DIGITISER
  • MAIN PAGE
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Game Reviews
  • FAQ

PANEL 4 - GTAV: Who Are We Kidding? by Mr Biffo

5/12/2014

45 Comments

 
Picture
So, Australia has a problem with Grand Theft Auto V. The country's Kmart and Target stores (both owned by the same retail group) have pulled the game from their shelves, following a 40,000+ signature petition started by a group of women who describe themselves as survivors of sexual violence.

Disappointingly, the usually excellent Kotaku has trailed the story with the headline "Another Stupid Australian Retailer Has Pulled GTA". Additionally, a counter-petition has been launched, and already has upwards of 14,000 signatures: "A game made for adults is being taken off the shelves by Target following a petition started by a bunch of misinformed feminists who inaccurately alleged that the game encourages violence against women."

Is it inaccurate, misinformed and stupid, though? And is the word 'feminist' being used there almost as a dismissive epithet? Is it just me who reads that as being written with a sneer?

Sorry, but let's not pretend for a moment that GTA doesn't at the very least encourage virtual violence against virtual women. Yes, we can all quote the studies that violence in games doesn't correlate to violence in real life, but that seems like a dodgy argument at the minute, when so many women in the games industry are being targeted with death and rape threats. A threat is still a form of violence, and misogyny seems rife among a certain sector of the gaming audience.

Picture
THE VIRTUAL REALITY

People complaining about this are basically complaining about losing their right to pretend they're having pretend sex with dull-eyed, female avatars before pretending to kill them. Shouldn't that make us all feel a bit uncomfortable?

Sure, in GTAV you don’t have to visit the strip clubs or beat up the prostitutes, or attack random women in the street with your guns and baseball bats, but the sheer fact that you can (and many probably do) is what's causing the issue here. 

Rockstar has facilitated that by putting it in their games; it's not a bug. It was a conscious decision by the game's designers to give their players the option of behaving in that way. If you go to Homebase and do a poo in one of their display baths, don't act all affronted when you get into trouble.

While it’s arguable that all the characters in GTAV are equally appalling - male and female alike - the three controllable characters ARE male. There is no alternative viewpoint, and the game features an undeniable correlation between sex and violence - simply because it is allowed, as per the boundaries laid down by the game.

Yes, there are films that feature sexual violence and misogyny, but playing an interactive, open world experience like GTA isn't the same as watching a film, where the message and theme is being given to you. What happens in GTAV, for a large part, is down to the player, and how messed up he (and  I think we can assume it's a he) is. 

Picture
THE REALITY

The reality is this: Grand Theft Auto V – indeed, all the GTA games – has gotten away with it, because it’s so damn good. Frankly, as a video game it’s virtually peerless. It’s wittier, better looking, better playing, better acted, and just all-round better value for money than pretty much anything else out there. It IS a brilliant game. 

At first, nobody wanted to believe that Rolf Harris was a paedophile, and America has turned a blind eye for years to allegations against Bill Cosby. Similarly, we seemingly don't want to accept that this  work of utter creative genius might be peddling something more unsavoury, so people fight to defend it. If we - particularly as men - enjoy it, does that make us complicit?

Let's not pretend you're on anything less than dodgy ground if you're complaining about GTAV being taken off the shelves, due to a petition by women who have suffered sexual violence. Whining that "The game features lots of violence against men too" - as the people behind the counter-petition do - is like terrible white racists who complain about Black History Month. “Why isn’t there a White History Month?” they harrumph with their terrible racist mouths. 

Well, probably because white people spent a huge chunk of history subjugating black people, and – broadly speaking – rule the world. You don't know how it feels to be a black person any more than you know what it's like to be a woman who has suffered sexual violence, so - frankly - shut-up, and don't be surprised if the sexually violent video game you so love comes in for some stick. 

FIRST-PERSON POV

If that's your position, you don't have an argument, and you can't possibly see the point of view of someone who's suffered something like that. Unless we've been through it, we can't possibly understand how the existence of a game like GTAV affects someone who has suffered an act as profoundly life-destroying as rape. But I can certainly see it making them feel less safe, or in some way condoning the actions of their abusers. Dismissing that as "stupid" is at best insensitive. 

