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Newspaper offers cash for anti-games story

National daily offers ‘hundreds of pounds’ for interviewees to confess that violent software led to crime

In one of the more unbelievable media twists to come in the aftermath of last week’s Byron Review, a national newspaper is offering readers 'hundreds of pounds' to confess that games pushed them into a life of crime.

An advert encouraging readers to ‘pitch’ their story to the newspaper has appeared on an 'online talent community’ – which promotes opportunities for aspiring actors and models to raise their profile.

It reads:

‘A national newspaper wants your story and will pay hundreds of pounds to the right person.

‘Write a few lines about how computer games turned you to crime and if it's something we like, we'll call you straight back.’

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Koch

The attempt to secure an anti-games story with cash is one of the more worrying moves by the national press in the wake of the Byron Review.

Dr Byron has told MCV that national newspaper reports published the morning of the report misrepresented her recommendations.

The news comes after former morning TV presenter Anne Diamond appeared in a Daily Mail article last week, discussing the ‘chilling’ dangers of titles such as Resident Evil 4 and Scarface: The World Is Yours.

idiots!

posted by Hark Mar 31, 2008 at 12:04 pm
1
Hark

how pathetic.......yawn

Hark

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Re: idiots!

posted by bluejonny Mar 31, 2008 at 12:11 pm
2

Any money it's the Daily Mail or Express

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Re: idiots!

posted by Onehunglow Mar 31, 2008 at 12:20 pm
3

i wouldnt even wipe my arse with those papers if i god forbid run out of bog roll

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Re: idiots!

posted by Mar 31, 2008 at 12:25 pm
4

And thus giving validity to the notion that crime, in fact, DOES pay.

How many vacuous chumps will take this as a cue to commit a criminal act in a way that can clearly link it to a game? They'll probably even capture it on their mobile phones and youtube it...

/golfclap

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Re: idiots!

posted by Dan Mar 31, 2008 at 12:27 pm
5
Dan

I think we should all write a story and at the end say April fools!

Then we can say papers made me bad for giving me cash for a story.

My story so far...

It started with GTA1 i like nicking cars its fun! I then played manhunt and got 2 years for killing hookers!

I am now stalker Anne Diamond cos she is a fat fox you get me like dude init?!

Do i pass?! Cash please!

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Re: idiots!

posted by Dan G Mar 31, 2008 at 12:32 pm
6
Dan G

Why do people in this country continue to buy newspapers anyway? Most of the time the stories appear to be sensationalistic, spouting opinion, or just plain untrue.
Remember the story about salmon being dangerous to your health, which turned out to be a great stretch of the truth (milk and steak were MUCH more 'dangerous' by the same test).

Too many people don't want the bother of taking the facts and thinking for themselves, and instead repeat whatever opinions these publications print.

Personally I prefer facts, not opinion, from the 'news'.

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Re: idiots!

posted by Tom Mar 31, 2008 at 12:33 pm
7
Tom

Pac-Man munching pills repetitive musiczzzzzzzz

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Re: idiots!

posted by gazzara Mar 31, 2008 at 12:48 pm
8
gazzara

This is going way out of control here. It is just encouraging people to jump on the bandwagon for a few extra quid.

I bet that scumbag MP, Keith Vaz, has shares in this paper too.

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Re: idiots!

posted by Mar 31, 2008 at 12:48 pm
9

Dear National Newspaper X,

My name is Daimon Lindel, I own a video game store on the south coast (I won’t say where). When I was at school I was seen as somewhat of a genius, I could have been a doctor, or a lecturer, or both.

That was until I discovered Mario Kart.

The senseless violence the perforated through the game had serious adverse effects upon my ability to think, act or behave. It was if I was hypnotised by speed mushrooms and multicoloured worlds.

Suddenly my driving changed. I couldn’t understand why at first I saw the need to drop banana skins on motorways, or why I would suddenly break the speed limit for ten seconds and slow down. It finally reached a head when I flung my pet tortoise at a car besides me. The man swerved his vehicle and crashed into the barrier. His car was a write off and he has lost the use of one of his arms.

I visited various psychiatric wards and was imprisoned for a spell of 12 months. My career and dreams went with the man’s vehicle/arm.

Mario Kart destroyed me. And it could destroy others too.

