United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi folks, sorry to tell you this but I won't be posting on the boards for the next few days as I will be in total suclusion from the world..... Grand Theft Auto San Andreas was released in Australia today (play station 2 game) and I have my copy in my hot little hand, the one that I can use that is, and we will be working hard to achieve the ultimate end. Sorry guys but mum will have to post for me.....I'm sure she will keep me in touch with what is going on...take care all.... I'm going back to my little slice of heaven....regards Michael (ha! ha! ha!)

Michael,

Emjoy your slice of heaven and let us know when you make it to the end.

Best of luck,

Hugs, Karen

Have fun with that!!! Seey a when ya get back to the "world" haha

COurt xx

lucky you! enjoy, michael! i stick to cd-rom games as i can't figure out how to use my friend's ps2 with one hand. annoying really as i wanted to play the LotR Return of the King game *pout*

see you when you sutface!

hugs,

jan

OK,I couldn't resist. saw this on aol and had to post it just for michael *evil grin*

frankly, i believe that people will do what they're predisposed to, not that they're influenced by games, movies or music!

keep in mind, this is the same provincial government that wants to ban a breed of dog but refuses to meet with veterinarians, animal control officials, breeders or other experts!

in case you're wondering, no, i didn't vote for them *grin*

besides, i'm sure michael's mature enough to enjoy it -- now jamie, i'm not too sure *grins, ducks, then runs like heck*

hugs to all,

jan

PROVINCIAL MINISTER WARNS PARENTS ABOUT GAME

TORONTO (CP) - Attention, parents: there may be a skull-cracking, car-stealing thug in your living room.

Jim Watson, Ontario's province's consumer and business services minister, put parents on notice Wednesday about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the latest gory instalment in one of the most popular franchises in video game history. "I grew up in a generation when Pac-Man and Pong were the strongest games that were available," Watson said before the government's weekly cabinet meeting.

"There's blood, there's gore, there's a lot of violence, and we have to ensure that parents know what their kids are buying and what they're watching."

In Grand Theft Auto, players rub elbows with drug dealers and gang members as they roam a vast urban environment, stealing cars, beating up rival thugs, and soliciting prostitutes all in the name of a high score.

The game has been selling out of many Toronto stores since it went on sale late Monday night, one day before its official release in Canada.

"We sold about 150 copies within two hours," said Rob Bundy, who works at EB Games in east-end Toronto. "It's crazy."

So far, the game hasn't earned the dramatic reaction from authorities that did Manhunt, a grisly prison-escape spectacle which earlier this year earned an unprecedented R rating from the Ontario government.

But Watson said the province's planned restrictions on the sale of violent video games will soon help parents to screen what sort of entertainment their kids are enjoying.

"Parents, shopkeepers, and young people will know what the rating is, and they won't be allowed to purchase it if they're . . . under 17," Watson said.

"Our role, as I see it, is to ensure that parents, and shopkeepers, and the people buying it know exactly what the contents are through the ratings system, and that seems to be working."

Legislation that would allow the province to enforce existing video game ratings, and fine shopkeepers who flout the rules by selling certain titles to kids, is currently awaiting third reading in the legislature.

Still, Bundy said the frenzy over Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - which is only available for Sony's Playstation 2 console - pales in comparison to the anticipation surrounding Halo 2, a deep-space first-person shooter sequel to the game that helped launch Microsoft's popular Xbox.

"This is nothing compared to Halo 2," Bundy said. "We had 250 pre-orders for (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas); for Halo 2 we have upwards of 500. It's going to be insane."

The Canadian Press, 2004

10/27/2004 15:09 EST

Hi Jan,

Yes there is a car stealing thug in my living room right now. Michael has started a gang war, robbed several convenience stores, shot dozens of people, even ran over some (its really hard to drive a car with one arm on playstation), sold drugs and crashed several cars and bikes and that has been in the last 10 minutes.....I even get the "mum quick come and have a look at this that I can do in this game". But heck what harm can it do... don't we see this type of voilence of the tv everyday.... and this is actually happening in the world, I refer to the nightly news.

As Michael said to tell you tonight, this game is getting rid of some unwanted tension and frustration without hurting anybody in the process... however at the same time gets him quite frustrated at times when he can't achieve what he wants in the game.

The game here in Australia has been a major sell out. It probably will get banned, but in the meantime there are thousands of kids out there buying it and going wild over it. I really believe also that what you said is true, people are not influenced by games, movies or music.... they will do it anyway no matter what. By the way Jan Michael said to tell you go and get a copy you after playing that for a while you definately will sleep well at night....take care... luv Narelle & the one in seclusion.

Yeah well at the risk of p*ssing you all off I have to come in on this thread...I personally can't understand why kids ...and I do mean kids under 18...are so hooked on these things and that their parents either turn a blind eye towards what their kids are playing, or are simply unaware of the true content. It truly shocks me that parents have no idea (most of the time) what their kids are being exposed to while playing these 'games.'

Here in the UK things like Grand theft auto and Manhunt are sale restricted (suposedly)to adults only, but its well known that even 11-12 year olds can go into most of the major stores and buy these things.

I also totally disagree with the perception that these 'games' don't cause any harm..., the game Manhunt was volutarily removed from the shelves by all the major stockists here after the terrible case of the boy who battered his mate to death with a hammer in a manhunt-style killing after luring him into woodland.

I believe there was something in the US too where two young lads spent the day taking live pot-shots with their Dads rifles at cars going along the freeway near their home. They killed one and seriously injured another in another in a manhunt-style copy cat. I personally don't believe in these two cases that these kids would have ever thought up these things by themselves.

Okay, I know these are isolated cases, but stil...Anyway, this is just my opinion, obviously everyone has their own.

Lizzyb

Lizzie

I would add that the general desensitizing towards this type of violence has a deterimental effect on our lives. I worry about a society that is not outraged by this type of behaviour instead of being entertained by it. Getting thrills, even vicariously, from rape, murder, and general thuggery is problematic.

I have this debate (constantly, I might add) with my 12 year old son. Together we try to find the limits in the general excitement of car chases, battles, violence, etc thrown at him everyday from everywhere. Somewhere, there has to be room for compassion, sensitivity, and emotional growth.

It is a complicated issue and probably not one that needs to happen here. Although, I would guess the copycat problem of kids emulating the extreme stunts seen on these movies and games certainly swell our ranks.

H