Japanese State Bans 'Grand Theft Auto'

daRk_heLmet · May 31, 2005, 05:37 PM

Selling or renting Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 3 to minors is now illegal in the Kanagawa state of Japan after the government deemed that it was too violent and harmful to younger gamers. Since being introduced in Japan in September of 2003, nearly 350,000 copies of the game have been sold.

Restrictions were placed on GTA 3 after officials expressed concern that children would mimic the game's actions. As part of the restrictions, the game must be separated from other "safer" titles, and will now have a "Harmful" sticker on the front of the box, similar to the Parental Advisory stickers on U.S. music titles. In order to purchase GTA 3, a person must be 18 years of age or older.
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Source: BetaNews

nForcer · May 31, 2005, 05:42 PM

lol if you can't take the heat, stay out of the sun!

aaronbond · May 31, 2005, 06:08 PM

haha that's odd that they haven't had a ratings system in place. It's rated M (Mature) here in the US and you have to be 17 or older to purchase.

FDM80 · May 31, 2005, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronbond

haha that's odd that they haven't had a ratings system in place. It's rated M (Mature) here in the US and you have to be 17 or older to purchase.

Yeah, but you'll see on news magazine shows (Dateline, 20/20, etc.) that they have all done hidden camera investigations into the sales of games rated M and they have found that most places don't bother asking for proof of age and the majority of the time they just sell the game.

The system only works when the employees follow the rules and considering what lots of them are paid, it's not a surprise that it happens. Cheap labor usually means cheap results.

Mazuko · Jun 1, 2005, 05:17 AM

Kind of surprising with all the crazy violent games, movies, anime, etc. that comes out of Japan...that they would be worried by a game like GTA.

May 31, 2005, 05:37 PM	#1
daRk_heLmet Keep firing, assholes! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Death Star Posts: 1,072 Rep Power: 0	Japanese State Bans 'Grand Theft Auto' Selling or renting Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 3 to minors is now illegal in the Kanagawa state of Japan after the government deemed that it was too violent and harmful to younger gamers. Since being introduced in Japan in September of 2003, nearly 350,000 copies of the game have been sold. Restrictions were placed on GTA 3 after officials expressed concern that children would mimic the game's actions. As part of the restrictions, the game must be separated from other "safer" titles, and will now have a "Harmful" sticker on the front of the box, similar to the Parental Advisory stickers on U.S. music titles. In order to purchase GTA 3, a person must be 18 years of age or older. _______________ Source: BetaNews __________________ [color=white]My Blog[/color]

Jun 1, 2005, 05:17 AM	#5
Mazuko DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,008 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Kind of surprising with all the crazy violent games, movies, anime, etc. that comes out of Japan...that they would be worried by a game like GTA. __________________ E-bay feedback: http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...me=STRK:ME:UFS

May 31, 2005, 05:42 PM	#2
nForcer Twice the fun! Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,404 Rep Power: 0	lol if you can't take the heat, stay out of the sun!

May 31, 2005, 06:08 PM	#3
aaronbond DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 86 Rep Power: 0	haha that's odd that they haven't had a ratings system in place. It's rated M (Mature) here in the US and you have to be 17 or older to purchase.