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Re: idiots!

posted by Ian Mar 31, 2008 at 12:50 pm
10
Ian

I once read a newspaper and it had girls boobs in it............. Work out the rest!!!! Newpaper writers = talentless Goons!!

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Re: idiots!

posted by sabs Mar 31, 2008 at 1:12 pm
11
sabs

I'm SO applying for this.

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Re: idiots!

posted by Mar 31, 2008 at 1:15 pm
12

agh it's a paysite. plan foiled!

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From the forums

posted by Bruceongames Mar 31, 2008 at 1:39 pm
13
Bruceongames

I played paperboy in my youth and now I'm a journalist for the Mail.

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Re: From the forums

posted by Dylan Epp Mar 31, 2008 at 2:08 pm
14
Dylan Epp

The sad thing is, that this will never reach the public. I wonder why newspapers hate games so much?

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Re: From the forums

posted by Mar 31, 2008 at 2:25 pm
15

Why not name and shame the paper involved, so we can register our disapproval direct?

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Re: From the forums

posted by Schmooo Mar 31, 2008 at 2:32 pm
16
Schmooo

I wonder if Tony Blair will apply, I heard he was playing Call of Duty before he sent troops into Irak!

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Re: From the forums

posted by Brett Stocks Mar 31, 2008 at 2:32 pm
17
Brett Stocks

Dylan. It's because some of these papers are owned by companies that also own TV stations and other interests and video games are 'stealing' advertising money and key demographics from them reducing how much they can charge. In a sense, it's partly out of ignorance and partly out of fear.

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Re: newspapers

posted by sabs Mar 31, 2008 at 3:22 pm
18
sabs

newspapers will print any old ****e as long as it sells papers!

Lies and uneducated opinion pieces, nothing new there!

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Re: From the forums

posted by Tim Mar 31, 2008 at 3:24 pm
19
Tim

Journalistic integrity and professionalism at it's finest. Fearmongers and sensationalists for the win!

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Re: From the forums

posted by Phil Da Greek Mar 31, 2008 at 4:01 pm
20
Phil Da Greek

This is beyond irony. You couldn't make it up, except for, in this case - you can!

Personally, I've spent the last few years wrestling with the effects of having been traumatised by the hours and nights it took me to get to level 163 of Lemmings. As a result, I've held a personal vendetta against small furry animals, I've hardly been able to wear a pair of socks, and as for willy warmers - forget it. If the Daily Fascist wants to gewt in touch for more graphic details, I'm their man.

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Re: From the forums

posted by marcjab Mar 31, 2008 at 4:38 pm
21
marcjab

Well i read newspapers, and now i cant stop sleeping with celebs, mugging old ladies and stealing cars. My poor mind must be warped by all the disturbing stories in the papers they are full of useful information on how to do such things...maybe we should ban them instead as they are readily availalbe to anyone..no age restrictions..

Can i also have some cash.....

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Re: From the forums

posted by Lord Billingsworth Mar 31, 2008 at 4:44 pm
22
Lord Billingsworth

Scapegoating is awesome guys, keep it up.

You know who else scapegoated? Hitler. That's right, I'm lumping you in the category with Hitler.

And you're racist.

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Re: From the forums

posted by cash for chumps Mar 31, 2008 at 5:06 pm
23
cash for chumps

Here’s a novel idea, how many people could make up a load of bull just to get free cash, “oh my I’m a criminal coz I play games, care bears ruined me”.
Could I get off my speeding tickets because I play gran turismo??? (Another reason to sue Sony I think???) No I can’t so don’t be so stupid Mr. Newspaper man. Wake up smell the coffee, oh sorry you can’t because someone stole it (another lawsuit for Grand theft auto)

I played games in the 80’s, so how many of the criminals in prison now played Mario????? Do you see my point???

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Re: From the forums

posted by Damian Mar 31, 2008 at 5:20 pm
24
Damian

I'll admit that thanks to years of playing Mario games, I regularly jump on mushrooms and kick turtles.

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Re: From the forums

posted by bob Mar 31, 2008 at 5:23 pm
25
bob

Can you say "Express"? Did anyone see the ban on hoodies article?

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Re: From the forums

posted by Jimmy Mar 31, 2008 at 5:26 pm
26
Jimmy

I'm possibly a bit old to go for this but I used to play computer games as a lad. They didn't affect us as kids. I mean, it's not as if Pac-Man spawned a generation who spent all their time running around darkened rooms, munching pills and listening to loud, repetitive music...

