7. Keith Vaz
The scene where Trevor tortures a guy for information was always going to be a red rag to a bull for people who wanted a stick to beat Rockstar with. Even before most people had been given a chance to play the game, UKs Daily Mirror published an
article titled GTA 5 torture row: Teachers slam scenes of extreme violence in most expensive game ever made In it Alison Sherratt, president of the Lecturers and Teachers Association said that extreme violence should not be included in video games. She also added that:
this scene takes things a step too far and the games makers need to consider what they are producing.
While she made a fair enough point that children shouldnt be playing games like GTA V, it is hardly the fault of Rockstar if parents allow their kids to play it. Game shops are now very strict when it comes to selling age-appropriate games to children so the blame lies clearly with the parents. But it didnt take too long for bandwagon jumping MP Keith Vaz to give his two pence. Having admitted that he hasnt played any GTA, he said;
I am astonished at the level of violence depicted in this game." It is worrying that this type of content could be accessed by young people, particularly considering the previous links to real-life violence.
Vaz has a history of campaigning againt the video game industry. In 2004 he made a song and dance about Manhunt, where he claimed it was partly responsible for a murder of a 14 year old. And in 2012, he tabled a motion calling for
more robust precautions be taken before video games are published.