Right. That's it. It had to happen today, didn't it? You couldn't leave us be for five minutes, could you?
Hours after we stumble across evidence that Alan Titchmarsh - the high priest of anti-gaming hoopla - is rubbing his fingers all over a console and bloody loving it, someone has to lollop in and spoil all the fun.
Predictably, that 'someone' had to be Anne sodding Diamond and Matthew numpting Wright.
If you're not familiar with chunky/thin/chunky/thin Anne, she's the Celebrity Fit Club cheat who was briefly famous for being Roland Rat's co-presenter in the late '80s. Now she makes her coin writing housewife-scaring guff about being chunky/thin/chunky/thin in the Daily Mail - and billowing the stench of her opinions into Wright's gleefully oafish face on FIVE.
You may remember that back in 2008, Anne gifted us some am-I-still-in-a-job-boss-brilliant reviews of violent software in the Mail, in which she noted Dead Or Alive's "gravity-defying breasts" and said she was "stabbed to death with pitchforks amid fountains of my own blood" in Resident Evil 4.
(Unbelievably, neither of these were listed as a plus point. There was no score either, which suggests Anne took her cue from one of those artsy games sites from big America.)
What's all this got to do with video games in 2011? Anne's back, baby - castigating interactive entertainment alongside simple-stare encouragement monkey Wright. And guess what? The result is every bit as codswallop-rich as you'd expect.
Except this time, we've had enough. The line is being drawn. Today, we fight back. Today, CVG launches W.R.O.N.G - a concerted campaign to stop (or at least loudly mock) the Witless and Ridiculous Opinions Of Non-Gamers.
Anyone who opens their mouth on national TV, in the papers or at a major publicly-attended event and chats absolute bull about our hobby, we're badgering you - and badging you. We'll collect up our group of W.R.O.N.G'uns throughout the year, and give you lot a leaderboard to point and giggle at around Christmas time. Imagine it. It'll be all festive and that.
So, why are Matthew and Anne in the firing line this time? More importantly, how could the woman who inspired so many unemployed semi-ons in 1988 be our very first badge lady for W.R.O.N.G?
Because of yesterday's The Wright Stuff on Channel 5.
On the show, Wright invited long-forgotten US actress Stefanie 'Fading' Powers to talk about the tragic murder of 16-year-old Agnes Sina-Inakoju in Hackney, London last year - for which two 20-something gang members were tried and jailed for life this week.
Presumably, Fading Powers' lead role in knockabout sitcom Hart To Hart from about 20 years ago makes her a perfect candidate to dissect the subject and and offer informed insight. We don't work in TV, so we can't really say. No expertise, no comment. It's a good rule.
The broadcast conversation moved onto to today's sad tabloid story that a young boy (some reports say a teenager, some a nine-year-old) stored the weapons for the two gang members under his bed before the shooting occurred.
Here is what ensued on FIVE/Channel 5's Wright Stuff from there in on, verbatim:
Matthew Wright: It was one of the most shocking news reports I've ever seen. That someone could peddle up, take his machine gun out and spray people [with bullets], almost without looking at who he was hitting. [Turns to Powers]: But I guess as an American, you've seen more than your fair share of teenagers and gun stories.
Stefanie Powers: I'm afraid so. And I hate to think that as Americans we've exported along with rap music and the horrible video... I say the horrible video culture. It's the horrible violent video games [wiggles thumbs] which, I'm terribly sorry, they've been used far too long as baby-sitting devices, so that children are raised with these flashing, hot symbols of violence. And irresponsible violence; there's no responsibility to the violence.
MW: Absolutely. Which you can equate with a teenage boy who almost certainly would have played just those games, spraying a machine gun without...
Anne Diamond: Well in fact, having just that sort of armoury under his bed - just like you'd have a couple of Nintendos and a PlayStation under your bed.
MW: Yep. Yep.
SP: And it's probably that emotionally he's just as detached from the potential of this as he would be with his Nintendo.
MW: I agree. And maybe we should talk about the shoot-'em-up games again tomorrow in the light of this, because I think you're dead right.
No, Matthew, no you shouldn't. If Fading Powers was "dead right", I'll eat my R2 trigger finger. Perhaps - just perhaps - factors other than old Ice-T records and 'Nintendos' play into the horrific gang violence seen in the papers this week. And while we're at it, a teenager did not "spray a machine gun" at any point in the story you're referring two. A pair of gang members, aged 21 and 22, have been convicted. If you're going to lazily tie video games to a tragedy to feed the rabid ignorance of your slovenly audience, at least get the most basic of facts correct. Muppet.
