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Test Subject
Original Poster
#1 Old 12th Mar 2010 at 9:38 AM
Should kids just under the age rating be allowed to play GTA4?
Hi, Is it okay for someone a couple of years under the age rating to play
GTA 4? Its not the violence, drugs, offending langagne, gangs or alcohol but more sexual and nudity. My parnets is more concern about sexual stuff and I don't want to do stuff that is highly sexual on there I only want to kill people and myself in funny ways.

I am very mature and will never copy what I saw of this game. I know just about all the swear words so thats no worry (I never say any though).

My concern is that I have younger brothers that will start playing it (I know they will but they only like the shooting part like me). I have played Driv3r which is an old simlar verson of GTA.

If it is extremely sexual and nudity is there any way to avoid it?

Does it show the people 100% naked?

I will not want the game if it is as I find its a stupid idea (I could of swore then but I didn't).

I kinda made my younger brothers want the game as I told them brilliant things about it but I think I can turn them off it (and maybe a few other things).

Please reply
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#2 Old 12th Mar 2010 at 10:06 AM
I find it sort of shocking that that your parents are more concerned with sexual content than graphic violence. I'd waaaaay rather my kid see naked tits or whatever than someone getting shot in the face.

I didn't play GTA4 much - I recall some bad language and kind of a skeezy conversation the main character has with his cousin in the beginning, but like all GTA-type games, before too long you're left to your own devices and can just ignore all the missions and drive around shooting people and running them over. Considering the backlash they had about the whole "Hot Coffee" thing I sincerely doubt there's actual true nudity or real sex in the game. Doesn't mean there's not sexual content, but compared to being able to run over old ladies with very little consequences? Some boobs and people talking about fuckin' aren't really that big a deal. :P

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#3 Old 12th Mar 2010 at 10:28 AM
I have GTA IV and i can tell you that the closest thing to sexual content is (1) The strippers (2) The hookers (3) The girl friends, tho idk about the GF in IV cause once you reach a certan point with them, you can say good bye or go inside with them(kinda like in GTA SA) but there are no sex scenes unless you count the hookers cause its not like older GTA's where the camera looks up and you can only rotate it. in IV the hookers have full anims so best to avoid them(they are kinda hard to find so it kinda doesnt matter) and avoid the strip clubs as anyone counts what goes on in them as sexual content to.
Test Subject
Original Poster
#4 Old 13th Mar 2010 at 9:20 AM
Quote: Originally posted by that guy ya see every day
in IV the hookers have full anims so best to avoid them(they are kinda hard to find so it kinda doesnt matter) and avoid the strip clubs as anyone counts what goes on in them as sexual content to.


You won't need to worry about the hookers since I will likely mistakely run them over from driving on the sidewalk.

The reason my parnets aren't that concerned about the violence is because I live on a farm and I have seen cows being gutted, so there isn't to much more gory than that.
#5 Old 13th Mar 2010 at 9:59 AM
lol they are VERY hard to find depending on the settings i think, or R* made it that way. the only thing you need is a good pc that can at least run the game at mid settings cause IV is a big step from the old GTA's. and you would get more about GTA IV if you go to www.GTAForums.com , they have every thing on just about every GTA.

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Test Subject
#6 Old 13th Mar 2010 at 7:06 PM
If I had a kid, I'd say 13 would be a safe age for GTA IV if there is a complete understanding that there are plenty of consequences to what happens in GTA 4 in real life - including criminal charges, morals, STDs, emotional grievance, etcetera.
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#7 Old 14th Mar 2010 at 12:16 AM
Quote: Originally posted by HystericalParoxysm
I find it sort of shocking that that your parents are more concerned with sexual content than graphic violence. I'd waaaaay rather my kid see naked tits or whatever than someone getting shot in the face.


Couldn't agree more.

Personally I think this is a game more suited to children fifteen years or older. It can be quite brutal at times is intended for an adult audience.

That said nudity is minimal in the game. It is only in the DLC that sexual content becomes a little more evident. In the first DLC - Lost and the Damned - there is full frontal male nudity. In the second DLC - The Ballad of Gay Tony - there is a new TV show taking the mickey out of Japanese anime and make some very explicit jokes pertaining to sex that I doubt your folks would be all that impressed with.

