Chicago (IL) - Take-Two, the parent company of Grand Theft Auto creator Rockstar Games, has filed a lawsuit against the chicago Transit Authority after it pulled an ad campaign for GTA IV.

Take-Two claims that the city violated its first amendment rights by taking down ads at bus stops and other areas owned by the city's transit department shortly after they were put up one week prior to the game's April 29 release date.

Take-Two had set purchased the advertising space for six weeks, which would extend the ads through June.

As many gamers know, the Grand Theft Auto series epitomizes the debate over violence in video games, with its graphic content and morally questionable action sequences.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving went immediately on the offensive, slamming the game for the fact that it allows players to drive while under the influence.  However, it also gives players the option of calling a taxi and being responsible.

Take-Two is running similar ad campaigns in other major cities, but Chicago was singled out because a rash of violent street crimes plagued the city right around the game's release.  Chicago answered to pressure that the ads be removed because of the game's visualization of those kinds of crimes.

The game publisher is seeking $300,000 in damages as well as an order to put the ads back up.

The new fascism...

May 06, 2008 11:42     

Is this the Nazi-Christian America people want? Makes me laugh, and their creationism on schools...
Phil report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -4

Too bad.

May 06, 2008 13:07     

Tragic that a computer game company was violated by a city transit organization attempting not to glorify what many people find hurtful. The transit authority's right to free speech is not to advertise certain things on THEIR property. No offence Phil, but they don't advertise this stuff and they are Nazi-Christian's? Case and point: my comments have been not been 'advertised' here before. There are rules, I crossed them, no posting of the comment. Does that mean TGdaily was killing my first ammendment rights? No, it means I was a jerk and out of line and they didn't post what they felt was inappropriate. TGdaily reserves the right to not put offensive stuff on their property. They must be 'Nazi Christians'. Good for transit authority, and I'm sure Take-Two will make a ton of money despite the lack of ads in Chicago. Oh, they aleady have.

zooairz report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

@phil

May 06, 2008 13:18     

Don't blame Christianity for this. We're a lot more tolerant of ridicule, and endure a lot more than most other religions do. Blame left wing activists who are so afraid of their children growing up in a world that has anything bad.
wmcgritt report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +5

Or...

May 06, 2008 14:46     

Some might say blame right wing activists who find everything entirely immoral, but how about you grow a brain and blame all political corruption and extremes for this kind of pandering instead of singling one out due to your bias wmc? =)
Revrant report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

Re: wmcgritt

May 06, 2008 17:04     

Don't get offended, I don't meant to criticize anyones beliefs. My problem is not with religion per se, but with people who mob up and bother do rally against a 3d muppet driving a car... "drunk". These things only have the importance people care to give to them. I mean, who is really going to start to drink and drive just because you can do it in the game? What stopped you before? For the best part, you will only realize you'll get your car in flames and burn alive inside it... yeah, quite an incentive for real life DIU... Best regards.

Phil report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

To:zooairz

May 06, 2008 18:07     

Sure you are right. But here it works before it is posted. The ads were allready on the public and they put it out. They could have google what is that "Grand Theft Auto 4" they are going to advertise about and cancel the deal before it has been even signed... Besides - GTA4 is not promoting violence. And it's just game. If you are acting violently and breaking the law because "some dudes were doing it on da videogame, tha" than you haven't grown up yet. This game isn't suppose to get into the hands of children , same as the alcohol. And you can see alcohol adds in your TV... Bottom line is: If you can advertise alcohol and so on. Than you can advertise a game for adults. Actually I would insert a statement to an ad saying: "Do not try this at real world or you might get hurt, others hurt or get arrested." And If the person fails to understand this message. Than don't blame the game or advertisement. Let the men himself feel the consequences of his actions.

CJohny report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

This isnt about morals,

May 06, 2008 18:24     

This is about breach of contract. Take2 is well within their rights to sue Chicago's Transit authority for this breach. The fact that the contract was signed in the first place, indicates a lack of forethought on the behalf of the transit authority, as surely they should be well aware of the local 'climate' in regards to narrow-minded individuals/groups taking offense to an advertising campaign which DOES NOT portray any of the actions/events to which all of these people are raising a hue and cry about...

Pierre report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Here's the way I see it

May 07, 2008 02:31     

Yes it was a breach in a contract. Yes Rockstar could claim first amendment rights. But I believe that the argument could be made that the argument is nullified when it is inciting violent/criminal behavior. Whether or not it is true I think the ultimately CTA made the correct decision, though somewhat late. For anyone reading the news lately there have been a very high number of killing in Chicago. I think this is the point a lot of people are missing. Real people are dying at times on a daily basis here, and that's probably the reason why the ads were pulled so late. Now I'm not saying necessarily that the game will provoke people to go out and perform such vices, but I am saying that with the situation in Chicago as it is now I don't think it is smart to promote anything that may perpetuate already violent and dangerous behavior.

Advakit report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -2

Re: Advakit

May 07, 2008 04:49     

Who knows, maybe it's this game people need to stay in their homes and relax :D
Phil report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Standard Business

May 07, 2008 10:08     

Sounds black and white to me, the Transit Authority doesn't like the contract because of too many complaints. So they breached the contract, easy, now pay Take-Two the breach terms. Sounds simple. Do I agree with those complaining? No. Unfortunately though city authorities take so much political pressure from so many groups on so many issues I can understand them wanting to pull something that is causing noise, even if they don't agree with the complaints themselves. It just creates a needless headache of BS. So Chicago pay up, you breached the contract....

Da Man report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Breach, maybe, 1st ammend, nah.

May 07, 2008 10:34     

I don't disagree about the breach of contract. I was addressing the fact that people felt their freedom of speech was violated. Lets get real, that game celebrates and lifts up violent, hurtful behavior, that is what Take2 is using as the selling point. People usually don't like being told that they can't do something either, like promote a video game. It doesn't promote violence in me, I know what you are saying. I think it elevates hurtful actions that can in fact, promote violence in others. I think they are weak human beings no question, but that is a reality. Lifting up that game in that manner is a sensitive subject to those hurt by the violence it promotes. It is tragic for those hurt by a drive by shooting or some variation of that life style, maybe a lost son or family member, to get on a bus, in another city, and look up to see that Take2 makes $50 bucks a game living off the high of the violence of the murderer/perpetrator. That is why I believe the TA did the right thing. Its all about money anyway, nothing new under the sun. Have a good one.

zooairz report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0