And Anne! Oh, Anne. What in all of Skyrim were you talking about? Were you genuinely juxtaposing the cutesy idea of a young boy storing unwanted video games consoles under his bed with the image of him concealing a stash of machine guns? Why? Seriously, though. Why? How could that image possibly help any one us understand this horrendous crime any better?
Or were you suggesting - and the conversation surrounding your comment suggests this could actually, incredibly be true - that video games hardware inspired the idea of a weaponry hidey-hole? Who keeps 'Nintendos' under their bed anyway? Honestly, Anne, your Resi 4 review made more sense than this.
Please, please, please... next time just say nothing. Zip. Nada. Because now and forever more, you're associating yourselves with some of the worst perpetrators of video games-related idiocy we've ever seen. You look foolish. And it isn't cool.
And for those who perhaps believe we should just "let these insignificant idiots be", I hear you. But here's a quick fact: The Matthew Wright Show pulls in approximately 750,000 viewers a day. That's comparable to the entire number of gamers who bought Halo: Reach in the UK last year.
It ain't right. And that means there's only one word for it.
Comments
125 comments so far...
El Mag on 14 Apr '11 said:
I'm in, i'll s**t on their doorsteps and somebody else sets it on fire and knocks.
rbt2 on 14 Apr '11 said:
At a quick glance, I thought the thread title said 'Please stop talking b*****ks'.
How apt.
amazingdweezo on 14 Apr '11 said:
dear lord...........
anything else to be linked in a negative way to gaming? we have had rape, now murder(again)
my bet is that the economic crisis in the uk is the next thing gamers are responsible for
Bloody morons
Gambini on 14 Apr '11 said:
This is the best article on CVG for a looooooong time. Fully support your campaign, well said, Tim.
...and Matthew Write was a knob before he made those comments.
PS360MAN on 14 Apr '11 said:
Absolutely foooking in. On my Facebook now. Bang.
StonecoldMC on 14 Apr '11 said:
Kudos CVG. Brilliant idea and about bloody time we show these WRONG'ins that were not standing for this nonsense anymore.
We have Elections up here in Scotland in May. I'd vote for you, fancy standing?
boskersrevenge on 14 Apr '11 said:
Hahaha, they're all so bloody inconsequential.
The_Jaster on 14 Apr '11 said:
The thing is they aren't meant to be used like that at all no form of entertainment is & there in lies the problem that it is in fact a social problem & absolutely nothing to do with Video games whatsoever.
Great Article CVG they are indeed W.R.O.N.G
rbt2 on 14 Apr '11 said:
Anne gifted us some am-I-still-in-a-job-boss-brilliant reviews of violent software in the Mail, in which she noted Dead Or Alive's "gravity-defying breasts" and said she was "stabbed to death with pitchforks amid fountains of my own blood" in Resident Evil 4.
That'll always be the dream, Anne.
dcman on 14 Apr '11 said:
I think that's the most entertaining post I've read on a website all year - and I completely agree with you CVG.
kezza1986 on 14 Apr '11 said:
I have registered to CVG solely to post on this story (dont worry though im here every day - just dont post)
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU for sticking up for our industry/hobby. I'm SICK of stupid narrow minded to**ers having no idea about it and offering their opinions as fact.
It has to stop. Who the HELL does that fat piece of sh*t think she is to preach to 750,000 people and condemn an industry which employs thousands upon thousands of talented designers, coders, sound designers, artists, actors, producers, writers....
It makes me so bloody angry!!
sonic_uk on 14 Apr '11 said:
Man, that d*** wright should have been banned from national media years ago. I can't imagine watching anything worse than his hypocritical, propaganda spreading, trash spinning show (except maybe the Direct Line adverts).
I'm glad Cvg are finally doing something about this but much much more needs to done to combat the blatant lies being spread by media by people who havnt got the first clue what they're talking about. Enough is enough. Why isn't there a national games lobby to counter the ridiculous claims and allegations the media spread around pretty much on a daily basis about our peaceful pastime? Education for the ignorant is the best way to combat propaganda so why is it not being done?
sonic_uk on 14 Apr '11 said:
Sorry, double post.
dragonjim on 14 Apr '11 said:
Lord help us when Duke Nukem Forever is released, these vultures will hound us for months.
lordirongut on 14 Apr '11 said:
This is the best thing that anyone has ever written. WRONG has my full support.
