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PETA goes ape over circus Wii game News

Wii News by Robert Purchese

5 November, 2009

Animal welfare rights organisation PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is crusading against the sale of 2K's Ringling Bros. Wii game.

The group urges campaigners to email Take-Two boss Ben Feder and force him to "sever ties with Ringling Bros.". There's a petition form already written out, awaiting only your signature.

"Let him know that you'd rather play a game featuring a circus that does not beat animals for 'entertainment'," states the PETA website (via Kotaku).

PETA alleges that Ringling Bros. "is known for its long history of abusing animals", particularly elephants, which are locked inside poorly ventilated boxes for days and are "violently beaten" with bullhooks.

PETA has an entire website dedicated to its investigation into the circus, which has been prolific across North America since the 1920s.

The animal welfare group has waded into the realm of videogames before, once with regard to World in Warcraft and once in rebuke of Cooking Mama.

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Comments: 1-50 of 55 in total | next 50 »

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chrisjm
05/11/09 @ 10:11
#1
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dont they have anything better to do?
EarlBassett
05/11/09 @ 10:12
#2
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Tell you what, have a few naked models and celebrities walk past my window and I'll agree not to buy it
Johnson
05/11/09 @ 10:18
#3
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'Prolific'? Really?
penhalion
05/11/09 @ 10:18
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If even half of what PETA say is true, then I'm suprised that anyone who has ever owned a pet, would side with Ringling Bros over PETA. Of course this comment thread will likely be filled with people slagging off PETA because they think it's their god given right to buy any game even if buying it provided money to kill newborn babies for sport....*sigh*
Clive Dunn
05/11/09 @ 10:21
#5
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Well I've learnt my lesson, no more spanking my monkey in front of a PETA representative.
mingster
05/11/09 @ 10:22
#6
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i might want to buy an animal cruelty game though.
Remember it is only a game.
You get to do things you cant do in real life.
Can i run over lions legs in this?
Sunyavadin
05/11/09 @ 10:42
#7
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This just further increases my drive to make all my clothes out of PETA members in future...


It puts the lotion.....
nuanimal
05/11/09 @ 10:45
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Wait... are they objecting to the game because it allows you to beat animals? Or because it's a Ringling Bros related product?

Sorry that wasn't clear?
captain_monk
05/11/09 @ 10:49
#9
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They are probably objecting as it's a Ringling Bros licensed product and so they will be making money from this game.
So basically this game is financially supporting a cruelly run circus.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 05/11/09 @ 10:51
Von_Adder
05/11/09 @ 10:50
#10
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After watching the linked videos of the way those bastards mistreat these majestic creatures i for one hope PETA can shut that bullshit down once and for all and wholeheartedly agree on their stance against the game, this form of entertainment is not needed in this day and age if you really need to see a circus go see Cirque de soleil

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/

Where's the American equivalant of the ALF when you need them?
Toothball
05/11/09 @ 10:51
#11
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Are PETA just doing some kind of weird cross promotion these days? Like the thing with Cooking Mama seemed like more of a means to have the PR people talk about all its good points in an effort to respond. I expect we'll shortly see a glowing defence of this game from the publishers too.
The Bodybuilder
05/11/09 @ 10:53
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I was coming in here ready to moan about PETA and their animal rights-fascist ways, but after reading the antics of that circus, to be frank, I fully agree with PETA.

I'm no "animal-lover" (I am but not to PETA degrees), but the actions of the circus sound heinous.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 05/11/09 @ 10:55
kendoji
05/11/09 @ 10:55
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Well there are two sides to this. First of all, animal cruelty IN games - seeing as how most of us greatly enjoy shooting people in the face in games, I can't see how shooting animals in the face, or otherwise beating them, should be any worse. I'm a peace loving leftist vegetarian, but greatly enjoy shooting innocent people's heads off in GTA.