Rockstar doesn't have to make the game the way they do - surely there are ways around it - but that's the series now, and that's what's expected. Whether it should be available for sale at all is a different debate. This is about something sorely lacking in the games industry these days: empathy.

Maybe Kmart and Target are trying to protect their bottom line by removing GTAV from their shelves, but - given that it's one of the biggest-selling games of all time - possibly not. Could it be that they actually did something unexpected in business, and considered the feelings of real people? 

If so, I doff my cap to them, and promise that if I ever visit Australia I shall make a point of not pooing in their shop. 

45 Comments
Don't Judge Me By My Name
5/12/2014 05:03:32 am

>Complains about 3 male characters
>Says the game will mostly be played by males
Seriously, are you now going to complain how most lead characters in certain movie genres are male? No.

How can you publish an article about a product without even using the product? Is it misinformed? Yes, yes it is. Sure, violence is a big feature in this game; but no different to the majority of video games out on the market today. Where is your article condemning those products as well? Sexual intercourse, if I remember correctly, does not feature in the story line at all. There are cut-scenes in strip clubs, akin to The Sopranos TV series (Let's ban that also, because why not?). Prostitutes is a feature of the game that is 110% optional, and a feature that you rarely see used.

Please, in future, do your research before posting an article based on a handful of assumptions.

Reply
Dumdum
5/12/2014 05:52:57 am

> are you now going to complain how most lead characters in certain movie genres are ale male?

If Digitiser were a movie blog, perhaps they would. It's also a fallacy to suggest that an opinion on this specific game is not allowed unless you go through every medium and every product within that medium and criticize them individually and specifically. If a movie had a 'bonus content' on the disc where you could watch the main character murder a prostitute, adding nothing to the actual movie plot, you can bet there would be complains about that too.

> ...without even using the product

Seemed pretty clear to me that Biffo has plenty experience with the GTA franchise!

> Prostitutes is a feature of the game that is 110% option, and a feature you rarely see used.

So why have this feature? What kind of person finds value in this feature? Perhaps more importantly, why do they find value in it? Just because something is option does not make it any less repugnant, nor immune from criticism. The developers made the choice to add this feature, they have to be open to feedback about it, whether it be criticism or praise. Just as you and I are posting replies in this open forum, we have to be open to the fact our choice leaves us open to comment from others who agree with or disagree with our views.

Much like Biffo I love the GTA franchise, and have done since I first for Grand theft auto on my PC when I were a nipper. I can honestly say I have never used any of the stripper or prostitute related content, because why the heck would I? It's pointless, repugnant, and adds nothing good to (and, in fact, for people like myself it actually detracts from my enjoyment of) an otherwise great series of games.

Reply
Mr Biffo
5/12/2014 05:12:11 am

Um... I played GTA V on the 360.

Reply
Doctor Stranger
5/12/2014 05:27:59 am

This is an EXCELLENT article and I'm glad someone had the balls to say it. I love GTAV but it is uncomfortably misogynistic at times. I don't understand in 2014 why there is no female perspective in GTA games. It makes no sense. I don't agree with pulling the game but I agree with the sentiments in the article. Three different characters and nobody thought a female option would be a good idea? It's irritating mainly from a storytelling perspective. Rockstar and gamers are missing out from
exploring a female perspective in their world.

Reply
Mr Biffo
5/12/2014 05:33:06 am

Cheers, Doctor S. The thing is... the game has only been pulled from those shops, not from sale altogether. There has been no censorship per se. It's just that retailer has decided it isn't for them.

And I don't want it to disappear - I LOVE the GTA series, even though I don't feel comfortable about loving it. I think most normal, balanced people who have played a GTA game turn a blind eye to the more misogynistic aspects (and, let's be honest, there's more than a sprinkling of homophobia in there too).