Balladeer on 14 Apr '11 said:
CVG just got angry. And for good reason. Behind you all the way, chaps.
gmcb007 on 14 Apr '11 said:
Count me in. The Irony I love about these walts is the fact that they are TV washouts. Who the hell watches a talkshow on channel 5 anyways? They are just words and cause no impact on society at all. Anything to fill up time and try to look somewhat important. Not like theres any pressing issues out there right now.
Windowlicker79 on 14 Apr '11 said:
This stuff really gets on my nerves.
How can anyone seriously think that playing video games could in any way cause someone to decide to go and buy a machine gun and shoot someone else? Or rape someone? Or commit any other crime? These people are clearly just evil or mentally unstable. It seems that blame always has to be put on something or someone else. Can't we just accept the fact that there are bad, deranged people out there?
Is there a Facebook page for this? I think that would be a great way to show support for it.
PandyBear on 14 Apr '11 said:
I'm all over this like bird s**t on a Ford Sierra
Its so Wright, its WRONG 
ho ho
treesmurf 11 on 14 Apr '11 said:
It's a well known fact that people only began developing illnesses since that irresponsible Trauma Centre game was released, setting a bad example for kids.
a3HeadedMonkey on 14 Apr '11 said:
That was a truly entertaining article.
What complete dopes these people are. Bunch of W.R.O.N.G'uns.
JD_Method on 14 Apr '11 said:
WRONG has my support. Shared it on Facebook and set the logo as my profile picture.
ukdruid on 14 Apr '11 said:
This message needs to be spread to all corners of the web, im sure we can get more than 750.000 gamers to support this great cause, let them know theres a line they cannot cross, or else face our wrath.
So, spread the word people!!
captainy2g on 14 Apr '11 said:
it is apparent to me that these imbeciles have never actually played some games like legend of zelda, little big planet, super mario brothers to see the lighter side of gaming yes I will admit such as life gaming does have a darker side that is why all games with ultra violent content have BBFC classificaction on them so that people under age don't buy them.
The question becomes how do they get hold of them...(cough parents) I will again admit I tried to get my mum to buy the original Grand Theft Auto for me when I was 13 but she said that she had to see that I was responsible enough to understand it was fiction.
People like Anne Diamond and Matthew Wright obviously have no clue what the gaming world is really like so in closing I say to them how about you take a look at the gaming world as a whole rather than just the more adult content which is meant for adults!!!
Desert Fox on 14 Apr '11 said:
Spot on. That is all.
gothchild on 14 Apr '11 said:
Meh, it's just petty reactionary voices fearing social collapse in anything they can get their hands on, so can sell a paper or broadcast some bull by spreading moral panics.
It's nothing new, it's been going on in this country since before the Victorians, video games are just the latest target in a culture which has conservative technophobes.
Cambridge degree is paying for itself...
djreplay on 14 Apr '11 said:
"they've been used far too long as baby-sitting devices"
TheLastDodo on 14 Apr '11 said:
Oh dear, who let Anonymous take over CVG?
Joking aside, I'm in, how much do I get paid?
Ali_ on 14 Apr '11 said:
750,000 viewers, sure. But that's 750,000 knuckledragging, mouth breathing, drooling, dole scrounging morons. You could tell them to vote for Colonel Gadaffi in the next UK elections, on a daytime talkshow, and they would.
Tingham on 14 Apr '11 said:
You legends. Huge props to TheDreadLordJim for the tip-off. Now, go multiply!
rikkicm on 14 Apr '11 said:
Anne Diamond go eat your gastric band and Matthew Wright go ruin another tv presenters life with a false rape allegation you stupid b*****d and I would say i'd stop watching channel 5 but I don't watch the same genric bulls**t that Sky don't even want to broadcast on Pick TV
ricflair on 14 Apr '11 said:
I actually quite like Matthew Wright, for a daytime TV presenter anyway - plus he's a Bonnie 'Prince' Billy fan. Anne Diamond's annoying, although grown men taking the mick out of her weight isn't the best way to make gaming seem like a perfectly normal adult past time.
I agree in principal though, but games' time in the spot light shall pass. Just as rap/explicit lyrics and films like 'Child's Play' have.