But that's not really the issue here - it's the fact that this game is linked to an organisation that may or may not be actually hurting animals in REAL LIFE. If that's true, then I absolutely see PETA's point.
GordonCaladan
05/11/09 @ 10:57
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Glad to see the majority of comments so far are reasonable and don't stoop to the levels of adolescent "criticism" against PETA generally seen on other gaming sites.
Joco84
05/11/09 @ 11:07
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Games that allow you to spank, shoot, throw, behead, skin or step on animals in-game = OK

Games whose profits pay real people who do the above = NOT OK

I fully support PETA in this
Mkwone
05/11/09 @ 11:11
#17
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I agree with their core philosophy.

The way they go about some of it however, directly funding terrorists and intimadating people is also wrong.

Anyway i'm off to eat a bacon butty
Sir_TimAlot
05/11/09 @ 11:16
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I killed a swan the other day...........did a shit on it...........
SAMagic
05/11/09 @ 11:25
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As people have said, the kneejerk reaction to this is "PETA ranting against the use of animals in anything as usual" but if the circus is actually guilty of animal cruelty then this is certainly valid.

@Sir_TimAlot: If you're in the UK you broke the law, swans are only allowed to die for the queen!
Edited 1 times, most recently on 05/11/09 @ 11:26
gjgjg
05/11/09 @ 11:39
#20
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PETA are a bit of a pain to the Animal Rights movement, they do as much harm as 'positive action'.
On this point they hit a positive *signs petition*

ps.Bring on the 12 monkeys!
Edited 1 times, most recently on 05/11/09 @ 11:40
BuckoA51
05/11/09 @ 11:44
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PETA are terrorists and kill animals, never pay attention to what they say. http://www.petakillsanimals.com/
Spooke
05/11/09 @ 11:51
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The problem is that PETA are such a stupid, ignorant and badly run organisation that no-one cares what they say anymore. In this case it looks like they are right but the other 95% of the time they shoot themselves in the foot.
Sunyavadin
05/11/09 @ 11:59
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Thing is, the overwhelming majority of everything PETA say is lies. So I really can't trust any claims they make.

They are a dangerous fanatical terrorist organisation and the sooner we crack down on their murderous ways the better.
Mentalist(air)
05/11/09 @ 12:01
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If PETA didn't spend so much of their time making false advertising claims trying to scare people into vegetarianism, then people might have more time for their campaigns that actually have merit (which this one admitedly looks like being).

As it stands, they can still go fuck themselves.
WallyWombat
05/11/09 @ 12:02
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@BuckoA51 You may not agree with everything PETA is about, but using that site hardly does any good as it is set up by the 'Center for Consumer Freedom' (which attacks anyone who criticises smoking, fast-food, or alcohol). More info on them here: http://www.consumerdeception.com


Anyway, you don't really need to have issues with PETA to be against circuses with exotic animals in them. Those that use them belong in the past, alongside the rotten zoos that would have animals in small iron bar cages with concrete floors.

The circuses that are good, are those such as 'Circus Oz' and as has already been mentioned 'Cirque du Soleil'.
Edited 2 times, most recently on 05/11/09 @ 12:07
wizbob
05/11/09 @ 12:15
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BuckoA51 05/11/09 @ 11:44 | #22

PETA are terrorists and kill animals, never pay attention to what they say. http://www.petakillsanmals.com/


Lazily googling some made-up rubbish to pointlessly smear a charity. I like your cancerous style.
sneetch
05/11/09 @ 12:20
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@Johnson
'Prolific'? Really?

Indeed. What does a baby circus look like? Sure it's not just a tent with a squirrel in it?
Sunyavadin
05/11/09 @ 12:23
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I like how the PETArds have already started doing what the Darkfailers tried here.
tinners
05/11/09 @ 12:49
#29
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Edit : - I think you mean World of Warcraft EG???

"in" ???

:P
kangarootoo
05/11/09 @ 12:51
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Wow, that video makes for quite shocking watching. There are clearly some very insecure individuals there who try and shore up their failing sense of manliness by repeatedly hitting an elephant with a stick when it is just standing there.

