Obama speaks out on GTA IV

By Ellie Gibson Published 2 May, 2008

Think of the children.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has joined the hoo-haw over GTA IV, saying it'll make "goo-gobs" of money for Rockstar but dumm-kopfs of America's children.

As reported by Rawstory, Obama's comments came during a campaign stop in Indianapolis. He told the crowd, "I was just catching the news this morning about Grand Theft Auto, this video game, which is gonna break all records and make goo-gobs of money for whoever designed it.

"Now, this isn’t intended for kids, although I promise you there are kids who are playing it, but these video games are raising our kids," Obama continued. "Across the board, middle-class, upper-class, working-class kids, they’re spending a huge amount of their time not on their studies, but on entertainment.

"And so part of our job is going to have to be to inspire the entire country to say, ‘How are we giving our kids a thirst for knowledge?’ And turning off the TV set, and getting them to be engaged and interested, like their future really does matter on how well they do in school."

So now America's presidential candidates are getting their policy ideas from Why Don't You?. Oh look, it's him off The Apprentice.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (80) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • morriss #1 4 years ago

    I agree.

  • nasanu #2 4 years ago

    He could have said a lot worse really.

  • morriss #3 4 years ago

    YES.
    WE.
    CAN.

  • Nallen #4 4 years ago

    Fairly reasonable tbh.

  • Dizzy #5 4 years ago

    Actually I can't believe how "Anti-American" GTA IV is and they don't seem to notice (yet). Some of those radio stations totally rule and take the piss out of American culture. Fox/Weazel would have field day with that.

  • paulf #6 4 years ago

    'they’re spending a huge amount of their time not on their studies, but on entertainment.' as it was before video games, and as it will be forever

  • bad09 #7 4 years ago

    That whole statement has nothing to do with GTA4 and everything to do with how parents in America (and UK) raise their children. For the love of god when will people start blaming the parents?

    On the plus side here in the UK the game was on the news channels on launch day and it was made clear it's NOT for little johnny.

  • morriss #8 4 years ago

    Anyone who disagrees with him is just frightened of change.

  • DB2k #9 4 years ago

    indeed.. the problem is the parents.

  • The-Bodybuilder #10 4 years ago

    I had my typical response ready, but I'm now dissapointed in EGs headline.
    Obama doesn't even attack GTA IV, and also makes strong, valid points.
    Edited by 1 at 02/05/08 @ 09:24

  • Mr_Dodger #11 4 years ago

    Yes, of course - it's all the fault of videogames, again. Check:
    http://www.deli beratedumbingdown.com/

  • septimus #12 4 years ago

    I like Obama, he really does need to win this election. But joining bandwagon arguments like this is unlike him, and I feel cheap and pathetic.

    'games are raising our children'.... only if you are shit parents. Wake up Obama. Rednecks will raise rednecks, and "ganstas!" will raise little ganstas. That is the problem, the majority of people having kids in America aren't fit to be parents. Same here really.
    Edited by 1 at 02/05/08 @ 09:24

  • spidermanalf #13 4 years ago

    Least he realises it is not for kids!

  • Tetragammatron #14 4 years ago

    If the main character was black he wouldn't be saying it!

  • The-Bodybuilder #15 4 years ago

    Some of you really need to read the actual post dammit (that's aimed at spidermanalf). Obama said "Now, this isn’t intended for kids...".

    "games are raising our children'.... only if you are shit parents"
    Hmmm, pretty sure that's his point exactly.

  • _Price_ #16 4 years ago

    BAN THIS SICK FILTH!

    Wait. Oh. He was being 'reasonable'. Sneaky bastard.

    Although he did use the phrase 'goo-gobs'....

  • Xerx3s #17 4 years ago

    "And turning off the TV set, and getting them to be engaged and interested, like their future really does matter on how well they do in school."

    A stupid position. If it wasn't for the telly and internet, I would have never developed a deep taste for cultural things such as classical music, art, old books, etc. I would even go as far as saying that the internet has been a place to experiment without consequences in socio cultural interaction. Television learned me to speak 4 languages.
    On top of that, it gave me access to an unlimited amount of resources that trained me to do my job. I make a killing from my knowledge that I gathered on the internet. My schooling is fun but hardly functional when it comes to earning good money. Whether that says more about the state of education than the internet is another topic.

  • Ghost_Dog #18 4 years ago

    I like him, but I don't really agree with him on this.

    Like many others, I spent quite a bit of my childhood playing games. Despite this, I have managed to get a decent job raise a family etc... all without ever going out and car jacking.

