‘Manhunt’ linked to UK murder
p2pnet.net News:- A 17-year-old UK youth, Warren Leblanc, pleaded guilty to murdering a14-year-old boy whose parents say Leblanc was obsessed by Rockstar’s Manhunt, states a BBC story here.
It quotes the father as saying Manhunt is, “a video instruction on how to murder somebody, it just shows how you kill people and what weapons you use.”
Another Rockstar game, Grand Theft Auto III, is also blamed for inspiring two brutal murders in California. Deputy district attorney Darryl Stallworth wants death penalties for reputed killers Leon Wiley and half-brothers Joe and Demarcus Ralls, “the most malevolent members” of a gang linked, “to about a half-dozen slayings, scores of robberies, and a set of shootings,” says the Alameda Times-Star.
“The gang evidently craved media attention and shared a fascination with the video game ‘Grand Theft Auto III,’ police detectives concluded. Members of the clique ranged in age from late teens to some in their 20s,” it states.
Haitian civil rights groups filed a lawsuit against Grand Theft Auto: Vice City because they say it instructs players to “kill the Haitians” and awards points for each kill.
‘Sorry,’ says Rockstar
In the UK, the murdered boy’s mother said, “”When one looks at what Warren did to Stephan and looks at the brutality and viciousness of the game one can see links,” states the BBC, continuing that Dixons Group, which includes PC World and Currys, and video game specialist Game have taken Manhunt off their shelves and other stores are thinking about doing the same.
“A statement from the game’s publishers Rockstar North said: “We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by these tragic events’,” adds the BBC.
“You get to meet – and brutally kill – some very interesting people,” says a caption under a pic on CNET Networks’ GameSpot, lauding Manhunt.
New Zealand’s Office of Film and Literature Classification says Manhunt is so bloody and violent that it’s not fit to be sold in New Zealand.
Rockstar is owned by New York’s Take-Two Interactive, of which New York Post writer Christopher Byron had to say in January:
“Take-Two was founded in 1993 by a young fellow named Ryan Brant, who was apparently raised in a family steeped in its own Vice City values. Ryan’s daddy, Peter, a polo-playing fop from Greenwich, Conn., did time in federal prison for tax fraud after trying to write off $1.5 million worth of massages, jewelry, scalp rubs and what-not as business expenses.
“Last spring, Dad was hit with more tax woes when federal prosecutors filed a suit against him and his partner – art dealer Larry Gagosian – alleging that they owe $26 million in taxes on fine art sales dating back to 1990.
“Dad was an original investor in Master Ryan’s excellent adventure, and currently collects $474,000 per year from the company in return for leasing it some of the New York real estate he owns. That lease is set to expire in the new year.
“The Securities and Exchange Commission got interested in Take-Two last year after the company restated its financial results for most of the previous two years. The restatement followed reports that the company had been claiming revenues from fictitious sales.”
Bloodstained floors
California state legislators recently decided there’s not much wrong with violent video games – even for children.
Two bills designed to restrict the access of minors to violent video games failed to clear a committee of California’s state Assembly.
The state, governed by former movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger of Terminator fame, is home to Hollywood and increasing numbers of violent video games are being based on equally bloody Hollywood ‘epics’ such as the Chronicles of Riddick, a criminal anti-hero who “escapes from Butcher Bay”.
The game, “earns its M rating with bloodstained floors and walls decorated with various four-letter expletives,” says one review.
“While considered a first-person shooter, calling it that is a bit of a misnomer. There are gun battles, but often you only have your fists or a knife.”
July 30th, 2004 at 2:58 am
It was definitely a terrible tragedy, however, it’s ridiculous for someone to blame a video game instead of the crazy idiot who committed the crime.
July 30th, 2004 at 3:37 am
Hello,
I am a frequent user of Rockstar’s Manhunt. I enjoy playing the game with it’s intense scenario, and it’s ferocious fights. I am a big fan of Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto series also, which has similar gamplay compared to Manhunt. By the way, just because I like these games doesn’t mean that I am a violent person.
five news were running a poll. It was to do with “violent games being banned”. I myself totally disagree. Why should these games be banned? Think of the other teenagers like me, who are not influenced by these games, who play the games to enjoy it, not to imitate what charatcers do in the game. If violent games were to be banned then the enjoyment of gaming will disintigrate. Think of all the shooting games e.g. Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, Hitman, Medal Of Honor, I could go on all night. ‘Shoot ‘em ups’ is probably the most popular genre in games, because the games are excellent.
I am shocked at this incident, but it can’t lead to “banning” these types of games. Even if they were banned it would influence people to download warez copies of these games, which is not good at all.
Thank you for reading,
James Caldwell, 15.
30/07/2004 03:36.
July 30th, 2004 at 2:39 pm
Hi James: Games such as Manhunt inspire and encourage violence, in my view (as you’ll have already gathered : ) But thanks for your thoughts, and thanks for letting other readers know who you are.
Cheers! And all the best …
Jon
August 27th, 2004 at 10:26 pm
Quite simple, if you can’t handle the game (as being only a game) don’t bother to buy or play it.
Can’t handle the graphics of the game ? You have eyes, close them.
I thought australia was nuts for giving it only a MA15+ rating, heck we should of gone with new zealand and banned it completely (but of course the Australia Office of Film & Literature Classification board have their head up their ass ‘again’).
You get what you give.
July 30th, 2005 at 7:37 pm
super game bitch
November 1st, 2005 at 11:54 am
Personally i think this report is highly unobjective and i find it ridiculous that people beleive that playing a video game was what caused this murder. There are always other factors involved and isolating one such factor as the only cause is narrow minded.