Its not like they were even forcing them to perform in some of the sections (which wouldn't make it ok, but perhaps a twisted sort of logic might exist). Those guys were clearly just hitting them for the pure joy of hitting them. Abuse of animals of that kind is a window in the mind of someone who is truly fucked in the head. I hope they don't have kids.

Give me 5 minutes with those fuckers, I wouldn't need a stick.
EarlBassett
05/11/09 @ 12:59
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"PETA are terrorists and kill animals, never pay attention to what they say"

Are you sure you're not thinking of ETA?
Oh, and they kill Spanish people not animals.
SG
05/11/09 @ 13:33
#32
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PETA are over-zealous twats. But Ringling Brothers are cunts and I'm with PETA on the association with Ringling Bros.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 05/11/09 @ 13:34
kangarootoo
05/11/09 @ 13:33
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"I like how the PETArds have already started doing what the Darkfailers tried here."

What, confuse you with proper grown up issues and reduce you to childish puns?
TonyHarrison
05/11/09 @ 13:39
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"I killed a swan the other day...........did a shit on it........... "

This is an outrage!
Hyoscine
05/11/09 @ 13:40
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"If even half of what PETA say is true, then I'm suprised that anyone who has ever owned a pet, would side with Ringling Bros over PETA. "

It isn't. Why assume that it is? If a respectable (and by respectable I mean honest in their intentions) animal rights organisation has something to say on this or any other matter, of course I'll listen. But PETA? No.

Obligatory link: http://www.petakillsanimals.com

@ WallyWombat - Yeah, the source on that site isn't a group I like to side with, but the facts they present are easily verified and should be enough to steer people towards genuine animal welfare groups.

@ wizbob - Wow. That is absolutely the unpleasant rhetoric of someone with nothing to back up what they're saying. Nice going.

@Joco84 - Spot on.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 05/11/09 @ 13:59
kangarootoo
05/11/09 @ 13:52
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@Hyoscine

Christ alive. You don't have to listen top PETA if you don't want to. But does that mean you will also ignore any issue that they have associated themselves with?

Go and look into Ringling Brothers yourself. Don't take PETA's word for it. Apply your own intellect.


And as for your obligatory link, are you even for a second suggesting that the organisation behind that website is "honest in their intentions"?
Fleeby
05/11/09 @ 14:08
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Why bother signing PETA's petition? I have had my name added to two PETA petitions in the last two days – without my knowledge, never mind my permission. They say when contacted that it must be an over-enthusiastic friend submitting them on my behalf. I'm not convinced but will give them the benefit of the doubt. Unless it continues. Perhaps they would be wise to validate any petition signings by asking you to confirm via an activation link in an e-mail. You know, acting like a professional organisation, etc.

In the meantime, received an amiable e-mail from the Portuguese Prime Minister today thanking me for my thoughts on the circuses in their country. Erm...
Hyoscine
05/11/09 @ 14:11
#38
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@ kangarooto - I know I'm free to ignore PETA, but as someone who cares deeply about about animal welfare, I find them to be a genuinely worrying organization. Of course I find the Ringling Brothers circus to be deplorable, but bringing this issue to people's attention shouldn't excuse PETA's own acts of animal cruelty.

As for the link, the intentions of those hosting it are irrelevant. The facts are there. Apply your own intellect.
OdinsEinherjer
05/11/09 @ 14:41
#39
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Daymare
05/11/09 @ 14:55
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""PETA Kills Animals" is a project of the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the full range of choices that American consumers currently enjoy. In addition to malicious animal-rights activists, we stand up to the "food police," environmental scaremongers, neo-prohibitionists, meddling bureaucrats, and other self-anointed saints who claim to "know what's best" for you."

Yeah, rights are all that matters; fuck responsibilities! Well, at least that's how children perceive the world.

