might me helping the drunk driving issue. If people have seen how it's like to drive drunk (by playing GTA IV), they might notice that drunk driving isn't that easy.

  • D2T8L

    Posted Jul 9, 2008 1:33 pm GMT

    As in GTA: Vice City, VCPR. Moms Against Popular culture or in short MAPC, MAPC gay I don't know. Stop complaining making AO will just have even more people buying it. We all know. Same with San Andreas. AO = There must be something good it lets buy it!

  • ROOFDIER

    Posted Jun 25, 2008 1:44 am GMT

    hahahahahahahah

  • Lonske

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 8:21 pm GMT

    BS!!!!!There are much worce things to complane about!!!!

  • Hony_Hawk

    Posted May 22, 2008 10:48 pm GMT

    why pick on gta i can think of 32 other games that have drunk driving and no says nothing about them

  • acsam12304

    Posted May 19, 2008 1:23 pm GMT

    no they just want to get some attention from the news and by the nation so they end up fighting againts a stupid reason. yeah thx know i know where my charity money is going to.. being wasted on some stupid reason

  • cookscranny

    Posted May 13, 2008 10:02 am GMT

    MADD needs to go **** them self they are stupid people and they give so many cool people bad names

  • WJCJ

    Posted May 11, 2008 7:43 pm GMT

    UMMMMM.......THATS WHY YOU TAKE A CAB!!!!!!!. They need to stop worrying about a video game effecting kids. Its not rockstars fault that parents arent as responsible as they should be.

  • Projekt_Zeer-O

    Posted May 10, 2008 8:34 am GMT

    It just makes me sad that the parents are complaining more than these underage players-like me. These 13,14,15 year olds that are playing bring up more good points and arguments than these parents. It's so pathetic, these people need to GROW up and GET over it.

  • Projekt_Zeer-O

    Posted May 10, 2008 8:30 am GMT

    Okay, if they say that it is 100 percent preventable, than it is also preventable in GTA IV. You DON'T HAVE TO DO IT! You idiotic parents that get all pissed off than you go out and BUY the damn game for your kids? Well, boohoo! I've said this once and I'll say it again, the responsibility lies with the parents, not with the government, not with these organizations, not with Rockstar or Take2. QUIT BLAMING ROCKSTAR AND TAKE2 AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN DAMN SELF! Your walking around crying the blues when you-yourself-buy this game for your kids. It clearly says on the back "Mature 17+". Also, there are many previews for you and your kid to see. GameSpot did a good preview on it, they said there'd be drunk driving, so quit complaining about it. I just wanna slap all these stupid people sometimes.

  • Nalo117

    Posted May 9, 2008 11:37 pm GMT

    If these mothers know so much about GTA IV as to know about the drunk driving, why do they let their kids have it?

  • bballplayer08

    Posted May 9, 2008 11:36 am GMT

    You would think that people would get a sense that virtually driving drunk can be a way to measure how hard and dangerous it is. I've taken a couple dates and friends to bars in the game already and it's sooo freakin' hard, plus you get a wanted level if the cops see you in the game driving drunk. People need to get off the gaming industry's butt and parents need to start being responsible for their children and not have the government crack down on the gaming industry when the RETAILERS are the people who are letting teenagers younger than 17 purchase the "Mature" or "Adults Only" games. Just thought I'd throw my two cents in.

  • Nalo117

    Posted May 8, 2008 11:32 pm GMT

    Notice how they never mention the fact that you can take a cab when your drunk, rather then drive yourself.

  • guddu15

    Posted May 7, 2008 8:34 pm GMT

    Its just a video game.Rockstar are trying to make GTA just in a real breathing world.All the stunt,action,language are done in the real world,so it has been made.It's a video game,it can't influence anyone.If it is influrnceing all the video games should be banned for violence,language,stunts.etc.So now anyone who is commenting he\she is definitely drunk.Let them or their children not to get drunk ever.Its just for fun,Nothing real here....And to all the a**oles who are commenting back off from GTA or I gonna kick his\her a** and kill them

  • darkdragonmage9

    Posted May 7, 2008 8:10 pm GMT

    or teach them not to drink in the first place

  • ChescoAddict

    Posted May 7, 2008 7:34 pm GMT

    This is **** if they are so **** worried about the drunk driving they should teach there sons to take a freaking cab instead of driving the car them selfs

  • TreCoolFan

    Posted May 7, 2008 4:25 pm GMT

    Whoa, controversy over this I understand.....BUT A BUMP FROM M TO AO!?!?! Makes absolutley NO sense at all.

