Senator Volker Urges Parents And Educators To Boycott Cop Killing Video Game

(ALBANY, NY) Senator Dale M. Volker (R-C-I, Depew) today urged parents, educators and concerned citizens of New York State to boycott a video game called "25 to Life" which rewards the video gamer for killing cops and uses pedestrians as human shields. Additionally, Senator Volker has also created and on-line petition that will be sent to Eidos-maker of "25 to Life", as well as PlayStation manufacturer Sony and Xbox maker Microsoft to cancel their licensing agreements with Eidos. Senator Volker is also urging stores and retailers not to carry the game.

"As a former police officer, I really have a problem with a video game that rewards the gamer points to kill cops in order to move up in stature within their "crime gang" and in the context of the game," said Senator Dale M. Volker, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Codes. "What we are doing is desensitizing our children to behavior that is completely unacceptable and potentially leading our next generation to behavior that is destructive and criminal. Teenagers, during their formative years, are extremely susceptible to varying behavioral changes. All one has to do is look at the teenage murderers who perpetrated the Columbine massacre, who were addicted to violent video games, and see why we must do what we can to protect our children from companies who make hundreds of millions of dollars from our children’s vulnerabilities. As a society, do we really want to develop our children to be the next generation of criminals?"

On a website that promotes the "25 to Life" video game, and gives a raving positive review said, "25 to Life is the game the streets have been waiting for. Play as either cops or gangsters, in this urban action third person shooter. The game delivers intense Online gameplay for up to 16 players, as well as a rich single player experience. Set in the heart of today’s cities, experience the gritty lifestyles of police task forces or as a gangster survive the local neighborhood thugs while fighting your way up the ranks. Bust out of prison, or infiltrate the inner sanctum of the drug lord’s mansion, your knowledge of the streets will be put to the test because… 25 to Life IS the streets!"

Senator Volker said, "I am urging that all parents, educators, and concerned citizens take it upon themselves to boycott this video game. If your child already has the game, please monitor your children and make sure that they understand the real life ramifications of the inappropriate behavior demonstrated in the video game and what that illegal behavior could have on their future."

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