Reply
Required
18/12/2014 07:42:00 pm

Or an asian character for that matter, or a native american, or a character with a Norse ethnic background! 2014 and nobody thought these would be good ideas?

There is room for 3 main characters ffs, they're mostly aimed at a 'storytelling perspective' with a view at their target audience. Get a grip.

Reply
Ydrah N. Trauts
5/12/2014 06:49:51 am

Glad to hear it's not just me that feels a bit uneasy playing GTA sometimes. Haven't played V yet (waiting for PC in January) but based on previous entries in the franchise I'd say with the likes of strippers, prostitutes etc. Rockstar are just pandering to their target audience which WOULD contain a large number of mysogynistic, homophobic,14 year old little turds. And perhaps there's a certain amount of publicity seeking going on by leaving these pointless features in... more Daily Mail headlines = profit?

Empathy is definitely lacking in the industry, to be honest if I was in charge of Rockstar and didn't care about money (the current CEO must currently be reclining on a golden throne anyway) the only protagonists of GTA VI would be a woman and a gay man. Then I'd just sit back and cackle like a lunatic as the kids were forced to choose between them in order to play an amazing game.

Reply
Mr Biffo
5/12/2014 07:18:17 am

That's part of the trouble, really - I've lost track of the number of teenage, sub-18, year-old boys who I've heard of playing GTA. And the fact is, it's not a passive experience, in the way that watching a movie is.

Reply
Required
18/12/2014 07:45:51 pm

I find that extremely offensive; having a game with no white heterosexual male character? If that were to happen I'm afraid I'd have to go on my blog and complain to a minority of people who knit-pick at every apparent 'injustice' they can find in the world.

Absolutely disgraceful.

Reply
Monsieur Milk
5/12/2014 07:46:39 am

I'm in Australia, and I find it hilarious that one of the first counter petitions to this was a petition to ban the bible in Target stores. In the petition's words,

"Books like this are grooming yet another generation of boys to tolerate violence against women. It is fuelling the epidemic of violence experienced by so many girls and women in Australia - and globally."

Any company can ban what they will, regardless of content, they are free to court what customer they will. We all know the black, white, and gray areas that GTA brings to the table. This issue here for me is displayed in a loose veneer of values.

Kmart said "Kmart apologizes for not being closer to the content of this game."

As if their moral compass has finally sighted to true north, yet their continued stocking of other other question materiel hints to me of a similar reaction as to what Intel did by pulling advertising from Gamasutra. Courting and bowing to pressure of a dedicated community to stay ahead of a bad publicly curve than actually caring about their customers values.

My issue is distant from in my opinion, the unquestionable lengths vidja games can, and should come when trying to be more inclusive to all parts of the community, be that different races, genders, etc...
But this touches on a wider problem with large multi national companies, that will get lost by misogynists who will direct the discussion instantaneously to incoherent hate babbling and ranting.

"HERP DE DERP, DAMN THESE WOMANZ AND THEIR FEELINGS I PAY MY TAXES SO I CAN PLAY THE GAMES I WAN'T WITH OUT HAVING TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH THEM. IT'S GRAND THEFT AUTO, NOT GRAND FEELINGS ALSO."

Reply
Dacanesta
5/12/2014 07:57:18 am

Oooh Lordy this is a tough one. Violence against women is repugnant, and so it's understandable if those affected by it in real life complain. But.....let's say the widow if a police officer complains.......violence against the police. A victim of a carjacking even. There no game left! So now it's just 'should there be a gta series, however great, at all?'. Some might say 'but killing the cops is necessary for mission progress, but the women doesn't need to be there!'. Well, that's truly one messed up sentence right there! It's ok if it's part of the mission! Where the chuff do you stop with gta?!?
Also.....and I'm crap at explaining this.....but I'm gonna compare this to South Park and my mother. Now, when there is a poo joke for example in SP, and my mum scoffs, I explain: they don't REALLY think poo is funny. It's the over-the-top-ness.....we are laughing that we are laughing! Hmmm....,told you I can't explain. Anyway, I don't think it's made by people who laugh beavis and butthead style at what the produce......it's tongue in cheek! Is that the expression?! It's the excess....almost cartoon like?!!! Or maybe I'm just making excuses. Like alcohol, it's as bad as the person using it. No...no I've lost myself now. No there I am......next to the puffy crayons!