  • Nasba_Ryder

    Posted May 7, 2008 1:22 pm GMT

    ok heres the deal... my heart goes out to those whos lost loved ones due to drunk driving... but for MADD to get..... well mad.. about VIRTUAL drunk driving and asking Take-Two to stop distribution is much. its not a matter of social responsibility or respect... its a video game.... nothing more... nothing less

  • Gloveman08

    Posted May 7, 2008 5:58 am GMT

    i love drunk driving

  • dogman7

    Posted May 7, 2008 5:58 am GMT

    ... Is there even a logical point to an AO rating? It's like saying "Okay kids wait til' you're 18 THEN start drinking and driving." Either way I already have my copy and if I didn't I could buy it 5 times overif it was AO ssssoooooooo. I'm gonna go get hammered and start a high-speed chase down the streets of Miami.

  • deukalion-

    Posted May 7, 2008 3:43 am GMT

    And how many people dies by the hand of weapons each year, which is even the bigger theme of the game? Stop this pathethic whining. It's just a game, whoever can't tell the diffrence between reality and a game needs a headcheck - even those "mothers" who seem to care so much that they don't even trust their children.

  • DoubledToKe420

    Posted May 6, 2008 4:00 pm GMT

    Like its said "VIRTUAL DRUNK" "VIRTUAL DRIVING" it's a game for Christ sake! get a fing life MADD!

  • ctg867

    Posted May 6, 2008 2:54 pm GMT

    Yea, cause ya know, it's not like after you get drunk, it's not impossible to to drive, and the cops to chase you down, and you can't get hurt or killed, and you know that. And it's not like they don't tell you, hey your ****ing drunk, take a cab. /sarcasm

    Wow, these idiots give mothers a bad name. How about a MASM: Mothers Against Stupid Mothers. I like the sound of that. It just flows off the tongue well.

  • Kenji_02

    Posted May 6, 2008 1:59 pm GMT

    IF anything, GTA4 will PREVENT drunk drivers by showing how difficult it is to drive under the influence. MADD is truly "Mad" for not seeing the genius of having a video game that SIMULATES driving under the influence that will reach a mass populous.

  • darkdragonmage9

    Posted May 6, 2008 1:43 pm GMT

    I personaly think every last parental group should butt out.

    Who are they to tell other adults what they can and cannot do. We are not children we don't need protecting from the real world.

    Take all this time you spend trying to get things banned and use it to take care of your kids.

    It is really that simple you want to protect your kids from the real world do it yourself don't expect the goverment to do it for you.

    You really wanna protect your children from the real world ? Burn all your books throw away your tv radio and computer and lock them in the house because it's the only way your gonna keep them from knowing this stuff happens .

  • AndreSCP

    Posted May 6, 2008 1:27 pm GMT

    LOOOOOOOOOL rate GTA IV due to the drunk driving? I can't stop laughing x'DDDDD

  • darkdragonmage9

    Posted May 6, 2008 1:14 pm GMT

    i suggest these parents should do what all parents should do teach there own dam kids how not to do things they don't want them to do and not treat grown adults like we are children and they need to protect us

  • rpgisforme

    Posted May 6, 2008 11:09 am GMT

    ok and next we will make no more games about any war out of respect for anyone who has ever died in one, and then no game that has vehicle accidents of any kind out of respect for anyone who has ever died in one, and then they can't make any Sims games anymore cause their little houses catch fire and we can't have that out of respect for anyone who has ever died in a house fire. It's no different than anything else, we shoot people in all sorts of games but we know we can't go do that in real life. Just because we get "vutually" drunk and drive a car doesn't mean we are any more likely to do it in real life. BTW, I am a 34 year old mother of 4 not some 17 year old fanboy and even I think this is just getting out of hand. GTA4 is fun, leave it alone.

  • krapsrocks

    Posted May 6, 2008 10:34 am GMT

    What are they talking about? Out of all the GTA games this actually holds you accountable to drinking and driving. The cops immediately get all over you when you drive drunk. I myself got a DUI and it is dumb as crap, and yes I am an idiot. That being said this game being for adults assumes that the adults have the brain power to decide what is ok in a video game and what is not ok in the real world. If you get your kids this game you are a BAD parent. (and a dumb one) If we could have people in this country to take some responsibility for their children it would be nice.