Babies especially.



kangarootoo
05/11/09 @ 15:27
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@Hyoscine

"As for the link, the intentions of those hosting it are irrelevant. The facts are there. Apply your own intellect."

I absolutely agree, the intentions of the host are irrelevant. I was quoting from your earlier post saying that you weren't interested in what PETA had to say.

To be honest it sounds like we agree, which is more important in this instance than any internet forum scrapping :)




And can people stop posting that same link over and over. Trying to dismiss one bunch of fanatics by referencing another bunch of fanatics is just pollution of the senses.
Sunyavadin
05/11/09 @ 16:00
#42
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The thing is - how many people would seriously buy this game anyway? It'd be an almost unheard of one, with minimal advertising, which would show up in £1 bargain bins within the month.

HOWEVER - by kicking up a shitstorm, PETA give it PUBLICITY.

Having never heard of this circus before today, I honestly can't say how they treat their animals. A few unbiased news sources and I'm sure I'll make a decision, but as it stands, PETA endorsing anything, well...

It's kind of like headlines saying "Al-Quaeda say 20mph limits should be imposed on roads with schools!"
It damages a perfectly good cause by association.
kangarootoo
05/11/09 @ 16:22
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@Sunyavadin

I'm not sure it is good publicity though. I know the phrase "there is no such thing as bad publicity" sounds snappy, but it has always been bollox.


"Having never heard of this circus before today, I honestly can't say how they treat their animals. A few unbiased news sources and I'm sure I'll make a decision"

So the process has begun, and that is good is it not? You don't trust PETA to be objective, and I'm in agreement with you on that one. But surely without their initial shitstorm you wouldn't know about the issue at all.

You probably wouldn't buy the game anyway, its true. But now you definitely won't (I hope) and might also consider not eating at Pizza Hut in future.

Its not black and white, its not love PETA and want to kiss them or burn kittens instead of firewood. Its the end result that matters, and you don't need to make any allegiances along the way if you don't want to.
Eraysor
05/11/09 @ 16:28
#44
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PETALOL
sneetch
05/11/09 @ 17:23
#45
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@kangarootoo
Its not black and white, its not love PETA and want to kiss them or burn kittens instead of firewood.

/shivers
/looks at pile of kittens next to cold fireplace

Hmmmmmm.
kangarootoo
05/11/09 @ 17:28
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If the kittens are in a pile, its probably already too late for them ;)
Sunyavadin
05/11/09 @ 17:35
#47
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Incidentally...

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20...

Since a pet cat has almost the same carbon footprint as a Volkswagen Golf, Yes.
Yes, I do think it would be better used as an alternative to firewood. It's the environmentally friendly option.
Bennicus
05/11/09 @ 18:36
#48
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What a load of bullhooks
smelly
05/11/09 @ 19:01
#49
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I wasnt going to buy this game.. i will now

Screw you peta and all you stand for!
persus-9
06/11/09 @ 00:43
#50
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I decided to sign because I don't like real world violence against animals. However the form letter was very rubbish and clearly against the idea of a circus game involving animals and so failed to make the important disinction between gaming and real life. So I did some editing and came up with what I hope is something perhaps a few more of us can agree with: -

I've heard that Take-Two is partnering with Ringling Bros. to create a circus-themed video game. I've also heard Ringling has a long history of animal abuse and neglect. I've heard that to get elephants to perform, Ringling Bros. rips babies away from their mothers and stuffs them into poorly ventilated boxcars, forcing them to travel and perform for up to 50 weeks out of every year. I've heard that Elephants are beaten and gouged in the most sensitive parts of their bodies with metal-tipped bullhooks.

I'm not some PETA nutjob, I'm actually a big fan of many Take-Two published games. I just don't want the money I spend when buying your excellent games associated with what seems like a genuinely unethical company like Ringling Bros.

If you want to create a circus-themed game involving animals then that is fine by me but please don't team up with any company who make money by committing real life acts of animal cruelty. Thank you.

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