Violent Video Game Gets The Boot

   By drodriguez  Feb 28, 2009
58

A video game that was recently being sold on reputable websites like Amazon and eBay gives new meaning to what would be considered inappropriate for both children and adults.  The disturbing Japanese game called Rapelay is said to depict mothers and their daughters being stalked, assaulted, and raped.

Fox News recently reported on Amazon and eBay dropping the game from their sites.  An Amazon spokeswoman told Fox News, “We determined that we did not want to be selling this particular item.”  Amazon had reportedly been selling a few “like new” copies of the game before it was removed.  The Japan based company that created the game is called Illusion Studio and also sells a video game series entitled Battle Raper and Battle Raper 2. 

World Net Daily (WND) also reported on the removal of the rape simulating game.  According to reviews and descriptions of Rapelay WND reports pregnancy and abortion are focused on throughout the game.  Characters are punished if after raping a woman they decide to keep the baby rather than aborting it.  The main character has somehow escaped from prison in order to stalk and rape women and young girls.  The male character is said to take photographs of his victims after assaulting and raping them. 

Though the game has now been removed from both eBay and Amazon, Newsday reports that Rapelay is still being sold on smaller gaming websites.  New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault have called on all U.S. video game distributors to refrain from selling the game.

To view a CBS News report featuring Christine Quinn calling for a boycott of the game you can visit: it.truveo.com/NYC-Council-Woman-Asking-Gamers-To-Say-No-To/id/112466440

What do you think of the recent removal of Rapelay from Amazon and eBay?

Do you think enough is being done to ensure games like these do not end up in the wrong hands?

 

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toriphilly by toriphilly | buffalo, NY
Mar 08, 2009

I am 32 y/o/female and I am a gamer. My kids play games. If the parents talk to your children and explain right from wrong like I know my momma did there should not be an issue. Also not allowing your child to play games like this are a huge thing. All games have ratings on them. We watch our kids when they are outside. We should be watching them when they are in the house. Parent supervision is a huge thing. Most of the violent video games are for us adults anyhow. Also Some systems children can talk to adults and say what ever. How safe is that- how many parent educate their kids on what not to say? Just my 2 cents- I am also a programmer and I teach an internet safety class.

satrntgr by satrntgr | LAKESIDE, AZ
Mar 07, 2009

I'm glad that they are looking into this. Too many of these are coming about these days and it's crazy!! I don't want my son to ever see anything like this, but with the mainstream media, they're even advertising during cartoons!!! CRAZY!!

ann818marie by ann818marie | MOUNT LAUREL, NJ
Mar 07, 2009

I am praying for the people who thought up and the people who choose to buy or play this game.

AYoung by AYoung | APO AP, OU
Mar 07, 2009

Also, my Husband and I have had long conversations about this topic. It is NOT up to companies to stop selling games like this, it is up to PARENTS to BE AWARE of their children's activities, interests and friends. He related it to gun control (Which we really don't have opinions one way or another): If you ban all guns, bad people will still be bad and get them illegally. You can't make guns just go away. If you make them legal, good people will be able to access them, but the bad people will still be bad. So you're at lest giving the good people an option. Terrible, violent, objectionable, offensive video games will always be made, but if you ban them all, 'bad' people/kids will still get their hands on them. Ebay pulling this item will NOT make the problem of lack of parental awareness go away. All it does is make parents feel more comfortable about their complacency because companies are doing their job so they think their kids are 'safe'.

AYoung by AYoung | APO AP, OU
Mar 07, 2009

While i in no way agree with the content of this particular game, or a variety of others for that matter (grand theft auto, bio shock, etc etc) my husband is a 'gamer'. And most games created now have a 'choose your own adventrue' portion where you can choose to be a good person or a bad person and be rewarded accordingly. For example, in bio-shock, you kill these monters that protect this girl and after the monster's dead you can kill the girl and get points or you can let her live and get nothing. But after you save her life three or four times you get about 8times as many points as you would have if you killed her every time. So, again, while this game will never be found in my home or purchased by my family, I think the game needs to be taken in full context to truly assess the matter. But either way, PARENTs need to be responsible for teaching kids of all ages. We shouldn't wait for FOX or Ebay to tell us about this game.. We should be aware of it one our own.

kathrynam by kathrynam | Brush Creek, TN
Mar 06, 2009

Okay, dummy me! I find the game offensive. Read the details too quickly/ I DO NOT support such businesses, and will turn my business elsewhere!!!!

kathrynam by kathrynam | Brush Creek, TN
Mar 06, 2009

Way to go Amazon and Ebay!!! I deliberately spend my money/purchases at companies that share my views. Making decisions like this will put you at the top of my shopping list!

kimberw83 by kimberw83 | Columbia, MO
Mar 06, 2009

This is horrifying! How could something like that get the OK to be made, not to mention sold to the public? I'm not for censorship either, and I like some video games, but this is wrong.

awheel3er by awheel3er | ARLINGTON, VA
Mar 05, 2009

I agree the thought of this game is not only objectionable, but completely repulsive. I would however like to turn my comment from being relevant to these games, to aplauding those corporations that pulled it out of their inventory. It's about time an industry was willing to pull its moral compass out of the basement and use it. WELL DONE AMAZON AND EBAY!

GrandMaJo by GrandMaJo | JACKSONVILLE, NC
Mar 05, 2009

Such a game ins very telling of the downward spiral of what is euphemistically called "civilization". In this world, where fathers use children as sex slaves, where countries erradicate villages for pleasure, and armies are known better for their ability to rape and maim, we should not even be privileged to pass the "C" word between our lips. Video games have become a disease and parents and families who allow and indulge should be quarantined until they die of starvation. We own no video games, our children are taught to farm and appreciate the real world. They are taught self-control and wisdom over sloth and gluttony. My children will be the ones who will survive the coming age. Those raised on Nintendo and PlayStation will not.

usfbubbles by usfbubbles | SEMINOLE, FL
Mar 05, 2009

My husband is an artist, so I hear about the censorship issues all the time, but this is insane!!! Why on earth would someone create a "game" like this? Do we not have enough sickos in the world already without creating more!!! I'm glad this was removed.

chanelbella by chanelbella | grove city, PA
Mar 05, 2009

I can't believe this game was ever sold anywhere in the U.S. It's disgusting! It's bad enough they make movies about it, but a game enables sick people to have fun with it. There should be laws to protect us from these items being sold here. I am really apalled that ebay and amazon actually sold the game. I shop there alot and it makes me not even want to anymore.

whataslacker by whataslacker | READING, PA
Mar 05, 2009

I am not one for censorship, but this game pushes the envelope. While I would never buy this nor would I ever, ever consider giving it to a child banning it is more than likely not the way to go. As historically banned games, videos, and music always seem to sell more after this type of hype. Educate parents about these things, encourage them to watch what their kids are playing and get the parents to stop the game from ever entering their lives, because if people want this game they will get it ban or no ban.

jh0816 by jh0816 | DULUTH, GA
Mar 04, 2009

everytime I think it can't get worse, it does - where will it end?

bonita7878 by bonita7878 | SPRING VALLEY, CA
Mar 04, 2009

Wow, it takes a lot to shock me and the details given in the article about the game did it. Atrocious (sorry if I spelled that wrong), vile and disgusting comes quickly to mind. I hope there is some way to ban this.