Beyond getting slightly annoyed at some of the assumptions people make about the negative impact of gaming, I can't say that a single thing any of these people have ever said has ever effected me, or me playing games, in any single way.
shaunl13 on 14 Apr '11 said:
I would love to place (carefully) a used tampon from a zombies womb (ive been playing dead rising) up wrights nose and then uppercut (street fighter) it so he and the tampon become one. sorry ive just been playing far too many violent games recently. but I would still like to do it. pratt.
Meta-Knight on 14 Apr '11 said:
The lack of common sense in the quoted conversation is amazing.
arjuan12 on 14 Apr '11 said:
Does this show have call ins? Because this guy needs to here a gaming argument from more than one bulls**t perspective!!!!
Gaseous Snake on 14 Apr '11 said:
It's on my PS3 comment, and I'm behind you 100%. We need to make this official and start striking or something, like UNITE.
Gamers UNITE against WRONG individuals, and tell them to f**k off.
Don't ask what f**k stands for, please, because then I'd have to make something up.
moogiesboy on 14 Apr '11 said:
chill Cvg. Nobody watches the Wright show, we're all watching Jeremy Kyle
Si-Smith on 14 Apr '11 said:
"Nintendos and a PlayStation" is CVG p*ssed off because they didn't say xbox's to? LoL
GlynCR on 14 Apr '11 said:
games don't kill people nutters do!!
blame the f**king parents for f**ks sake there the t**ts that buy there stupid kids cod and gta and then complain
and matthew wright can fall on a spike rat looking wanker and the less said about miss piggy the better fat/thin bitch (not sure which she is right now)
i suppose they're gonna blame everything thats happening in libya on gta next
Randy Lahey on 14 Apr '11 said:
Unfortunately on a show like this gaming is never going to get a fair chance, if a gamer was to ring in a make a fair argument the presenters would likely push their buttons with nonsense statements getting a reaction from the gamer proving the point of the presenter.
MW2 BUCKSHOT on 14 Apr '11 said:
They mock us gamers till they try it what a bunch of morons. Who are to judge us they don't diddly squat
KK-Headcharge78 on 14 Apr '11 said:
Give me the addresses and I'll kill their kids........
.... and then blame it on GTA.
f**king idiots wouldn't know a social consequence if it bummed them.
MW2 BUCKSHOT on 14 Apr '11 said:
They should not mock us gamers as they don't have a clue what it is like to play games.
The only they play is kiss chase people like these are do no gooders they should find other things to winge about like their ages
adam-ell on 14 Apr '11 said:
Thanks to Nintendogs I thought it would be perfectly safe to pick up my dog with a rope and launch it across my living room.
Needless to say it died. Thanks video games.
panicattack111 on 14 Apr '11 said:
Matthew Wright has been taken to court in the past for giving a bad review for a play he had never seen so its no surprise thats he's now talking about another subject that he knows nothing about.
adam7651 on 14 Apr '11 said:
this is so facebooked, its about time someone did something and i shall and CVG shall be at my side
nothing shall stop us i bet they shall blame games for Japan and Mr Moat got his idea from GTA oh....wait damn sun or News of the world took my idea 
newsinthefield on 14 Apr '11 said:
There is a reason why Anne Diamond and Matthew Wright are at the bottom of the pile when it comes to commentary on recent events. Any seasoned commentator knows that accusing the video game industry is hideously cliché. Any seasoned commentator foolish enough to attempt to link murder and video games would be ripped apart -- and rightfully so -- by his/her counterparts.
DavrosJ on 14 Apr '11 said:
Over reacting to idiots talking pish isn't the best way to stick up for gamers. The same stigma has been applied to everything from cinema to classical art - as games ARE a new and interesting form of media, they will long outlast the ignorant era they have been born within. Our children will grow up knowing daddy plays COD or GTA, and that daddy is a chartered accountant...
mitch91 on 14 Apr '11 said:
I actually watched the program today as they were discussing violent games when I flicked on to it, and they had calls from several gamers who put their point of view across- so you're wrong on that point.
While I agree that TV programs like this do seem to have an agenda against games, where else is the issue going to be discussed? I can tell you for one its not going to be on sites like this, where childish insults seem to rule and people only ever look at these issues from one point of view.
I disagree with the fact that violent games cause violence, but they can certainly have other effects- for example on attention spans and sensitivity to violence. However, nobody in the gaming industry is going to admit this because the mainstream media would feast on it with certain glee. Its a vicious circle: the more aggressive the media is the more defensive the industry becomes in response.
