14 DAY TRIAL // Fox News is slowly turning into a bigger, meaner Jack Thompson, with only one huge difference: the network's anti-gaming campaign does seem to have an impact on the gaming world and the public opinion. Which is both scary and unfair since, this time, there is absolutely no proof (not even some mad scientist paid to talk about something he doesn't know) or reason to justify the unfairness of the treatment received by the most anticipated game of the year, Grand Theft Auto IV, in Chicago.
Following a sad weekend in Chicago, where 36 people have been shot, 2 stabbed and 9 have died, the local Fox News affiliate came up with a material questioning the posting of GTA IV ads on buses and train stations. Apparently, the inoffensive ads (no violence, no sexual acts, nothing offensive at all) were responsible for the acts of violence in Chicago.
Even worse is the fact that Chicago Transit Authority president Ron Huberman told Fox News through a representative that the ads would be removed. Outrageous, indeed - removing ads of a video game just because the game itself is violent. Generally, ads are to convince people who don't know anything about a product to buy it, not those who already have it, right? Then, how could some inoffensive ads have as a result an increase in violence? Strange things happen in this world and I really have the feeling that somebody is getting really envious on the fact that the game industry is growing while others (let's say, at random, television) is slowly dying. But being insane and radical without a reason is outrageous!
Not to mention the fact that ads for R-rated movies, suggestive, violent or offensive TV program ads are not rejected by the CTA. But, as always, it seems that games are different. So... does GTA IV have any faults? Absolutely not. Fox News is guilty now. For making people lose their minds and banning inoffensive ads.