That said - and call me a fuddy-duddy for it - but I don't think it is appropriate for anyone under 15 to play. Of course I don't know you personally; it is dependent on the child in question's personality.

*** Games Journalist with the magazines PC Powerplay and Hyper ***

And guys don't say a game is 'addicting'. That is a horrible massacre of the English language. The word is 'addictive'. Thank you. :)
#8 Old 14th Mar 2010 at 9:14 AM
idk about 15 and up, more like 13 and up sounds better. iv played GTA ever since GTA III came out, and one thing to remember is that the sexual content in GTA goes up a couple percentages(about 10 or 20 percent each game) same with the blood baths but the killing has been toned down a bit(if none of you have noticed that in GTA III you could blow peoples arms and legs off, but in vice city and San Andreas you could only do that to heads of peds and in IV you cant do ether).

I got super powers to, wanna see?
Forum Resident
#9 Old 14th Mar 2010 at 9:58 AM
When it comes down to it, it has nothing to do with age, so this theory doesn't apply to everyone. I know a twenty year old guy who is as sheltered as a three year old, who's obviously old enough to play GTA, but still won't. Which hey, it's his choice, I can't tell him what to do.

I had horrible experiences as a child who had too lenient of parents, so my opinion could be a little bias. I just kinda figured it's common sense. There's a reason why ESRB rates these games, there's a reason why some of these games aren't appropriate for children, so why deny it?

The strange thing is people don't usually consider, is that MOST parents still don't know that games are rated, let alone know what it is exactly that they're actually buying their kids when it comes to videogames. I know this because I actually used to work at a GameStop, and had parents that would walk in with their three year olds, pick up a copy of GTA, and bring it up to the register unknowingly. Me being the big mouth I am, I actually asked one of these "parents" if they knew that this game was inappropriate for children, and she looked at me like I was some kinda idiot. Then she tells me, "well it's a videogame, aren't all videogames for children?" NO!!! I just about died. This isn't Pong lady! Not every game is about an Italian Plumber in red overalls! I eventually showed her the rating, and what the game involved, and to my surprise she actually thanked me for telling her, and since she understood that I was just trying to be helpful, I decided to help her find something a little more appropriate.

I'm still amazed to find that some parents still don't know the differences between these games, and what's appropriate and what's not. Some parents are aware, but so long as they realize that they are doing this of their own will, I'm fine with it. I can't tell you how to raise your child.

I eventually quit working at GameStop though, when I was blamed by a parent by allowing her to buy her ten year old a copy of GTA San Andreas. My manager backed me up, but at that point...I just got sick of it.

@_@

Conclusion?

Be a parent! You are responsible for your children, know what it is your exposing them to, 'cause knowledge is power.

Simple as that.
Field Researcher
#10 Old 15th Mar 2010 at 2:56 AM
Quote: Originally posted by singing_Noel
When it comes down to it, it has nothing to do with age, so this theory doesn't apply to everyone. I know a twenty year old guy who is as sheltered as a three year old, who's obviously old enough to play GTA, but still won't. Which hey, it's his choice, I can't tell him what to do.

I had horrible experiences as a child who had too lenient of parents, so my opinion could be a little bias. I just kinda figured it's common sense. There's a reason why ESRB rates these games, there's a reason why some of these games aren't appropriate for children, so why deny it?

The strange thing is people don't usually consider, is that MOST parents still don't know that games are rated, let alone know what it is exactly that they're actually buying their kids when it comes to videogames. I know this because I actually used to work at a GameStop, and had parents that would walk in with their three year olds, pick up a copy of GTA, and bring it up to the register unknowingly. Me being the big mouth I am, I actually asked one of these "parents" if they knew that this game was inappropriate for children, and she looked at me like I was some kinda idiot. Then she tells me, "well it's a videogame, aren't all videogames for children?" NO!!! I just about died. This isn't Pong lady! Not every game is about an Italian Plumber in red overalls! I eventually showed her the rating, and what the game involved, and to my surprise she actually thanked me for telling her, and since she understood that I was just trying to be helpful, I decided to help her find something a little more appropriate.

I'm still amazed to find that some parents still don't know the differences between these games, and what's appropriate and what's not. Some parents are aware, but so long as they realize that they are doing this of their own will, I'm fine with it. I can't tell you how to raise your child.