As far as I'm concerned the vast majority of violent games do deserve scrutiny because the way the violence is handled is, for want of a better word, dumb. Take World at War for example, do the soldiers' legs really need to pop off when they're shot in the chest? Or the airport scene in MW2, the way it fits in with the story and the fact that you've never played as this character before extinguishes any emotional or intellectual justification, meaning it comes of more as a piece of publicity bait.
I'm digressing, the point is games are going to continue to be presented like this until they grow up a bit and are fully accepted into mainstream culture.
Very_Silver_Ownz on 14 Apr '11 said:
You go cvg defend our hobby. you have my support as well.
DeVilliers on 14 Apr '11 said:
Matthew wright has no credibility whatsoever. Neither of them do to be honest but him especially. A number of years ago he reviewed a play and gave it a rather poor review. It was discovered he had never seen the play but reviewed it anyway.
Of course after that he gets a job where people tune in to listen to his opinions. Laughable.
adgr19 on 14 Apr '11 said:
I respect what you're doing cvg, i've had a s**t list for a while now and i urge everyone to do the same and stick to it.
In most cases it seems they're just trying to get hits and publicity, I guess when you're ratings are as low as the Wright stuff and Alan Titchmarshs' are you have to get your awareness anyway you can.
Barca Azul on 14 Apr '11 said:
I've a better idea for tomorrow's show!
Lazy journalism, sweeping generalisations and non factual stereotypes.
I'd support the cause, but I refuse to sign up to social media!
Things is, no one listens to these idiots anyway. Its not like its philipa Forester or anything!
Imaduck on 14 Apr '11 said:
This list is a brilliant idea. How do morons like them even get viewers?! I guess it's just braindead housewives for the most part but come on man.
I loved the "couple of Nintendos under your bed" bs. Ye there's a couple of "alchohols" and "drugs" under there too right? At least pretend you no what you're talking about! These people are just so full of s**t. Are they both yanks or just one of them? Either way, they're sharing a braincell.
davidjgibson on 14 Apr '11 said:
Facebooked!
hi0marc on 14 Apr '11 said:
Love the name. Let it commence! Ill just hide my mountains of guns, cocaine and dead hookers then we'll get started.
flash501 on 14 Apr '11 said:
Can't really argue with anything you've written there. Good post.
I have one question about these people, however. Are they aware that these ultra violent games that are having such a negative effect on our youngsters are for over 18's only?
If they don't, they truly are beyond ignorant. If they do, why oh why aren't they asking the obvious question: "WHY THE HELL ARE THEIR PARENTS ALLOWING THEM TO PLAY 18 RATED GAMES???"
jamie1 on 14 Apr '11 said:
Yes the Ignorance of these two is rather sickening. They are a pair of biased jokes that are far from funny. Unless they have put in at least 10 hours of gaming they can keep there little mouths shut, and opinions kept in that small grey matter they call brains, because they clearly have nothing worthwhile or constructive to say.
alan666 on 14 Apr '11 said:
i'm surprised she could have her mouth open long enough for words to come out before one of her hands shoved a piece of cake into it, fat bitch !
thecresta on 14 Apr '11 said:
I had to stop playing Dead Rising recently due to overwhelming necrophilic urges.
markyR on 14 Apr '11 said:
Who's Mathew Wright?? Bar a t**t of course. Sigh, I've said it many many many many many many times before so I'll say it again.
If we didn't have dead bodies and people being blown up and shot and blasted to hell DAILY ALL DAY 24 HOURS A f**king DAY ON EVERY news channel then maybe children would not accept violence so much.
It makes me sick what you see on the news and then these utter clueless hypocrites blame computer games!!
Oh but then again it's damn easy to criticize a different industry isn't it? Quid Pro Quo presenters, and hypocrisy never wins...
Dajmin on 14 Apr '11 said:
Count me in. Few things bug me more than tenuous links between essentially unrelated subjects, made by brainless people with no clue what they're talking about.
The very bottom line is this: there were murders and rapes and violence LONG before there was TV and movies and video games and rock music. It's human nature to be f*cking mental. Crazy people will always find a way to be crazy.
My opinion is that video games can delay any major event, by providing an outlet. Take out your anger on strangers, ignore the mess of your real life by getting lost in another world for a bit, overcome your awkward social dysfunction by interacting with faceless people in an online setting.