  • Isiro

    Posted May 6, 2008 12:38 am GMT

    Lol, I have skimmed through and read alot of the comments, and the ones proving points and/or the ones bashing the MADD and supporting the game have all got thumbs down. It's pretty damn funny to me. As for the game...thats just it... it's a game...if you can't get that through your head then your a **** moron.

  • TheSlanger

    Posted May 5, 2008 11:17 pm GMT

    I'd much rather have my kid getting virtually drunk behind a virtual wheel of a virtual car than to have them ram a telephone pole with my car in a drunken state.

  • UrNameInBlood

    Posted May 5, 2008 6:29 pm GMT

    heres a suggestion for these artards, dont get your kids this game and be quiet nobody likes you!

  • bjghani

    Posted May 5, 2008 3:06 pm GMT

    MADD are NOOBS, this makes me wanna get the game now.

    The founder of MADD was arrested for DUI herself; COSMIC KARMA!!!

  • BenderOffender

    Posted May 5, 2008 2:26 pm GMT

    The ignorant mother is the gamers natural enemy, like lion and tiger, nail and glue, mongoose and squid.

  • Vermin14

    Posted May 5, 2008 1:19 pm GMT

       So there more conserd about being drunk in a video game than in real life wow ya this game makes me want to get a six pack of beer and drive because they did in gta so it fine so instead about me worrying if ill hit a virtual light post why dont you just stick to the real thing an stop real ppl from doing it

  • askiker

    Posted May 5, 2008 12:07 pm GMT

    Haha, silly mothers - they embarrass themselves with their ignorance. Sure DD is bad in real life but THATS WHY WE HAVE VIDEOGAMES - this game is just an outlet for people. Jesus, get over yourselves Jack Thompson, MADD, BAD, SAD, GLAD and whoever else condemns videogames. Im glad we have them - otherwise Im pretty sure there would be MORE crimes committed. If I have a crappy day where someone pissed me off, I go home and GTA it out of my system. Or I could just get a gun and take it to my work. I wonder which option society would prefer?

  • writer4life

    Posted May 5, 2008 11:54 am GMT

    Drunk driving is, indeed, 100% preventable in real life. Drunk driving is also 100% preventable in the game. You have the choice. Like it matters though. You get into a car on GTA while drunk, and you hurt no one in reality. Maybe a kid would find it fun and want to actually try it, but this game is not for kids. The target audience of those 17 and up are generally more responsible to be influenced by anything in this game.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted May 5, 2008 11:54 am GMT

    They need to get out more!

  • GonzoGuy

    Posted May 5, 2008 9:39 am GMT

    What about MarioKart where the Italian guy pops magic mushrooms while driving. I know for a fact that shrooms can turn the road into chocolate ice cream.

    I tried the drunk driving thing in the game once and it was so nauseating and frustrating (trying to get away from the cops) that I've been taking cabs ever since. MADD, SADD, and every other ADD (hmmm) should be praising this game for encouraging people to NOT drive while drunk.

  • Lonelynight

    Posted May 5, 2008 8:51 am GMT

    Why do people care about a 1 year difference? Do they really have that much time on their hands?

  • acsam12304

    Posted May 5, 2008 7:59 am GMT

    Come on people GTA is not only a go steal and just run people over and kill them for notthing. If i recall you get money for helping the cops stopping the bad guys. There are also missions where you have to go help people.

    GTA is not that bad

  • ps3thabest

    Posted May 5, 2008 7:50 am GMT

    i guess men kissing on tv is no where close 2 dis they should worry about that P.S. these women need 2 get laid

  • Grandstream

    Posted May 5, 2008 7:09 am GMT

    Um...why the hell are mothers against drunk driving in an M-RATED video game? It's 17+...people need to realize that the game is recommended for ages 17 and up...if MADD is complaining like that, then that means that there are parents out there not doing their fricking jobs of being just that: parents. Set examples for your fricking kids by telling them to wait until they're 17 to buy M rated games, no matter how much they whine and cry with the old 'but so-and-so down the street got the game from his parents, wah'....

  • Myzz617

    Posted May 5, 2008 5:55 am GMT

    LMAO @The_ripster88 he shot offices. Drunk driving is fun and should only be allowed in videogames.

  • Soxguy09

    Posted May 5, 2008 5:37 am GMT

    Just another group that wants to get famous by putting down another game....

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