I eventually quit working at GameStop though, when I was blamed by a parent by allowing her to buy her ten year old a copy of GTA San Andreas. My manager backed me up, but at that point...I just got sick of it.

@_@

Conclusion?

Be a parent! You are responsible for your children, know what it is your exposing them to, 'cause knowledge is power.

Simple as that.


Ditto on that. Some people are just too ignorant when it comes to this. I do let my nine-year old cousin play San Andreas, provided that I tell her not to do it IRL and keep her spree of carjacking at a safe place. Some people think I'm crazy, and I do admit that I am, but I guess parents should be more responsible and informed on what kids should do, rather than succumb to mob psychology and side with the irate folks at the Village of Foul Devotees or Jack Thompson and protest in front of R* offices.

If your son or daughter wants to play something in the lines of GTA, you can, just as long as you're informing him/her about the risks involved and what he might expect along the way. If you don't want him/her to hear any profanities, turn the volume down. I also thought of having a friend of mine to write an SCM script blocking access to strip clubs and stuff, and I even came up with ideas for a map mod designed for kids patterned after Strawberry Shortcake, but I dunno.
#11 Old 15th Mar 2010 at 5:54 AM
hmmm, if i remember correctly, there was a mod that removes alot of the rated M stuff in GTA SA on some web site, idk what it has in it but removes a lot of stuff from GTA SA like hookers and car jacking so it makes the game playable for kids under 10 but its only on pc as ps2/3 and xbox 360 are not modable.

I got super powers to, wanna see?
Field Researcher
#12 Old 15th Mar 2010 at 8:06 AM
I guess I should start on working with that GTA Strawberryland map mod, in all seriousness.
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#13 Old 15th Mar 2010 at 11:07 AM
I have to say I think people diluting down the impact of media on children to just a case of "You know not to do that right?" is a bit simplistic.

There are a lot of evils in this world that children should not be exposed to; not because they don't understand the context but rather because it exposes them to aspects of modern day life they should not have to deal with at that age. They don't have to worry about these things at this age so let them keep their innocence.

I know that sounds really airy-fairy but its how I feel. Don't be in a rush to grow-up. One's childhood is a special time that should be kept precious before the ugliness of adult life intervenes.

*** Games Journalist with the magazines PC Powerplay and Hyper ***

And guys don't say a game is 'addicting'. That is a horrible massacre of the English language. The word is 'addictive'. Thank you. :)
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#14 Old 15th Mar 2010 at 11:19 AM
What ElPrez said. Even if you don't believe that video games cause children to be violent (I don't believe it's a direct cause and effect relationship), children grow up so fast as it is. The rush to desensitize kids to violence and yet keep them from seeing a nipple just blows my mind. Just one of those ERROR: DOES NOT COMPUTE things that I don't think I'll ever understand. I think it might make more sense to me if it were -both- things that parents were trying to shield their children from - protecting them from concepts that may be too adult for their young minds to understand yet. That I get. But... violence is okay and sex isn't? Doesn't make a lick of sense to me, at all.
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#15 Old 15th Mar 2010 at 12:01 PM
Agreed. Sex is a beautiful thing that sustains life... violence, well I think y'all see the point.

Heh... I still remember sneaking a peak at a porno magazine when I was about 6 or 7. That young lass covered in sand and naught else... one of my most beautiful memories.

BTW I'm not suggesting parents show pornos to their kids. :P

*** Games Journalist with the magazines PC Powerplay and Hyper ***

And guys don't say a game is 'addicting'. That is a horrible massacre of the English language. The word is 'addictive'. Thank you. :)
Field Researcher
#16 Old 16th Mar 2010 at 12:31 AM
Quote: Originally posted by ElPresidente
I have to say I think people diluting down the impact of media on children to just a case of "You know not to do that right?" is a bit simplistic.

There are a lot of evils in this world that children should not be exposed to; not because they don't understand the context but rather because it exposes them to aspects of modern day life they should not have to deal with at that age. They don't have to worry about these things at this age so let them keep their innocence.

I know that sounds really airy-fairy but its how I feel. Don't be in a rush to grow-up. One's childhood is a special time that should be kept precious before the ugliness of adult life intervenes.