Reply
Picston Shottle
5/12/2014 08:42:52 am

I would be behind the ban if Kmart and Target had implemented it before the game was released. Don't take the moral high ground when a petition has gained some traction and it's pretty obvious your change of heart is nothing more than a marketing opportunity (seriously, how much is not stocking GTA V going to hurt their bottom line?).

The content of GTA V is nothing new - the content of the whole GTA series has been pretty much the same for over a decade , so trying to claim it has crept up on you all of a sudden due to inattention doesn't wash; you'd have to have been in a coma to have missed controversy after controversy, year after year.

The game is awesome and the game would still be awesome without the homophobia and misogyny. Inadvertently, I think Kmart/Target's marketing dept have, in their dishonest way (and coming hot on the heels of GamerGate) forced the gaming community to take a good look at what is and isn't acceptable in a video game. Rockstar has to take note.

Reply
snapsy
5/12/2014 11:01:52 am

I've only ever read about the GTA games, usually reviews - but there have been a few articles where they have had input from the developer which I have found interesting, from this admittedly limited amount of info I have come to the conclusion that A) this game and games of this ilk, do not appeal to me in anyway, because they always read as unremittingly bleak in outlook and B) the series has always been a sort of parody and pushed the limits of taste, which actually I kind of admire.

however - not sure the kids that are playing it (and Rockstar knows kids play it) will get the parody or see that taste is being pushed because they have no frame of reference, they will take the 'naughty' at face value.

also you are right - if it were a film no one would watch it.

this banning things happens all the time, in the long run it won't hurt sales. however if I were a developer working on the game I would feel really uncomfortable with creating this type of content knowing full well that kids (a lot of them) will play it and take the nonsense seriously.

Reply
Ad Massive
5/12/2014 12:45:33 pm

Okay Mr Biffo. To continue, I feel that the article makes a valid point about no female protagonists, however the violence against women is just a side effect of women being portrayed in the game. No one actually forces your hand to do that, and saying violence against them is more vulgar than against men is in itself an act of misogyny.

I also feel like the fact you're able to do so is a stark portrayal of the chaotic world in which the GTA's conjure. For instance seeing a friend have sex with a prostitute in GTA then killing her, or just going around killing women specifically would make me ask him what the hell he's doing.

If you're going to portray an open world that's chaotic I think it would be quite disgusting to exclude women in it. Hence why I feel a female protagonist would be a great feature. But to act like the game is misogynistic when it merely provides you with a tool set is to miss the point entirely.

Reply
Mr Biffo
5/12/2014 01:25:33 pm

Thanks, all for the input. It's obviously a can of worms, but - and I'm looking at you specifically here, Ad Massive - I don't entirely get the point you're making.

I'm sorry you don't agree with me - and that's absolutely fine - but there are female characters in other games, and you don't have the option to treat them like sex objects, before killing them. Clearly, the fact that you can in GTA, sets it apart from almost all other games.

But taking objection to that aspect of the game wasn't really the point of the article. I was saying that I - me, personally - am uncomfortable with the game. If others don't have an issue with it... then good for them. I wish stuff like that didn't bother me so much either.

But I'm a father of three girls, my partner also has three daughters, I know people close to me who've been on the receiving end of the worst sort of sexual violence, and I can't in all conscience play that game without questioning whether I'm complicit in perpetuating a damaging portrayal of women. And that's because I want to protect the people I care about.

Violence against anyone is obviously repugnant, but when it comes to sexual violence, women are more far, far more vulnerable than men - that's a simple fact. Plus, the games industry is, currently, in the middle of an almighty shitstorm regarding its treatment of women, and it's impossible for me not to question whether a game like GTA V is passively promoting a misogynistic agenda.