    At least he hasn't gone on an all out attack on the game makers, who ever they are...?

  • morriss #19 4 years ago

    I think his overriding message is that going outside is on the whole better than staying in glued to the set. He's not saying kids shouldn't play games, he's saying they probably play them too much.

    He's right.

  • slivir #20 4 years ago

    What the hell EG, he's not attacking GTAIV directly. Misled, I was misled!!!!

    Actually I agree with him, kids should spend more time playing sports and shit.

  • Avaloner #21 4 years ago

    Totally acceptable rant although the GTA IV reference was a bit out of place. Free advertisement FTW.

  • stoopidgreg #22 4 years ago

    still sounds like he doesn't want people to play the game, or engage in any form of entertainment really.

  • kestral #23 4 years ago

    "Now, this isn’t intended for kids, although I promise you there are kids who are playing it, but these video games are raising our kids,"

    Except for the videogames not intended for kids then.

  • morriss #24 4 years ago

    No it doesn't.

  • PlugMonkey #25 4 years ago

    "I had my typical response ready, but I'm now dissapointed in EGs headline.
    Obama doesn't even attack GTA IV, and also makes strong, valid points."

    You mean he spoke out on it. Yes. Damn you, EG.

    "Television learned me to speak 4 languages. "

    Heh heh. No, but seriously. I think there is an increased tendancy for parents, in the UK at least, thinking that their children are somehow someone else's responsibility. I think children are being raised by TV and games more than ever before. I can think of a few young families where the kids are just plonked in front of a TV show or game because it 'keeps them quiet'. It's very easy, and I'm not sure it's particularly healthy and I think that's all he was talking about.

    It sounds like he was asked a question on GTA and spun it around to dodge the hype and make an entirely different point.
    Edited by 2 at 02/05/08 @ 09:51

  • MattyD #26 4 years ago

    Obama hardly counts as 'anti-games'. His comments on the subject seem well-measured and moderate IMHO. He's not demonising games in the slightest and he does have a good point to make - that far too many parents are content to take the easy option of letting their kids play games or watch TV instead of chivvying them into studying hard and making something of themselves.

  • penhalion #27 4 years ago

    It's a bit sad when EG mock the only candidate that didn't blame anything on GTA isn't it.

  • Kenshin001 #28 4 years ago

    I wonder what he will say about RE5. I'm sure his crazy pastor will have a field day with that one.

  • Xerx3s #29 4 years ago

    PlugMonkey: In the 80's we had all kinds of cool different series in all kinds of languages. They made me pick up different languages very quickly. Nowadays it's only fucking pokemon and teletubby shit and worst of all, those nationalistic/religious cunts have gotten their way and now EVERYTHING is translated to the native language.

    It's cringe worthy and belittling (who the fuck do they think they are).

    Worst thing about it is that you can't open a newspaper without one of those self-righteous pricks claiming that what they are doing is a good thing ("protecting" the language). They keenly forget that 70 tot 80% of the vocabulary is ripped straight from other languages.

  • Xerx3s #30 4 years ago

    /has some issues with religious power groups creeping into everything and manipulating daily life in an ever more visible way

  • chrisjm #31 4 years ago

    so basically its the parents fault and not the game, but using those words wont get you any votes will it

  • Bongo #32 4 years ago

    It's not the headline that's misleading, it's Ellie's opening statement:
    "Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has joined the hoo-haw over GTA IV, saying it'll make "goo-gobs" of money for Rockstar but dumm-kopfs of America's children."
    No, that's not really what he said at all.

  • Arwin #33 4 years ago

    If he wants to do something for educating the masses, how about banning overdubbing for programs aimed at 6 years or older, in TV programmes as well as games. That should help language skills across the board. It's not for nothing that the Dutch are some of the most language proficient in the world. ;)

    (ehm, yes, I am in fact Dutch ... sorry for the spelling errors :p)

  • actionfitz #34 4 years ago

    yeah, hoping Obama can win that nomination. he sounds like a decent guy who doesnt jump on bandwagons and say or do anything and everything just to get power.

    ...Clinton on the other hand...

    [link url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article 438332.ece
    ]http://ww w.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/wo...[/link]

    -.-

    voted for wars and jumped onto the 'Ban this sick filth' bandwagon.. omg the children!... etc
    If she wins I can see a whole heap of liberal people not voting, when your choice is between this arsehole and the republicans, thats not much of a choice.

  • Rrralphster #35 4 years ago

    It's nothing but a political correct statement in the run-up to the elections in November...
    In my ears it sounds a lot like he wants both the votes of people who play games like GTA (by being mild about it...) and the need to have an opinion as a politician and possible presidential candidate (being slightly critical about it).

