The game is for adults, with an 18 certificate.
What does research on video games affecting CHILDREN have to do with a game aimed at people who are ADULTS?

Also, Stefan Pakeerah had a copy of manhunt, the killer did not, and the police denied Manhunt was related to the murder.

Thanks for the bias.

Luke, Nottingham, UK

The best part of this is the people that claim GTA to be the spawn of Satan have never actually played these games, it smacks of bandwagon jumping, hypocritical sensasionalism from a few pathetic "experts" who want their 5 minutes of fame. They should stop trying to interfere in other people's lives

Andrew, London,

As soon as I get GTA IV I will immediately be overcome with the desire to destroy everything and everyone, and subsequently myself.

Constant reminders of Climate Change, being told what to eat, the cost of petrol, eco tax, the ousting of smokers and other everyday 'issues' only make me happier

Mike Deathray, Manchester, England

I'm sick of "scientists" and "researchers" who bag on this game saying the violence corrupts our youth. Most of the critics haven't even played GTA, too! Also, where are the people complaining about violent films and other forms of entertainment? Heck, if you don't like violence go protest real war

John, Opeth, US

Way to misrepresent the game and the issues attached to it. Adults need to stop typecasting all gamers as screwed up misfits, addicts, and criminals. It is the responsibility of parents to raise their children and teach them about the realities of death, violence, sex, etc., not a fictional game.

Zane, Chicago, USA

Grand Theft Auto IV - Another indication that western civilization is in decline. When completely immoral and illegal acts are glorified and made to be entertainment, instead of rejected by the consuming public, we know that our once great western society is decaying. You people are sick!

rockn, Somerset, USA

The people who will be queueing up for their copy of GTA at midnight will bear no resemblance to those who hang around on street corners causing trouble and provoking violence. Out of all the people who buy this game how many do you think will kill somebody? Not enough to tie the blame on this game.

Gary, Nottingham, United Kingdom

The people who will be queueing up for their copy of GTA at midnight will bear no resemblance to those who hang around on street corners causing trouble and provoking violence. Out of all the people who buy this game how many do you think will kill somebody? Not enough to tie the blame on this game.

Gary, Nottingham, United Kingdom

I'm 15 years old. I have been playing GTA series since i was 9 with my older brother who at the time was nearly 20. We played GTA3 and bonded alot. Its been 6 years since i have play my first GTA and im a great student and in honors classes. I play mostly mature games. Its just a game.

Andrei Shubin, Nyack, United States

To say one "takes part" is a laughable analogy; video games are simply a story telling medium which, like books and movies, often call upon disagreeable motifs to evoke catharsis. Many respected artists were once vilified in the same manner only to win high praise in later generations.

Erik, Rockford, United States

wait are we missing something here...everyone goes on about films. But in films you don't take part , you do in games. The moral conduct of film characters is not the responsibility of the viewer. In games you are put into that position, further more you are rewarded for doing the complete opposite

victor Martinez, london, uk

The scientist responsible for the garbage regarding "forming personality" can be discounted. Most of the older gaming generation are in our 30's or older, we know its scaremongering nonsense. Infact most of the concerns surrounding this game can be summed up with 2 words "responsible parenting".

Silver Fox, London,

They say it for adults but me and all my friends are getting it and we are 13 year old. we just ask are parents who have no idea about the game and they buy it for us.i cannot belive that people think that because we shot and kill police officer in the game that we will do it in real life.

Lewis, Edinburgh , United Kingdom

I have always been interested in watching violence on TV or playing violent PC games . Always curious to absorb my senses in that "other world", as a form of escapism. Never had a fight in my life. I am a 37 year old primary school teacher and I have no problem with over 18s playing these games.

tommy rok, bristol, england

This game is made for ADULTS not children I don't know how often this needs to be said.

Gaming is not just for kids and the reason the likes of Clinton et all don't realise this is because this is the first generation of adults to be exposed to games as evolved as the likes of GTA4.

paul rayment, leeds,

Times morphing into the Mail?
Why are films like Goodfellas praised as art whilst video games are seen as catalyst to violent behaviour?
Because the 'experts' don't understand it, I bet the people criticising have not played a minute of the game.

Owen, Cardiff,

So we have movies such as SAW, Scream and Freddy vs Jason... but the bad parents sit back and complain about this. Let me tell you, that if you critisize this game, you dont deserve to be a parent. This game is made for adults, not for kids. If they get their hands on a copy it is YOUR FAULT.

Grant, London, UK

It is just a game, you see stuff like this in movies and on tv so what makes them any different? Its far easier for someone under 18 to turn on thier tv and watch something like this or download it than buy the game.

Aaron, oxford,

The quote from Clinton and the 'supposed' scientific studies from those professors brought tears to my eyes, hilarity ensued.

I wish it were politically incorrect to denigrate the gaming industry in the media, perhaps then we'd get two sides to the argument, as opposed to these reams of hogwash.

Farore, Melbourne, Australia

Stefan Pakeerah who was murdered was the owner of the game Manhunt and it was found in their room, the killer did not own a copy, nor was it ever proved that he had played it.

Mark, Bristol, England

Obviously before computer games, nobody killed, maimed or burgled...obviously!!!!!

People that look to computer games as a scapegoat need a reality check. It's the same kind that blame music and lyrics on a persons actions.

Rob Lewis, Norfolk, UK

It wouldnt be so bad if only the 18+ played these games but unfortunately more and more parents are allowing children as young as 5 to play these games. There is nothing being done to these parents and so the blame falls onto the people that created the game in the first place.

Julie, Essex,

Children are innocents and why rush to take that away? They use to see police as good people not evil. What on earth are we teaching them?
As adults we know the difference between right and wrong, im not sure that a young child fully understands and these games are not helping them learn either

Julie, Essex,

i think ive played every grand theft auto game, and as far as i know ive never commited a crime portrayed in the game in real life( or any other crime)
how come, games like pro evolution soccer are blamed for kids not playing outside, and then violent games are blamed for murders!?
hypocrisy

will, grimsby, england

I definately agree with Phill's post about the fact that a person must already be inclined to commit crimes. Perhaps playing a game such as GTA may give them some "inspiration", but I cannot and will not believe that violent games drive normal people to commit violent crime.

Dan, Leeds, UK

Ok...a kid who killed another kid was a frequent game where he could kill people......hmmm, killers like to play games where they kill people? Shocking. I guess if we ban these games people with violent tendencies will go away! I hear before they even invented electricity that violence was nill...

Snall, New York,

Like anything designed for entertainment, this game will do no harm in moderation. Quite why it is slated so much is hard to say. I for one am eagerly anticipating the arrival of my pre-ordered copy, but still lead a balanced, healthy, productive and non violent life as a postgraduate law student!

Ben A, Manchester, UK

My kids have grown up on a diet of violent games, as I did. I dont believe a game will make a person go out and break the law, I believe you already have to be that way inclined in the first place.
Never been in trouble with the police and certainly not unhinged in any way.

Phill, The Wirral, England