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Chicago bans M-rated game advertisements on public transit (gonintendo.com)

M Rated And Above Games Banned From Public Transit Ads, GTA IV Back

Dark Arcanine | November 19, 2008 | News | PC Playstation 3 Company

The CTA has caused mixed emotions for the video game community as advertising is scrutinized. Before the end of April, public transport in Chicago refused to allow GTA IV advertisements around their business. This was in response to some recent shootings, feeling it wouldn't do any good and Fox hinting it was a reason behind them.

Take-Two fought back, suing the transporters. Now for six weeks GTA IV will be advertising on public transport as the company licks its wounds from the settlement.

They also announced some grim news. Once they manage to pay back Take-Two, they will no longer advertise any games that are rated M or above.

The CTA made the earlier decision to remove the ads from the system following some violence in the city. The CTA felt that, based on the circumstances, it was in the best interest of our customers to remove the ads and further review the circumstances.

Last week, the CTA board voted to ban advertising for video games rated "M" and above. The ordinance, which takes effect Jan. 1, cites a "demonstrable correlation" between intensely violent video games and violent or aggressive behavior.

GP: Even though many M-rated games are fantastic examples of the creative arts, the transit agencies are essentially equating such games with smut. The industry needs to stand up for itself on this issue. Take-Two was right to sue the CTA over its GTA IV case, but the larger ban on M-rated games in general needs to be addressed by the ESA.

News Story attached to:

Grand Theft Auto IV [PC, XBOX360, PS3]

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Comments

0 thumbs!
TurMoiL911 | November 20, 2008

quote
M Rated And Above Games Banned From Public Transit Ads
If the CTA wants to be fair, they also have to ban the advertisements for R-rated movies. Otherwise, they're just falling in line with the media bias against video games.
- 0 thumbs!
  Big A2 | November 20, 2008
  
  But then again, when have I ever see an add for an R rated movie on a bus?
  - 0 thumbs!
    Mcm2008 | November 20, 2008
    
    Well... I prefer seeing GTA ads rather than God knows what R rated movie
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RabidChinaGirl | November 20, 2008

I remember covering this story back when it first hit. Like GP mentions, Take-Two sued the CTA because they violated contracts by pulling the ads early. It was also not the first time the CTA breached a contract by removing "inappropriate" materials from their vehicles/stations before the specified end date of the advertising campaign... so, yeah I don't understand why they would keep agreeing to these ad campaigns if they're just going to wuss out and get sued.
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  Final Blade | November 21, 2008
  
  _{Cause, they apparently love getting sued and breaching contracts.}
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Sonic Wave | November 21, 2008

QFT Turmoil. It is ridiculous. There are so many "R" rated movies that are aired for commercials everyday.