Again, I'm sorry you don't agree with me, but you can't deny that the depiction of women and men in the game IS completely different, because you're playing as male characters. The balance of power there is utterly skewed.

Plus - the real point I was making - is that the people who are objecting to the game here are women who have been on the receiving end of sexual violence. Not a bunch of underworld criminals who object to it because it reminds them of that time they were shot at during a bank raid, and they think it should be removed from sale in case it encourages more people to shoot at them during bank raids.

All I'm asking is that people have empathy with those women before shooting them down as a bunch of shrieking, femextremist, harpies, just because they don't want their favourite game to be threatened.

Reply
Jeremy Clarksons hair
5/12/2014 01:11:57 pm

I stopped liking gta with number 3, its not funny anymore, the graphics are getting too good and its style less cartoon like, it is just plan nasty, and misogynistic, does the fact its meant to be a joke, a parody of Hollywood give it the right to do what it does without complaint, I think not, with the amount of disgusting misogynistic language coming from gamers and the level of hate aimed at women in the industry its clear that if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem and no amount of finger pointing at others like a child saying but they are doing it too, nor claims its all just a light hearted joke will excuse your part in this mess.

I am sick to death of games featuring brothels and strip clubs on every corner yet not a single corner shop or coffee emporium where is the realism? Enough of treating women as nothing but disposable sex objects, games are getting worse and worse even the mighty samus who was once the gaming version of Ripley has been converted into a weak cry baby in a skintight catsuit with massive heels and ever increasing bust size. I have been gaming for over 30 years and I am female, bout time the games industry grew up, at the last count the average age of a gamer is 26.

Reply
Jeremy Clarksons hair
5/12/2014 01:28:56 pm

It isn't even about the killing, you can kill men too, you can kill everything that moves in many games, its the attitude it portrays, the language used, the entirely vacuous nature of female npcs compared to males, you are not really ment to judge the men there really isn't anything there to form an opinion on, you are meant to form a view of the women though and that view is derogatory they are sluts or annoying airheads or a mixture of the two.

Reply
Mr Biffo
5/12/2014 01:30:58 pm

What she said.

Reply
Ad Massive
5/12/2014 02:03:44 pm

Basically, I just made a huge post but it vanished into the ether. So in brief, I'm also a father to 2 girls and so I don't see why you'd mention that as validation for your argument.

2.I agree that that game overly sexualises women and is insensitive to them, which is misogynistic.

3. I don't however agree that it promotes violence against women... I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion... because you can = promoted or is there much more to it that I've missed? (possible)

Reply
Mr Biffo
5/12/2014 02:39:20 pm

It's a shame your original post vanished, as I got it on email, and think it made some quite balanced points. But... I still think you're missing my point, and I apologise if I'm missing yours.

I was basically saying, in perhaps too a roundabout way, that clearly there are people - primarily women (and in this specific instance, a group of women who have experienced sexual violence first-hand) - for whom GTA's depiction of females is a problem.

And that the likes of you and I - men who (I'm assuming) haven't experienced sexual violence first-hand - can't ever really know how a game like GTA V impacts upon them. I'm no expert, but I have seen the damage it can do to a person.

The existence of the counter-petition and the Kotaku headline calling Walmart's decision "stupid" were the starting point to explore that. I felt both were lacking in any consideration for the perspective of the people who started the initial petition (whether or not they were "right" in the first place isn't really the issue here).

Again, at the risk of repeating myself, the article was trying to be about having empathy for another person's POV, and not dismissing it out of hand - not about whether or not GTA V promotes violence against women.

If someone who has been sexually assaulted perceives the game as being such - as a result of their own experiences - surely that's something, as a fellow human being, which is worth thinking about?