    It's all about the votes...

  • superdelphinus #36 4 years ago

    come on now let's not spin stuff like the 'other side' do

    he's right. he's not blaming the game itself, just that kids are playing to many games in general at the expense of their schoolwork

  • sergeantdisco #37 4 years ago

    Goo gobs eh?

    I'm not sure I'd like to be paid in those.

  • superdelphinus #38 4 years ago

    is eurogamer turning into the daily heil ?

  • LOLLERS #39 4 years ago

    haha Why Don't You, amazing.

  • Lebowski #40 4 years ago

    Anyone heard from Keith Vaz yet? I miss that guy and his ill-informed soundbites. :-(

  • Lemming81 #41 4 years ago

    Ellie, seriously, what the fuck? What's with the sensationalist journalism? Is EG the Mail now? He just made some pretty sensible comments.

  • Katsumoto #42 4 years ago

    For once (!) I have to agree with the rest of you - this headline got me really worked up. I love Obama, and I was really disappointed he'd joined Hilary in the game-bashing. But, it turns out, he hasn't. He's merely said more needs to be done to make sure adult-rated games stay with adults.

    Cool the headlines down!

  • SleepyMagpie #43 4 years ago

    He can criticize videogames as much as he likes, we'll get our stuff anyway, and he is not the kind of candidate to ban things if he got power.

    Obama HAS TO WIN this nomination for the democrats, and then go on to win the election to the presidency of the United States.

    The other 2 possibilities are too horrible to imagine.

    If we have had a "decline of the west" in the last eight years under dubya, with any one of those two others it would be over and out for us - "the fall of the west" - for sure.

    Here's praying.

    Yes we can. Or they can. Please? With sugar on top?

  • Camorrista #44 4 years ago

    Wait until Hillary speaks out on this, THEN I guarantee you have Flamewar Friday material.

  • DrowJones #45 4 years ago

    Poor journalism. Shame on you, EG.

  • Gaol #46 4 years ago

    "The other 2 possibilities are too horrible to imagine. "

    Couldn't agree more, he's by far the best candidate from what I've seen; his speaking power is pretty amazing.

    Of course as a Brit I have no right to say who American's should vote for, but amazes me that they picked a George Bush over a Al Gore, and wouldn't surprise me if Clinton got the nomination.

  • kangarootoo #47 4 years ago

    The Rawstory link in this article doesn't point to Rawstory, it points back to the same article.

    Oh, and dumm-kopfs is not a hyphenated word (insert pedant apology here).

  • FornicatingBaboon #48 4 years ago

    "Now, this isn’t intended for kids,"

    Finally, someone realises. This, to me, has been the main problem with the recent game hate... people don't seem to know that the number 18 on the case for a reason.

    I do hope this man gets into office.

  • felastica #49 4 years ago

    And Eurogamer joins the hoo-haw over someone in the public eye saying something even a little bit negative about video games. All he said was lots of people would play GTA IV and that parents should encourage their kids to do outside activities. Big deal - are you seriously saying he's at all wrong?

    Come back when you have a real story.

  • jonsaan #50 4 years ago

    Like Kids weren't glued to the tv before video games you stupid , out of touch, votemongering dickhead. As a parent, it's your duty to make sure your kids don't spend all their time doing ANY one activity. Life is all about balance. If only we could fast forward time and instantly kill off these out of touch dinosaurs.

  • jonsaan #51 4 years ago

    'video games are raising our kids," Obama continued.'

    That's hardly reasonable is it?

  • T4RG4 #52 4 years ago

    I think kids have always stayed away from having a 'thirst for knowledge'. Its just that we have videogames around at the moment.

  • superdelphinus #53 4 years ago

    "Like Kids weren't glued to the tv before video games you stupid , out of touch, votemongering dickhead. As a parent, it's your duty to make sure your kids don't spend all their time doing ANY one activity. Life is all about balance. If only we could fast forward time and instantly kill off these out of touch dinosaurs."

    er did you read what he said?

  • morriss #54 4 years ago

    Obviously not. Gamers can't read! ;)

  • jonsaan #55 4 years ago

    @ Superdelphinus. Yes I did read what he said.

    He also said that these video games are raising our kids which is an insult to every decent parent. Maybe your kids ARE raised by videogames. Mine aren't.

