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Drunk Driving in Video Game Earns MADD Condemnation
May 2, 2008

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News Summary

Gamers playing the new "Grand Theft Auto IV" have the option of switching to drunk-driving mode, a gimmick condemned by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Associated Press reported May 1.

MADD officials contend that the game should be classified as Adults Only, rather than the current rating of Mature, and called on the industry's rating board to make the change.

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

MADD said that game publisher Take-Two Interactive and developer Rockstar Games should halt distribution of the game "out of respect for the millions of victims/survivors of drunk driving."

Gamers who choose to drink and drive in GTA-IV encounter a blurry screen and find driving controls more difficult to control. Virtual bar patrons also have the option in the game of hailing a cab or walking.

"We have a great deal of respect for MADD's mission, but we believe the mature audience for 'Grand Theft Auto IV' is more than sophisticated enough to understand the game's content," Rockstar Games said. "For the same reason that you can't judge an entire film or television program by a single scene, you can't judge 'Grand Theft Auto IV' by a small aspect of the game."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:
(Comments now appear first to last)

Posted by alcohol educator on 05 May 08 01:27 PM EDT
I have not seen this video game in question so I'm not sure if the dunk driving mode is irresponsibly portrayed in a fun & exciting fashion or not. While I fully agree that drinking & driving is irresponsible & extremely dangerous, could it be that individuals who play this game could actually learn something important from the experience? Could it be that they may see just how difficult it is to maneuver a car while intoxicated? Something like the programs that are brought into high schools where teens are able to put on the drunk driving goggles to see just how difficult it is to safely drive & quickly react under the influence of drugs or alcohol?

Posted by Kay on 05 May 08 03:40 PM EDT
It doesn't matter how "mature" you are - drunk driving is not a joke and it should not be mocked in a video game. Video games are supposed to be fun and exciting to play; is that how we want "mature" or "adult" players to view this issue? It seems that the portion of the game that portrays driving under the influence should be removed. Drinking and driving is a serious problem among adults too and portraying a driver that has been drinking in a video game doesn't bring light to the issue, it makes fun of it.

Posted by N Bellik on 06 May 08 08:02 AM EDT
This is really an overreaction. The drunk driving 'option' is not something that is meant to be exciting or exhilarating. The character goes to the bar as one of about 15 different options to do with friends or on a date, much like in real life. As soon as you sit in a motor vehicle an in game caption appears recommending that the player take a cab or walk. If the player drives while intoxicated the police almost immediately start chase and the driving during this portion is extremely difficult. There are also in game consequences to being arrested. Actually this game does a better job than real life at reminding players of these consequences directly prior to taking action and bringing immediate negative consequences for doing so.

Posted by Robert Ybarra, FADD on 08 May 08 12:23 AM EDT
I think they should invent a game with the option of calling Fathers Against Drunk Drivings project Provide-A-Ride for a Safe and Sober ride home. For more details visit us at www.faddintl.org. Thanks and Stay Alive, Don't Drink & Drive. Have a sober graduation!!

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