Reply
Jeremy Clarksons hair
5/12/2014 02:14:13 pm

An you really not see how using narrative that paints women as sluts and/or stupid is promoting a lack of humanity towards them that the men do not suffer from?

by doing so such games are trivialising them giving you reasons to dislike them and judge them maybe subsequently giving justification for killing them in game were as the men don't suffer such judgement or nudging into a certain point of view before you decide to run them over, such stereotypes then spill over into other media and ultimately social attitudes

Reply
Ad Massive
5/12/2014 02:23:02 pm

No I see that as being part of a story, in which the men are portrayed as insensitive, mass murdering, psychopaths, I mean if we're going to split hairs I think you're not noticing the fact that men are treated far more harshly in this tale than the women, noone is portrayed in a positive light.

So I don't see how that is promoting violence, let alone sexual violence against women.

Reply
Jeremy clarksons hair
5/12/2014 02:33:27 pm

But that also describes the character you play, the one in control, so the game promotes heartless selfishness as a winning trait and those stupid sluts as below you, for they are sluts and less intelligent then you, thus inferior. Much of the time compassion is seen as a weakness, the games promote heartless selfishness and subjugation of those shown to be weak by the narrative, imo that attitude rubs off on people.

Reply
Ad Massive
5/12/2014 02:37:10 pm

I disagree, the game is in fact condemning these actions, if you're smart enough to read between the lines, I mean look at the language you're using to describe the women in the game? The problem lies more within your opinion of what women should act like than it does with the women portrayed in the game.

Do you think the men in the game are portrayed as geniuses? Do you think they are portrayed as good men? When the game lays down flat five minutes in that you are indeed a murdering criminal.

Also how is being promiscuous in line with stupidity?

Reply
Jeremy Clarksons hair
5/12/2014 02:40:49 pm

Tell that to all the Wannabe gangster kids. And you know full well that throughout the ages promiscuity has been seen as a negative trait in women but a positive for men.

Reply
Ad Massive
5/12/2014 02:52:02 pm

I agree with that then Mr Biffo. Empathy is something which we should all have for one another, it just worries me that we're treading a very fine line with artistic independence and portrayal that people can't see a story as being a story because it's a game.

You CAN kill women in GTA, you can also kill them in Skyrim, or Mass Effect, I actually think in a weird way it's becoming more equal in that regard as they're being viewed as worthy adversaries.

What I object to is when women are just portrayed as being sex objects and nothing more, I think unfortunately GTA falters here, it tries and it is satire which means I have to take it with a pinch of salt and some interpretation, but I feel they could be portrayed much better, and that doesn't mean they can't be sexy, or promiscuous, but have an even keel... There should be strong women who are gorgeous, and intelligent, some promiscuous women who aren't attractive as well as are... some women that don't give a crap about sex at all because they're too busy being badasses.

So I now see where the gist of the article comes from and see that I missed the crucial point, which is the counter petition basically being a fan boy response to what could genuinely be something that has a detrimental effect to people.

Whether I disagree with their point is kind of irrelevant to the fact that they may still have a problem with it.

Reply
Mr Biffo
5/12/2014 02:56:01 pm

There we go - at the end of the day empathy always wins. It is THE Ultimate Weapon.

Reply
Ad Massive
5/12/2014 03:05:39 pm

Agreed, sorry I missed the point I just felt strongly about addressing the fact that I don't think it promotes violence against women.

Glad we reached an agreement, can I also add it's a damn pleasure to have you back doing your thing whether I always agree or not, your Edge column and Digitiser were missed by me a great deal.

Reply
Mr Biffo
5/12/2014 03:06:54 pm

Cheers, feller. thanks for reading.

Reply
Dagenham Swish
5/12/2014 04:21:49 pm

Great piece Mr Biffo, and so well debated in the underbox. Makes a real change to a number of comments sections on video games.

May I also add that it's great to see Digitiser back. Been thoroughly enjoying it. I read you every day.

Reply
Mr Biffo
6/12/2014 01:18:15 am

Ta, Dag. Much appreciated.

Reply
jeremy clarksons hair
6/12/2014 12:14:24 am

I third the sentiment, loved digi back in the day, never bought edge tho, too rich for my gutter blood. I have been cussing people bad and mock mock a mocking ever since, even tried to revive the feeling somewhat with a FB page that hardly anyone uses, its good to see the old magic back, if only my keyboard had a reveal button. Keep up the good work sir.

