HOUSTON – Women’s groups are furious over a controversial new video game that allows players to slap scantily-clad women if they don’t cooperate.
"Duke Nukem Forever" hit store shelves on Tuesday after 14 years of development delays. Plano-based Gearbox Software finally took over and was able to finish programming the first-person shooter.
The point of the game is to rescue women from aliens, said Steve Gibson, a Gearbox spokesman, who added that the game was rated "mature" for a reason and that it’s intended for adults.
Other games, like the "Grand Theft Auto" series, have pushed the envelope when it comes to violence against women. But critics of "Duke Nukem Forever" say it’s taking that idea to a whole new level.
It allows players to slap women from behind as they’re being rescued from aliens.
"Sex and violence are very intertwined now, which is a tragedy in this country," said Dr. Jacsun Shaw, a member of the Houston Women’s Group. "I think (the game) should be banned. Will it be banned? No."
The game costs $59 for Xbox and Playstation 3 and $49 for the PC version.
"To me, it’s just a matter of opinion," said teenager Gerrard James, who wants to buy the game. "I personally think it’s very appropriate."
His father views playing video games with his son as simply a way to spend time with him and says it’s up to parents to monitor what their kids play.
"I haven’t seen the game," said Greg James, his father. "But they’re video games. As long as you teach your children how to put things in perspective, then that’s all it’s going to be: a game."
"Duke Nukem Forever" hit store shelves on Tuesday after 14 years of development delays. Plano-based Gearbox Software finally took over and was able to finish programming the first-person shooter.
The point of the game is to rescue women from aliens, said Steve Gibson, a Gearbox spokesman, who added that the game was rated "mature" for a reason and that it’s intended for adults.
Other games, like the "Grand Theft Auto" series, have pushed the envelope when it comes to violence against women. But critics of "Duke Nukem Forever" say it’s taking that idea to a whole new level.
It allows players to slap women from behind as they’re being rescued from aliens.
"Sex and violence are very intertwined now, which is a tragedy in this country," said Dr. Jacsun Shaw, a member of the Houston Women’s Group. "I think (the game) should be banned. Will it be banned? No."
The game costs $59 for Xbox and Playstation 3 and $49 for the PC version.
"To me, it’s just a matter of opinion," said teenager Gerrard James, who wants to buy the game. "I personally think it’s very appropriate."
His father views playing video games with his son as simply a way to spend time with him and says it’s up to parents to monitor what their kids play.
"I haven’t seen the game," said Greg James, his father. "But they’re video games. As long as you teach your children how to put things in perspective, then that’s all it’s going to be: a game."
I'm gonna get this for my sons
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