    I realise that he also said it's your duty as a parent to make sure that this doesn't happen, but then why say that video games are raising our children? It's a total contradiction aimed to please both sides of the argument. In other words, absolute guff.
    Edited by 1 at 02/05/08 @ 12:02

  • polar #56 4 years ago

    Before I clicked on the link I was worried that its contents might damage my respect for Obama, but it's a quite a well reasoned statment that I happen to agree with. Can't wait for Hilary's response, she'll probably make a veiled threat to firebomb the Rockstar offices or something, just so they know that she can.

  • polar #57 4 years ago

    @ jonsaan

    You seem to be getting a little hot under the collar there. Just what did you expect a Democratic presidential nominee to say? GTA is awesome and parents should encourage their kids to unlock all it's achievements? I agree with STKD on this one, it was a balanced reasoned statement. You seem to have ignored the fact that he's obviously talking about extreme cases. I loved videogames as a kid and often played them around the clock, but my parents enouraged me to do other things too - and that's what Obama is saying.
    Edited by 1 at 02/05/08 @ 12:17

  • mischief #58 4 years ago

    why don't you?
    funny.
    apprentice jibe.
    also funny.
    Obama.
    dull.
    Edited by 1 at 02/05/08 @ 12:26

  • InsoFox #59 4 years ago

    I dunno, his comment seems a little confused, to me. Usually he speaks quite precisely.

  • bonker #60 4 years ago

    "like their future really does matter on how well they do in school"

    Noone's future depends (I assume that's what he means by 'matter') on how well they do in school.

    If you're a fuck-wit then you're gonna get fucked, if you're bright and relatively immoral, you'll do great.

    Same as always.

  • MightyMouse #61 4 years ago

    @WaxBrazillian

    Racist? Where did you get that from exactly? Your ass perhaps? Maybe I missed the announcement that we were playing let's-make-shit-up today.

    @jonsaan

    I really doubt he was talking about you in particular. If he were talking about the importance of parenting in preventing crime, would you suddenly assume that since your kids aren't criminals there isn't an issue there?

  • SomaticSense #62 4 years ago

    The guy's actually right.

    I thought - especially with EG bothering to make an article of it - that he'd be attacking the game, but he's not. He mentions it's not for kids, and that society needs to figure out a way to get kids learning again. Anyone that has ever gone on largely kiddie populated forums like Gamefaqs would be aware of the topics proclaiming things such as; 'Who else is skipping school to play 'X game''.
    Fine, it would've been nice if he'd mentioned the other pursuits that are switching kids off from wanting to learn (like shit tv) rather than just concentrating on gaming, but he's essentially right.

    Even if you don't agree with him, he put forward his opinion (because that's still what it is...) in a far more dignified way than pretty much any other politician or media figure who have spoken on the subject of videogames.

    I hope to god this guy becomes president.
    Edited by 1 at 02/05/08 @ 13:06

  • jonsaan #63 4 years ago

    @MightyMouse

    No, you are probably right. However, simply using the word 'some' would probably have clarified his statement.

    Instead of saying the very quotable 'video games are raising our kids'.

  • Lemming81 #64 4 years ago

    @jonsaan: His statement was fine. It was a generalisation recognising a problem.

    'video games are raising our kids'. is the same as 'there is crime on our streets'. He doesn't mean your street right now.

    If you take it literally, that means his own kids are raised by video games, but he still thinks its a problem and you end up going in circles. Which doesn't make sense.

    Just chill out and read it for what it is, not what you are worried it might be :)

    Edited by 2 at 02/05/08 @ 13:27

  • LOLLERS #65 4 years ago

    Oh Dear, Eurogamer has turned into BBC Have Your Say for the day it seems. Unless you're ALL being ironic.

  • worstgamerever #66 4 years ago

    Barack speaks the truth. If you dont agree with him, wait till you go online and get insulted by a 12year old, playing GTA IV multi-player, or GOW or Halo etc [if you haven't found yourself in this uneviable situation, you must not spend enough hours on Xbox Live].

    The fact remains, that Rockster have made a great game... but a Ferrari in the hands of an idiot, or a teenager could spell disaster.

    Perhaps not the best analogy, but I hope you get the point.

    =======
    My first ever post btw :-)

  • Mr_Dodger #67 4 years ago

    "If you dont agree with him, wait till you go online and get insulted by a 12year old,"

    The exact same thing can happen at the bus stop or (as with me) at the cinema, when you (politely) ask one such little darling to keep the noise down and get told to eff off. Asshatism is not the sole domain of video games.
    Edited by 1 at 02/05/08 @ 14:01

  • Ace_McCloud #68 4 years ago

    Shut up you fucki----

    /Reads article

    Oh okay then. I agree.