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Re: From the forums

posted by JD Mar 31, 2008 at 5:33 pm
27
JD

I wonder if hacking into the daily mails network with a modded Xbox counts has games leading to a life of crime! If so give me call or else…

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Re: From the forums

posted by Jimothy Mar 31, 2008 at 5:34 pm
28

Oh dear..

What is up with these newpapers.

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Re: From the forums

posted by bliblix Mar 31, 2008 at 7:03 pm
29
bliblix

I raped my dog after playing S.T.A.L.K.E.R

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Joking aside.

posted by Steve O'Brien Mar 31, 2008 at 7:28 pm
30
Steve O'Brien

At the pointy end of the games industry you see plenty of examples of anger management issues manifested in gamers.

It's easy to wave away your critics when all you do is deal with a publisher, a distributor and a few national buyers in a convivial atmosphere.

Stand behind a shop counter for a day and see for yourself when a customer threatens to burn your shop down, come back packed with a weapon, or offer to cave your skull in because you wont refund a game they've scratched the living daylights out of and you might have a slightly different perspective on things.

I'm not siding with the bandwagon jumping, career defining antics of Mr Keith Vaz but ultimately as an industry we have to accept that violence in video games does have have an affect - but more importantly it about educating the parents who buy video games of this nature for Johnny Six year old and use Playstation 3 as a nanny.

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Confession

posted by Guru Larry - Xleague Mar 31, 2008 at 8:44 pm
31
Guru Larry - Xleague

I've got a violent game lead to crime story i'd like to confess...

I wanted to play Manhunt 2 so much, that I downloaded it off Bit Torrent!!! ^_^

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Re: Confession

posted by AnxietyMan Apr 01, 2008 at 12:11 am
32
AnxietyMan

'Jimmy' stole a Marcus Bridgstocke joke. Weak.

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Re: Confession

posted by bleg Apr 01, 2008 at 7:16 am
33
bleg

Microsoft Office turned me to a life of crime.
Where's my money?

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Re: Confession

posted by Brett Stocks Apr 01, 2008 at 8:50 am
34
Brett Stocks

@ Steve O'Brien,

That's different though. That could be a druggie (or similarly just a thief/burglar) who stole it for their next fix and are getting aggravated that you won't give them the money.

Also, bear in mind it probably has little to do with games and more to do with you not giving them money. The exact same thing happens where you allow any sort of return of an item – return or trade in – whether that be a games store or a supermarket. Games related ones possibly happen more often because even second hand they are worth 10-20 times more than a second hand DVD or CD and so you're more likely to encounter criminals trying to make quick money...

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Good world gone bad!

posted by Dan Apr 01, 2008 at 9:37 am
35
Dan

I think we can blame alot of things... But the bottom line is we should all be nice to each other and thats whats slipping away.

People drive with fog lights in the RAIN! Middle lane drives! They dont thank you for giving way. Shops staff dont give you eye contact and say thanks or sometime even tell you the price just put there hand out!

You cant even have a joke on the phone anymore!

Ring Ring 'Quote me Happy'

'I'm sorry sir i dont understand what you are saying to me'

Its from the Ad on tv QUOTE ME HAPPY?! What sir?

'Just give me a car quote then' :(

I mean you dont even get cash price anymore!

I blame everyone that cant tell RIGHT from WRONG!

Maybe thats the next one coming the TEST....

Rant over!

I can feel the love in this room!!! I have a tear in my eye....

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Re: Good world gone bad!

posted by Firen Apr 01, 2008 at 10:39 am
36
Firen

Why do I seem to be the only one who sees this as an April fools thingie?

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Re: Good world gone bad!

posted by Mr. X Apr 01, 2008 at 1:25 pm
37
Mr. X

Can any of you say April fools? Seriously, this has got to be bull because the fact the application is on a "rising stars" website obvious kills its credibility, even if that paper really does want that, because everyone will know they lied.

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Re: Good world gone bad!

posted by James Apr 02, 2008 at 4:01 pm
38
James

I played pacman as a kid and i like eating stuff HELP ME

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Re: Good world gone bad!

posted by Tim Ingham Apr 09, 2008 at 10:40 am
39
Tim Ingham

I can assure you all, sadly, that this was not an April Fool's jape. It was the worrying truth.

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