How Grand Theft Auto IV Threatens The Wii

Budo · 05-08-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoralMark

If movies/music/videogames have zero influence on people's behavior ... why do cigarette companies pay [well] to get their products used in movies?

They're not a stupid industry, and I doubt they'd throw away good money for something that has proven to have zero effect.

I'd sure bet they're convinced that it does make an impression of some kind ... and I guess I find it a difficult line to tell where these impressions are made on some things and not another.

By no means am I suggesting it's completely `monkey see, monkey do' .... but to say that modern media has no influence completely ignores the major commercial interests who use it every hour of every day to try to influence us.

Major network TV would not work if commercials didn't have some effect ... and if commercials affect our behavior, wouldn't other things using the same media have the possibility?

JMO.

Again, we're talking about normal, mentally stable adults. We're not talking about children seeing something on the television and then whining to their parents who eventually cave and buy it for them.

I have no doubt that commercials influence people to a very tiny degree, but that degree is no where close to the ballpark of, "I saw someone cut someone head off in a videogame, so it must be ok.", which is the context of what we're talking about here.

I don't know about you, but I always do my own research on the products I buy, because I've been alive long enough to know that what you are promised, isn't always what you get.

ChristmasWii · 05-08-2008, 07:49 PM

Oh dear, it's just a video game. It will certainly hinder the Nintendo hype, but honestly, Nintendo doesn't care, and as Nintendo fans, you shouldn't care. Nintendo will release Wii Fit and they'll be walking on water again.

CoralMark · 05-08-2008, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristmasWii

Oh dear, it's just a video game. It will certainly hinder the Nintendo hype, but honestly, Nintendo doesn't care, and as Nintendo fans, you shouldn't care. Nintendo will release Wii Fit and they'll be walking on water again.

Totally agree.

While I probably have sunk 10+ hours into Mario Kart, that's more my seriousness for my video habit - and can easily be lumped into 20-60 minute bouts vs. GTA where I would rather spend all night playing for a few hours.

Beyond all that, I think that I'm far from alone among Wii owners who wouldn't be buying this game even if it was available.

Nevermind over the life of the game, I'm guessing Wii Fit will equal or pass it's gross ... from my take, most folks really into GTA bought it during week 1 - where something like Wii Fit [among others] have large #'s coming in week after week, for more than the first year to get it. [Hasn't it sold in the millions in Japan already, and at $90/unit, doesn't take that many million sales to rival GTA's total gross intake].

----
Sideline #'s question on GTA sales .... what is the game priced at?
I saw figures of 6 million units sold, but $500 million in sales. Unless the price is upward of $80/game, I don't see how that # jives.

Spinty · 05-08-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tym synk

Unfortunately, I think you don't know what you're talking about. Give the kid a break -- for a 13 year old, he's wise beyond his years (more than likely thanks to good parenting).

Even though there isn't a lot of evidence to show for it (it's like trying to prove God exists), you're pretty ignorant if you think there isn't some kind of link between pop culture things like music and video games, and whether or not someone turns into a criminal. Sure, I'd be the ignorant one to suggest there is a direct correlation between the two, but it's pretty tough to argue that is has nothing to do with it. Listening to music that repeatedly sings (or raps or yells) across a message of hate and violence has to have an affect on the human brain, especially one that is still very much in development. Same goes for video games with violence using human animation and real life scenarios.

Like you and another poster have stated, you have played an older version of GTA and you're "just fine," having never committed a crime (yet). That's great. And I hope you're the majority. But for someone who gets a thrill out of playing a game like GTA for hours in a day, what says they wouldn't get a thrill out of actually stealing a car? Or stealing something from a store? Or beating up a neighbor?

Again, clearly there are MANY other factors that come into play, most notably the will of each individual. The vast majority of us can distinguish between what's right and wrong, but with 1% (yes, one out of every 100 people) incarcerated in this country, clearly, there is a population of people who can't.

Here here.

Wiiwii! · 05-08-2008, 09:23 PM

GTA won`t hurt it.

Wiiwii! · 05-08-2008, 09:24 PM

Halo 3 didn`t hurt Wii so GTA probably won`t.

thas · 05-08-2008, 11:53 PM

People, you should do your research. Nintendo does care that GTA is a hyped game on the other consoles, thats why they were quick to counter it. The result is that nintendo sold more than 600 000 wii consoles last week alone. I think nintendo was ready to fight the GTA hype.

umbct · 05-09-2008, 01:31 AM

if gta was on teh wii it would be shit e_e

Vokesy · 05-09-2008, 01:39 PM

i think xbox 360 version of gta4 only has the new content avalable for the future thats what i heard anyway

Andre · 05-09-2008, 04:11 PM

I read GTA IV did 500 million in the first week. That just surpassed the Wii. I got GTA IV and honestly I think it's just really overrated!!!!. I find myself playing Mario Kart way more. Wii Fit, indeed will be huge. Can't wait for it. Like the other dude said Wii Fit, will bring the WII back up too speed. But you must admit 500 million, in the first week is amazing.

LoganSix · 05-09-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andre

I read GTA IV did 500 million in the first week.

That's $500 million.
6 million units sold worldwide on two consoles.

The Wii sold 650 thousand units last week.
Mario Kart sold 1.5 million units worldwide last week on one console.

Wait until two weeks from now, we'll see how well GTA IV is still selling.

Happy · 05-09-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tym synk

Like you and another poster have stated, you have played an older version of GTA and you're "just fine," having never committed a crime (yet). That's great. And I hope you're the majority. But for someone who gets a thrill out of playing a game like GTA for hours in a day, what says they wouldn't get a thrill out of actually stealing a car? Or stealing something from a store? Or beating up a neighbor?

Do you work in the media sector by any chance?
I'm pretty sure everyone can tell the difference between a video game and reality..