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Teachers call for ban of Rockstar's Bully reissue

The Sims 3 Information Coming March 19
The next real entry into the insanely popular Sims franchise is officially on its way. EA has just launched an official page with only teaser art, specifying that more information will be available on March 19. Clearly, EA intends on expanding upon one of its most successful franchises, which has been translated into 22 languages and sold more than 70 million copies around the world.

Zack and Wiki for Wii Flash Demo
The wonderfully crafted but abysmally-selling Zack and Wiki now has one other way to convince those curious about the game of its virtues. As seen on Joystiq, click the “Gameplay” tab on Nintendo Europe’s Zack and Wiki page to play a demo level. Flash demos may be a new trend at Capcom, who also released such a demo for Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney.

Disney Crafting Music Rhythm Game Copycat
Announced in late February, Disney Interactive Studios revealed Ultimate Band for the Nintendo Wii and DS. Ultimate Band will allow players to rock out on guitar, bass, drums or as the front man, but unlike Guitar Hero or Rock Band, there will be no instrument peripherals. Instead, music control will be done with the Wii controllers and DS stylus. Furthermore, the music will include more than just Disney tunes, though just what other type of music is still a mystery. Ultimate Band ships this holiday.

Ziff Davis Files for Chapter 11
Publisher Ziff Davis filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today in the Southern District Court of New York today as part of a debt restructuring plan, according to Folio. Ziff Davis publishes various magazines such as Electronic Gaming Monthly and Games for Windows Magazine, and also the website 1UP.com.

Bully Reissue on Xbox 360 Has Many Issues
Bully, originally released on the PlayStation 2, is given new life on the Xbox 360 and Wii thanks to the new Scholarship Edition version. Sadly, some users who picked up the new game this week are experiencing serious issues ranging from audio glitches to complete lockups. Rockstar’s Sam Houser issued a response saying that he was “horrified” at how these glitches got past QA, and that the developer is now working around the clock to rectify the situation.

Teachers Demanding Ban on Bully
Bully isn’t only bothering Xbox 360 gamers, but also school teachers from the United States, Canada, Britain, South Korea, Australia and the Caribbean – whom are requesting a ban of the game. Emily Noble, president of the Canadian Teachers' Federation, said yesterday to the Globe and Mail, "What it does is it encourages kids to target other kids, to be a bully with other kids. This doesn't help us as teachers in the work that we're doing at school. It also targets teachers at the school as well."

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By psychobriggsy on 3/6/2008 9:35:19 AM , Rating: 4
Those teachers do realise that the game isn't about the player being the bully, right? The game rightfully has won many accolades.




By TomZ on 3/6/2008 9:51:14 AM , Rating: 5
I seriously doubt many teachers have played the game and have any real understanding of it. Most likely they are "judging the book by its cover."


By mmntech on 3/6/2008 10:28:18 AM , Rating: 2
I've never played the game and I know it's not what they're making it out to be. It's a social simulator, not a school shooting game. Ironically, the game actually awards you for attending class. Typical overreaction from a bunch of sissy teachers trying to be PC. They want to blame all the trouble in the class room on a convenient scapegoat (video games) despite the real cause being a lack of discipline both at home and at school.


By christojojo on 3/6/2008 2:31:13 PM , Rating: 5
As a teacher, I can guarantee you most of my fellow teachers...

1 will not play it,
2 will not do research about it,

but

3 will complain about it in the gossip uhm I mean faculty room.

Unfortunately, most are stuck in the middle of the every child must be left behind testing with little focus on anything else these days (besides gossip that is).

As for a lack of discipline, that depends what school your in.


By murphyslabrat on 3/6/2008 6:43:22 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
As for a lack of discipline, that depends what school your in.

Apparently you aren't an English teacher, as that should be "you're."

Otherwise; sing it, brother/sister!


By christojojo on 3/6/2008 7:34:25 PM , Rating: 2
I did my corrections three times teacher.

you're you're you're

BTW: Science and GED


By DEVGRU on 3/6/2008 10:28:00 AM , Rating: 3
Expected asinine comment from Jack Thompson in: 3...2...1...


By Scabies on 3/6/2008 11:11:27 AM , Rating: 2
Something about him I never understood... If violent games make kids violent, why is there no public decry of racing games teaching kids to drive recklessly? Or games like whatever Jack Thompson played as a kid (plays now?) that make him a self righteous moron on a powertrip?

I didnt develop malice towards animals by playing lemmings, I dont torture those I have influence over like I did in Black and White, and in spite of growing up on Test Drive, Stunts, and Need for Speed, I have a zero ticket / zero accident record.

There are some people that will adopt what is portrayed in the media, and some who wont. I blame parents :P


By dubldwn on 3/6/2008 11:19:51 AM , Rating: 3
You used the word "avoid", or a variation thereof, five times. What is clearly being discussed here is "ban". Movie critics, teachers, and anyone else are more than welcome to give their recommendations - recommendations I should be free to ignore.


By dubldwn on 3/6/2008 11:24:46 AM , Rating: 2
Ugh…should be reply to BPB…


By Visual on 3/6/2008 1:25:21 PM , Rating: 3
if games really affected our behavior, we all would be running around darkened rooms munching strange pills and listening to repetitive music..

after all, who here has not played pack-man?


