25 to Life gets more flack
This time from Taser charity.
Eidos' forthcoming PC, PS2 and Xbox gangbanger 25 to Life has come under yet more fire - this time from charity organisation the Taser Foundation.
It was set up by the makers of the Taser stun gun last year to give grants to the families of police officers killed in the line of duty, and has donated $560,000 so far.
Taser Foundation director Gerry Anderson is angry that 25 to Life, which is based around the ongoing battle between crims and cops, features a Taser-like weapon as part of the police arsenal. It's not an actual Taser as such since the name is trademarked.
"Games such as this actually dehumanise police," Anderson says.
"They trivialise the real danger and risks that police officers face every day." Anderson also complains that the game presents a negative image of law enforcement officials.
Anderson's comments follow earlier criticisms of 25 to Life by a US senator, who is asking retailers not to stock the game, and legal analyst Nancy Grace. You can read the full story here.
Eidos is sticking to its guns (or indeed Tasers) on this one, stating once again: "Eidos believes that video games are a creative art form and we produce a wide range of content aimed at various age groups including games specifically targeted for the over-18 player.
"On the issue of who should be allowed to purchase our products, we have a very strict two tier rating system in the UK to send a clear signal to both customers and retailers as to the appropriate audience for each game.
"25 to Life will have a BBFC 18+ rating, which means that it is illegal to sell it to anyone under that age; retailers face a £5,000 fine and up to six months in prison if they do so."
25 to Life is out in the UK next spring.