Reply
Mr Biffo
6/12/2014 01:17:53 am

Thanks, JCH. We're working on the reveal button.

Reply
Mentski link
6/12/2014 02:41:07 am

I hope we can all agree the only right course of action for the GTA series is to add a female protagonist and male prossies/strippers, so that we have total freedom to boink and kill, be you straight, gay, male or female. without anybody getting left out.

Right?

Reply
Mr Biffo
6/12/2014 03:09:47 am

Fair play, Mentuss.

Reply
Nadadoll
2/6/2015 03:29:04 pm

Yeah, this is why Bully [aka Canis Canem Edit in the UK] is the superior product, to my mind. Plus the theme that plays when you get on your bike. <3

Reply
AlmightyCasual link
6/12/2014 08:31:36 am

I'm unsure if strippers are empowered or manipulated, I'd like someone to tell me.

Anyway, how about that GTAV feature wherein you can casually and repeatedly assault a stripper without her consent...but only when that pesky bouncer is looking the other way!

It fills up a little bar, and once you've diminished her enough and relentlessly threatened her employment status, she'll throw caution to the wind and beg you to have sex with her! What fun!

Who is that scenario aimed at? And how is it allowed to fall into the hands of children? What is the message from the developers here?

I don't want to be all BAN THIS SICK FILTH, but some stuff...there really is no need.

And don't give me that 'art' crap.

Reply
Mr Biffo
6/12/2014 08:42:34 am

Yup. It's stuff like that which, sadly, makes a mockery of any attempt at passing the game off as a social satire. It's just blatant titillation. So to speak.

Reply
ChorltonWheelie
11/12/2014 12:23:54 pm

I once did a massive poo in a Homebase (Altrincham). Somebody tried to buy it for their conservatory.

Reply
Mr Biffo
15/12/2014 01:43:28 pm

That was me.

Reply
Betty Biscuits
14/12/2014 07:58:11 pm

Great article Biffo, just one slight nitpick; you say it's probably safe to say most people playing (and I'm assuming you also mean playing in that specific way) are male. Take it from me, I know a good few women who thoroughly enjoy playing it like that.

Reply
Mr Biffo
15/12/2014 01:43:09 pm

Oh, I'm sure they are. Now I feel even more like a prude.

Reply
Mr Leggings
17/12/2014 09:56:58 am

I have to say even though I know quite a few girls who play games, probably as many as I do guys (counting people I know in real life not internet weirdos), I don't know any girls that like GTA.
I am sure there are plenty of female games I don't know and I can't speak for them, but I know for sure there are plenty who just don't feel welcome in Liberty City or Los Santos because they are blatantly designed as playgrounds for hetero men.

Reply
Nadadoll
2/6/2015 03:40:52 pm

Your comment tantalises me by holding out the possibility that we could somehow discover the opinions of girls about GTA-- but then I am wracked with a deep melancholy when I remember why this is impossible. When I remember their vanishing. We asked all folk that we met which way the Girls had gone. Some said they had never seen them; and some said that they had seen them walking away west, and some said east, and others south. They passed down all the roads long ago, and the Red Bull ran close behind them and covered their footprints.

Or you could ask.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    This section will not be visible in live published website. Below are your current settings:


    Current Number Of Columns are = 2

    Expand Posts Area =

    Gap/Space Between Posts = 12px

    Blog Post Style = card

    Use of custom card colors instead of default colors = 1

    Blog Post Card Background Color = current color

    Blog Post Card Shadow Color = current color

    Blog Post Card Border Color = current color

    Publish the website and visit your blog page to see the results

    Picture
    Support Me on Ko-fi
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    RSS Feed Widget
    Picture

    Picture
    Tweets by @mrbiffo
    Picture
    Follow us on The Facebook

    Picture

    Archives

    December 2022
    May 2022
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014


    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • MAIN PAGE
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Game Reviews
  • FAQ