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anti-games, starnow, starnow.co.uk, www.starnow.co.ukNewspaper offers cash for anti-games story

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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.’

Trolltech


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.

1
 

“idiots!”
Posted by: Hark - Mar 31, 12:04pm

how pathetic.......yawn

Hark


2

“Re: idiots!”
Posted by: bluejonny - Mar 31, 12:11pm

Any money it's the Daily Mail or Express


3

“Re: idiots!”
Posted by: Onehunglow - Mar 31, 12:20pm

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


4
 

“Re: idiots!”
Posted: Mar 31, 12:25pm

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


5
 

“Re: idiots!”
Posted by: Dan - Mar 31, 12:27pm

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!


6
 

“Re: idiots!”
Posted by: Dan G - Mar 31, 12:32pm

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'.


7
 

“Re: idiots!”
Posted by: Tom - Mar 31, 12:33pm

Pac-Man munching pills repetitive musiczzzzzzzz


8
 

“Re: idiots!”
Posted by: gazzara - Mar 31, 12:48pm

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.


9
 

“Re: idiots!”
Posted: Mar 31, 12:48pm

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.


10
 

“Re: idiots!”
Posted by: Ian - Mar 31, 12:50pm

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


11
 

“Re: idiots!”
Posted by: sabs - Mar 31, 1:12pm

I'm SO applying for this.


12
 

“Re: idiots!”
Posted: Mar 31, 1:15pm

agh it's a paysite. plan foiled!


13
 

“From the forums”
Posted by: Bruceongames - Mar 31, 1:39pm

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


14
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: Dylan Epp - Mar 31, 2:08pm

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


15
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted: Mar 31, 2:25pm

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


16
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: Schmooo - Mar 31, 2:32pm

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


17
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: Brett Stocks - Mar 31, 2:32pm

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.


18
 

“Re: newspapers”
Posted by: sabs - Mar 31, 3:22pm

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

Lies and uneducated opinion pieces, nothing new there!


19
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: Tim - Mar 31, 3:24pm

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


20
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: Phil Da Greek - Mar 31, 4:01pm

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.


21
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: marcjab - Mar 31, 4:38pm

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.....


22
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: Lord Billingsworth - Mar 31, 4:44pm

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.


23
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: cash for chumps - Mar 31, 5:06pm

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???


24
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: Damian - Mar 31, 5:20pm

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


25
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: bob - Mar 31, 5:23pm

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


26
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: Jimmy - Mar 31, 5:26pm

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...


27
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: JD - Mar 31, 5:33pm

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…


28

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: Jimothy - Mar 31, 5:34pm

Oh dear..

What is up with these newpapers.


29
 

“Re: From the forums”
Posted by: bliblix - Mar 31, 7:03pm

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


30
 

“Joking aside.”
Posted by: Steve O'Brien - Mar 31, 7:28pm

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.


31
 

“Confession”
Posted by: Guru Larry - Xleague - Mar 31, 8:44pm

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!!! ^_^


32
 

“Re: Confession”
Posted by: AnxietyMan - Apr 1, 12:11am

'Jimmy' stole a Marcus Bridgstocke joke. Weak.


33
 

“Re: Confession”
Posted by: bleg - Apr 1, 7:16am

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


34
 

“Re: Confession”
Posted by: Brett Stocks - Apr 1, 8:50am

@ 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...


35
 

“Good world gone bad!”
Posted by: Dan - Apr 1, 9:37am

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....


36
 

“Re: Good world gone bad!”
Posted by: Firen - Apr 1, 10:39am

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


37
 

“Re: Good world gone bad!”
Posted by: Mr. X - Apr 1, 1:25pm

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.


38
 

“Re: Good world gone bad!”
Posted by: James - Apr 2, 4:01pm

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


39
 

“Re: Good world gone bad!”
Posted by: Tim Ingham - Apr 9, 10:40am

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


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