"Grand Theft Auto IV" rekindled the violent video-game debate with reports that an 8 year old who shot and killed his elderly caretaker had been playing it. Studies have been inconclusive on the issue, but the debate stretches back more than three decades.
The top 10 violent video-game controversies —
"Grand Theft Auto IV" rekindled the violent video-game debate with reports that an 8 year old who shot and killed his elderly caretaker had been playing it. Studies have been inconclusive on the issue, but the debate stretches back more than three decades.
Rockstar Games
Its graphics are quaint and antiquated. But "Death Race" may have prompted the first violent video game debate in the arcades of the late1970s with its goal of gaining points by running over "gremlins" who looked a lot like pedestrians.
Death Race —
Its graphics are quaint and antiquated. But "Death Race" may have prompted the first violent video game debate in the arcades of the late1970s with its goal of gaining points by running over "gremlins" who looked a lot like pedestrians.
Exidy
Hitting arcades in 1992 and home consoles the following year, "Mortal Kombat" was the game that properly launched a more widespread conversation about violence in games and, eventually, a video-game rating system. With multiple sequels, it is the most popular fighting game in history.
Mortal Kombat —
Hitting arcades in 1992 and home consoles the following year, "Mortal Kombat" was the game that properly launched a more widespread conversation about violence in games and, eventually, a video-game rating system. With multiple sequels, it is the most popular fighting game in history.
Midway Games
"Doom" was the first massively popular first-person shooter game. Seeing violence from a shooter's viewpoint was new, and it didn't help that the shooters in the Columbine High School tragedy played it.
Doom —
"Doom" was the first massively popular first-person shooter game. Seeing violence from a shooter's viewpoint was new, and it didn't help that the shooters in the Columbine High School tragedy played it.
Moby Games
Multiple lawsuits were filed against the makers of "Grand Theft Auto," which put players in the role of criminals and allowed them to do all manner of badness.
Grand Theft Auto —
Multiple lawsuits were filed against the makers of "Grand Theft Auto," which put players in the role of criminals and allowed them to do all manner of badness.
Take Two Interactive
The original "Silent Hill" had a horror-movie feel and a character that appeared to be a mutated version of a school girl was found objectionable by some.
Silent Hill —
The original "Silent Hill" had a horror-movie feel and a character that appeared to be a mutated version of a school girl was found objectionable by some.
Konami
Perhaps the least objectionable aspect of "Postal 2 was a cameo appearance by actor Gary Coleman, who died in 2010.
Postal 2 —
Perhaps the least objectionable aspect of "Postal 2 was a cameo appearance by actor Gary Coleman, who died in 2010.
Running With Scissors
Many objections about "MadWorld" came due to the fact that it was released for the Nintendo Wii, which is largely considered a family-friendly console.
MadWorld —
Many objections about "MadWorld" came due to the fact that it was released for the Nintendo Wii, which is largely considered a family-friendly console.
Nintendo
"Bioshock" was a groundbreaking game and a hit with critics. But some were troubled by the "Little Sisters," mutated versions of young girls that a player may choose to fight and kill.
Bioshock —
"Bioshock" was a groundbreaking game and a hit with critics. But some were troubled by the "Little Sisters," mutated versions of young girls that a player may choose to fight and kill.
2KGames
Hugely popular, "Modern Warfare 2" turned heads with an optional mission in which players may choose to shoot civilians.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 —
Hugely popular, "Modern Warfare 2" turned heads with an optional mission in which players may choose to shoot civilians.
Activision/Infinity Ward
How out of control does the violent video game debate sometimes get? One cable news channel speculated that "Bulletstorm" could be the worst game ever and increase rapes -- before anyone had actually seen it.
Bulletstorm —
How out of control does the violent video game debate sometimes get? One cable news channel speculated that "Bulletstorm" could be the worst game ever and increase rapes -- before anyone had actually seen it.
Epic Games