Prepare for a rant, because people blaming violence on video games is one of my sensitive spots.

This is so stupid. It's bad enough that they have to go around hurting people and breaking other people's things, but then to say they did it because of a video game? Okay, yes, GTA is pretty bad, but if they didn't do it because of GTA, then they would have done it because of some other game, or because of people committing crime in real life. People that have urges to do those sorts of things don't think it's cool because a video game character does it, they think it's cool because they haven't been guided into strict morals (i.e., not stealing and destroying other people's property) by parents or some other authority figure.

There are millions of kids out there that have played games like GTA and never done anything wrong, because they were taught that you don't do that sort of thing in real life. Video games aren't the cause of violence, sometimes they just get into the hands of violent people.

Just like with anything else (violent movies, explicit music, news of a serial killer, your uncle stealing from the family so he can fuel his drug addictions), video games should come with advice and guidance from parental figures. If the parent can't find it in themselves to make sure that the child knows that what's shown in the game is not necessarily something to be acted out in real life, then the child should not be given the game (or allowed to play it).

Awww, those poor things! These impressionable, wide-eyed teenager victims must have been brainwashed by that awful, evil video game! Set them free!

yeah ... this should be great entertainment

Colleeninator, you said it very well.

It's bad enough when the media get all "Ooh, this must have been the fault of that video game/movie/TV show" when a crime happens. But to use it as an EXCUSE for your OWN behavior? That's a new one on me. What a bunch of pond scum. Talk about not taking responsibility for your own actions.

With "the video game made me do it!" as their defense, I hope they get the book thrown at them HARD.

Sometimes I drive down the street weaving in and out of traffic while throwing banana peals and turtle shells at other cars. This, of course, is the result of me playing Mario Kart.

Pathetic, both the actions and the excuse given. I suppose they're also going to throw red shells at people while driving.

@calamari weirdo just throw squid ink on their windshields or strike them with lightning.

Wasn't there just a study that said that normal kids aren't influenced by violence in video games because they are able to seperate the fact that what they are playing is fantasy and you can't apply it to real life.

Unfortunately these kids found an easy cop out and the media and groups that want to shut down the producers of those violent video games are going to run away with it. Next you'll see these idiots on Dr Phil while he asks then " so playing GTA spurred you to act it out in real life" and idiot number 1 will say "uhhhh yeah."

haha, i play that video game i love it and sometimes i dream that i'm shooting drug dealers or stealing cars! its crazy. but actually going out to renact a part of the game that is just plain dumb

you know one of the differences between mario kart and GTA is the when you look at and play MK you know its not real. Its not even close to wanting to look real, but the folks at GTA made their game as real looking as possible. I think that has a huge affect. I also play smash brothers, but I don't have laser guns or flowers to hit people with. But a baseball bat can definitely hurt someone.

Wow. What's sad is that kids nowadays just think that they can commit crimes and now blame it on tv and video games and actually get away with it!

Two of the kid's have prior records!! What, did they blame those offenses on GTA San Andreas?!!

Kids are smart enough that they know they can do bad stuff and then blame video games for it, and the lawyers and media will eat it up. In the old days, teens did the same thing with TV, movies, cars, and so forth.

They could have been "emulating the character in that Grand Theft Auto game," but the game didn't make them do it. Even if that's where they got the idea from, it was their own stupid decision to go out an commit the crimes. They could have gotten the idea from a hundred different places, but their actions are their own fault.

i agree, it's REALLY pathetic! what a really lame excuse. i love the game.

one of these kids goes to my old high school, they shouldnt be blaming a video game for their stupid acts

Its such a cop out when people blame the media for people doing violent things. Maybe I am unique but when I watch a tv show or a movie or play a game I know that its just that - a show, movie, game not reality. Its so sickening that people buy into that crap that GTA or Marylin Manson or what have you "corrupted" our youth and yadda yadda. Gimmie a break.

There really isn't much to say. We all know that this is bull. Here we go again with the violent video game debate.

LMAO Calamari. Nicely said!

you're hilarious calamari!

oh great, now they will probably sue the makers and live the high life for being losers on crime spree

The only reason why you all see positive messages about GTA is that all of you guys are normal people, you have definitely had someone near you to say what is right and what is wrong, and that is why you all say it freelly. In game-business there are people who watch over the age sorting to prevent hurt to children (children = underage). Unfortunately, the societies all around the world are not perfect. Families suffer poverty, alcoholism, drugs, things that take those caring and guiding parents away from children, not to mention divorce (in some cases the children are not damaged). My point is that many people have fun watching a movie, playing a video-game and so, but for an underage to play the GTA, I am personally against it. It is a sort of practice, where the child developes a very self-centered personality that suffers lack of empathy. However, I agree that the game is not the starting reason, but it could be the complementary factor to an unfixable adulthood, the price of which the society pays.