  • worstgamerever #69 4 years ago

    @dodger.

    I couldn't agree more. But I'm speaking in the context of this article - GTAIV and gaming, not the society in general.

    Also Barack didnt presume to detail a solution, he only highlighted a very real problem [one of many, agreed] with the younger demographic in today's society. I was only stating an effect of that problem - which in case we've forgotten, is that younger people playing 18+ adult-themed games, may not always be in their best interest.

  • Dynamize #70 4 years ago

    Why oh why can't we just knuckle down and give our leaders what they want? - Olympic gold medalist medical doctor lawyer particle physicist business tycoons. Y'know, perfectly reasonable requests for parents and children. Children that are bookish and academically excellent, while at the same time modern day physical Adonii.
    I'm sure with the inherent inequality in society, people can raise all children to such a level. If only they put a little effort in, and switched off those tellies and consoles.

  • Nallen #71 4 years ago

    It's nothing but a political correct statement in the run-up to the elections in November...
    In my ears it sounds a lot like he wants both the votes of people who play games like GTA (by being mild about it...) and the need to have an opinion as a politician and possible presidential candidate (being slightly critical about it).

    It's all about the votes...

    Holy shit, you cracked the code. Politicians say things in order to win votes. Wow.

  • AJUK #72 4 years ago

    Seems like a fairly balanced view. This guy seems like a head and shoulders improvement on the current one.

  • MightyMouse #73 4 years ago

    @WaxBrazillian

    Ah my bad, didn't realise you were just trolling. I've never really understood it as a habit, I mean if you're that bored, why not just do something interesting?

  • vbad #74 4 years ago

    See what happens when someone's raised by videogames!

    All the signs-
    Unwarranted hostility, inability to communicate logically, inability to see how foolish his statements look. This is an excellent example of the problems our modern society does face with technology sometimes being used as a parent.

    Thanks WaxBrazillian for providing a great sample of what can go wrong.

  • Machiavellian #75 4 years ago

    I think the issue is that kids should be doing more than just watching TV and playing video games. Most kids today (from my humble experience) go to their friend house to play video games or watch TV. I know this because thats what my kid tries to do. I make it a habit when his friends come over to kick them out of the house or take them to the park. My son only gets to play video games or watch TV if he can maintain a B average or above. Last semester, his grades dropped because he received two Cs. Promptly my wife and I shut down all game playing and we also shut down the TV. Even though he is not grounded, his friends do not ask to come over because he cannot play with the PS3, Wii 360 or DS.

    To amuse my son during these rough months (takes a whole semester to get those grades back up) I usually buy him a lot of graphic novels to help with his reading and comprehension. We also play more board games and the card based games like Pokemon and UGO.

  • Yaz #76 4 years ago

    "To amuse my son during these rough months (takes a whole semester to get those grades back up) I usually buy him a lot of graphic novels to help with his reading and comprehension. We also play more board games and the card based games like Pokemon and UGO."

    In otherwords, you take an active part in your son's development rather than expecting someone else to do it for you, leaving him to do whatever he likes and then looking for someone or something to blame if things go wrong.

    You're an example of good parenting Machiavellian. Well done. :)

  • Machiavellian #77 4 years ago

    Nothing like putting the pressure on your kids when you can show them the next Naruto game (PS3) and Dragonballz (PS3 and 360) that look great and tell him that if he can get an A average those games are his on the spot.

    Man did I love the look on his face when he saw the PS3 version of Naruto. There was a hunger there that should put the spur up his but to exceed. So far he has really put all his effort in getting that A average. It would be wrong to tell him that I was going to get those games anyway but oh well, it's good to be the parent.

  • Quint2020 #78 4 years ago

    It's a fair point, kids shoulden't be playing it and it's up to the parents to actually.... you know be parents and not allow them to play it.

  • TheJuriel #79 4 years ago

    The Obama quote really isn't that bad. It's directed at 'kids should study more', in general, not just in relation to playing games, and especially not aimed at GTA4 in particular. Seems he phrased it well.

  • TheJuriel #80 4 years ago

    Oh, wow, that Hillary article - [link url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article 438332.ece
    ]http://ww w.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/wo...[/link]

    "Researchers from the University of Oklahoma recently found that two-thirds of school fights were instigated by regular video game players, but only 4% were started by children who had never played such games."

    Might this have something to do with the fact that ONLY 4% OF KIDS HAVE NEVER PLAYED ANY VIDEOGAMES, maybe? Idiots. By that logic, they should release a study about how 100% of crimes are committed by people that have at some point enjoyed ice cream.