This explains why I hate Bratz. I blame the people behind it for turning innocent little girls into hood rats.
Lab Assistant
#17 Old 24th Mar 2010 at 10:10 AM
I have been playing Grand Theft Auto since I was around 5 years old and I can handle it and not do anything like what happens in the game in real life but it really depends on your personality.

I love Grand Theft Auto it's one of my favorite games, I have every GTA game ever made and I am loving the Grand Theft Auto IV. Watch out for the cops!

Somethings not right, I'm sorry, I'm literally retarded, Slim Shady, I think that's my name.

Hi my name is Marshall Mathers I'm an alcoholic, I've got a disease and they don't know what to call it, you better hide your wallet beacause I'm coming to strip yo cash!

JUST LOSE IT AAAARRGH!!
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#18 Old 24th Mar 2010 at 3:34 PM
I repeat, it is more than just 'can you handle it'.

*** Games Journalist with the magazines PC Powerplay and Hyper ***

And guys don't say a game is 'addicting'. That is a horrible massacre of the English language. The word is 'addictive'. Thank you. :)
Alchemist
#19 Old 24th Mar 2010 at 4:17 PM
My 8 year old doesn't like GTA 4, but he played the hell out of San Andreas when he was 6 or 7. I haven't seen any ill effects
Test Subject
Original Poster
#20 Old 27th Mar 2010 at 9:43 AM
Its not more me but my brothers playing GTA 4 (because they are younger) one is 13 and the other just turned 12. The one whos 13 I won't have to worry about because he one of those players who runs around shoot everyone and everything (I know this because I have watched him played Driv3r) and doesn't play the story or those little features that doesn't let them shoot everything. But my 12 year-old brother will do everything he can on it and explore everywhere.
My brothers are responsible and WILL NOT copy what they have played.
Test Subject
Original Poster
#21 Old 27th Mar 2010 at 9:45 AM
Forgot to mention the version of GTA 4 mine thinking of is Xbox 360
Forum Resident
#22 Old 27th Mar 2010 at 9:48 PM
I'm pretty sure only children with a bad social background tend to be influenced by such games in a negative way. It's a thing of education and how the parents treat their children and how much they talk to them. If a child gets beaten and abused, i think this particular child gets influenced more by this game violence.

In Germany there were alot of those violence acts where they went to the school and played real-life counterstrike, and each and everyone of those teenagers had a bad social background and had to attent a psychiatrist. This incident, especially "Erfurt" was followed by a discussion of politic who thought it's only the "killergames" who made those teenagers that way.

But maybe children in the age of 13-15 don't have their mind fully developed, so they could get a wrong idea and especially in this age memories like this burn into the mind very deep. Still i think it's no problem, if the parents don't use the TV or video games to raise their children and let these machines do the work for them (something which is not very uncommon nowadays i believe)

I for myself started gaming at the age of 10 (Snes) and it didn't affect me in a bad way at all. That's my opinion on this matter.

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#23 Old 29th Mar 2010 at 3:29 AM
So allowing children to keep their innocence is not even a consideration for anyone in this thread other than HP?

I can't begin to tell you how much that depresses me. Is childhood seriously that devalued in our society?

*** Games Journalist with the magazines PC Powerplay and Hyper ***

And guys don't say a game is 'addicting'. That is a horrible massacre of the English language. The word is 'addictive'. Thank you. :)
Alchemist
#24 Old 31st Mar 2010 at 7:41 PM
Quote: Originally posted by ElPresidente
So allowing children to keep their innocence is not even a consideration for anyone in this thread other than HP?

I can't begin to tell you how much that depresses me. Is childhood seriously that devalued in our society?


How does a child lose his innocense from a game?
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retired moderator
#25 Old 1st Apr 2010 at 12:27 AM
From being exposed to concepts they need not be exposed to. Crime and violence are not children concerns, children need to be aware of the evils of the world only in so far as to keep away from them but they don't need to understand the intricacies of violent crime. They'll have to deal with all that adult stuff soon enough... why rush them into adulthood. I miss my childhood... it was such a worry free life... why rob that from kids when they'll never get the chance to experience it again. Ever.

It is the whole rushing our kids to adulthood that I disagree with. Society has forgotten the value of a child.

*** Games Journalist with the magazines PC Powerplay and Hyper ***

And guys don't say a game is 'addicting'. That is a horrible massacre of the English language. The word is 'addictive'. Thank you. :)
 
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