By oTAL on 3/7/2008 12:12:38 PM , Rating: 2
Ever heard of the underground European scene, trance music and ecstasy?
If you go to a rave in an abandoned warehouse it'll look like what you just described.

(Obviously it's a coincidence, but a fact nonetheless.)


By deeznuts on 3/6/2008 1:22:44 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Those teachers do realise that the game isn't about the player being the bully, right? The game rightfully has won many accolades.
I've never played the game, but in the article it describes the game, and a Rockstar spokesman doesn't even deny what the teacher association says. It's a good article if you haven't read it with a good counterpoint below (It would be terribly ironic too, if someone criticizes the teacher for not playing the game, but then never clicked through and read the article).

Judging from reviews it appears this dude does have to be a bit of a bully himself, even though he's trying to end bullying or something. I'll stop there, I've never played the game.


Teacher demanding ban
By nvalhalla on 3/6/2008 9:45:37 AM , Rating: 2
What are they requesting it be banned from? Existence? Are the educators of the "free world" requesting government censorship?

I'd like to know which teachers are for this, I'll make sure they don't teach my son.




RE: Teacher demanding ban
By Polynikes on 3/6/2008 10:06:49 AM , Rating: 2
Gotta love it how people are so willing to throw away freedom.


RE: Teacher demanding ban
By BPB on 3/6/2008 11:05:18 AM , Rating: 1
And this is throwing away freedom how? The maker remains free to make the game, and others remain free to voice their opinion and say it should be avoided. Are you saying we should throw away people's right to say "avoid this", and other's right to listen to them? If so, then I agree, people do seem willing to throw away freedom. Seems to me it's market forces at work. If the makers convince enough folks its good fun, then they make money. If others convince folks its to be avoided, then it loses money. Isn't that how its supposed to work? It's not that much different from a game reviewer saying the game stinks and money would be much better spent elsewhere. The game reviewer is talking about the game from a playing point of view, which is obviously valid. But the teachers have a valid point of view as well, even if they are wrong in their conclusion. If a movie critic says a movie stinks, isn't worth the money, and should be avoided, would those who avoid it be throwing away their freedom? That actually happens all the time. A movie gets released to big fanfare, the movie critics en masse pan it, and the movie does lousy business. Or social critics pan it en masse, and it tanks as well.

Maybe I'm reading you wrong, but it seems to me you're saying the teachers should throw away their right to voice their opinion on this.

By the way, I have no interest in the game and know nothing about it. Couldn't care less about it.


RE: Teacher demanding ban
By Scabies on 3/6/2008 11:18:38 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Maybe I'm reading you wrong, but it seems to me you're saying the teachers should throw away their right to voice their opinion on this.


Its possible you are reading the article wrong

quote:
Teachers Demanding Ban on Bully


Whats happening is the teachers are throwing away the right of others to voice their opinion. Or keeping the opinion from developing by removing the game from store shelves entirely. While I have no intention of playing the game and think it may be a waste of time, I would never try and keep others from playing it.


RE: Teacher demanding ban
By walk2k on 3/6/2008 12:42:35 PM , Rating: 2
see... you have to keep reading past the headline.

quote:
"A coalition of groups representing four million teachers in several countries, including Canada, is urging retailers to refuse to sell a controversial video game about school bullying."


the newspaper editor (whatever) is the only one using the word "BAN".


RE: Teacher demanding ban
By saiga6360 on 3/6/2008 1:04:33 PM , Rating: 2
And how is that any different from a call to ban? Is it because they are asking pretty please with a sugar on top? If they are successful it has THE SAME EFFECT.


RE: Teacher demanding ban
By BPB on 3/6/2008 3:12:35 PM , Rating: 2
I was refering to the post prior to mine (Polynikes), not the article.


RE: Teacher demanding ban
By saiga6360 on 3/6/2008 11:45:28 AM , Rating: 2
Are you seriously equating teachers calling for a ban of the game to a reviewer panning the game?

Epic fail.


RE: Teacher demanding ban
By christojojo on 3/6/2008 2:37:28 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
teachers calling for a ban of the game to a reviewer panning the game


Which would have a more positive outcome for the developer?

Which one would probably hurt its bottom line?

"One" voice vs. four million, Ironic isn't it?


RE: Teacher demanding ban
By walk2k on 3/6/2008 12:38:40 PM , Rating: 2
RTFA

they are asking retailers in canada not to sell it.


Zak & Wiki
By frombauer on 3/6/2008 11:00:28 AM , Rating: 2
It's sad that a good game is selling so badly. Mainly prejudice for a game with "childish" graphics. Reminds me of Klonoa for the PS2, a stellar game that was hurt for its "cuteness".




RE: Zak & Wiki
By BrownJohn on 3/6/2008 4:59:15 PM , Rating: 2
this has been happening for ages. Remember Ico for PS2? If not, that just emphasizes my point.


"Mac OS X is like living in a farmhouse in the country with no locks, and Windows is living in a house with bars on the windows in the bad part of town." -- Charlie Miller

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