Lets make it a game of percentages. Out of the hundreds of millions of copies of Call of Duty and Gears of War and Killzone and GTA and whatever, how many of those players have gone on to do something that could even be interpreted as "influenced" by in-game actions? One in every hundred thousand? One in a million? Proving, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that the games are not the issue.
djreplay on 14 Apr '11 said:
Tim tried to put this point across when he was on Titchmarsh's show, however they dodged the question after realizing they are responsible for what there children play.
conceptwhite_fox on 14 Apr '11 said:
...so what are your views on movies? Everything you said can so easily be applied to the movie industry as a whole, EVERYTHING! From box office 'blockbuster' nonsense to B movies, violence has always been there.
Moorpheus on 15 Apr '11 said:
I actually had the displeasure of watching the show in which this came up.
Was watching with a fellow gamer at the time and we both tore them to shreds as soon as it happened.
Go CVG!
The Bossman on 15 Apr '11 said:
Absolutely right, fully behind CVG on this. Get rid of these so called experts who know nothing about games and forever pick holes in them, whilst attempting to shamelessly tack them onto a gang murder(s). Games have nothing to do with it you utter plebs.
JoWoo on 15 Apr '11 said:
Referring two?
Methinks the production editor needs to take another look at this one.
boonattack on 15 Apr '11 said:
ah yes.. because all crimes must be associated to video games.
The yorkshire ripper was a hardcore pacman player i suppose.
Hmm.. that must mean time travel must of been invented at some point also... you know so Jack the Ripper could play gta8 back in london 1800s.
Get a grip.
Funny theres no mention of video games when its not youth who do the crimes isnt it. Like the recent Cumbrian killings by Derrick Bird - no of course not. Some people are just sick/mental individuals, and some are just plain evil. Humans have killed each other since humans have existed, or did these people not get educated in history.
I hope CVG are the first of many games related companies to hit back over these rediculous comments made by these ignorant, self-important individuals. Otherwise, gaming as we know it could be seriously damaged in the not too distant future .
r0zm4n on 15 Apr '11 said:
I think this is article is:
A.W.E.S.O.M.E.
and Tim, you've been my fave columnist for an age now, isn't it time you got your own show on Channel 4?
veato on 15 Apr '11 said:
If you disagree with Wright and Diamond then let them know wrightstuff@channel5.com
Make it articulate though. Saying "YOU DUNT KNOW NUFFIN BRUV INNIT." isn't going to do our reputation any favours.
rbt2 on 15 Apr '11 said:
Wish you'd told me that earlier.
I've already emailed Matthew telling him he's a know nuffink caaaaaaaaant!
TykerD3 on 15 Apr '11 said:
Ann Diamond is a C**t. What does she know about gaming. SLAG.
Ninja Wolfman on 15 Apr '11 said:
Video and Home Computing has been in the home for now 30 years +, and it is now only we start hearing all this trash, I'm afraid this is what is it nowadays on TV and in the press, what about facebook???, there have been people killed using that site, but has that been slagged off, has it hell, what a load of old b*****ks I say.
veato on 15 Apr '11 said:
I sent this. Not that it would make a shred of difference.
STE MO on 15 Apr '11 said:
FFS what is it with these people. Think we should pertition 5ive to get this s**t off of our TV.
zombiesinmyhead on 15 Apr '11 said:
Did anyone else get turned on by that?
slimify d on 15 Apr '11 said:
personally i think they did give one plus point in that article "flashing, hot symbols of violence" they are by far the best symbols of violence.
i found it very very funny that the seemed to want to use nintendo as the murderers consoles of choice, because nintendo were tried so hard to cover that up with mundane adverts showing terry wogan having a merry jaunt on his DS whereas the truth is a whole lot more gory
slimify d on 15 Apr '11 said:
LOL i was tempted to start my post along those lines!!
Mark240473 on 15 Apr '11 said:
I think she is right.
I was innocently playing Flower last week, and later that day, without reason, I must have trod on at least 15 daffodils whilst taking my daughter for a walk in the park.
I now live with this guilt everyday and it almost feels like Anne Diamond is literally sat on my shoulders.
I often wonder if Bernard Matthews got his Chicken fetish from playing too much Zelda.
It makes you think.
Balladeer on 15 Apr '11 said:
My response:
siddy.g on 15 Apr '11 said:
i agree with them, back in the day i was at oxford on my way to becoming a politician but one night i foolishly played a bit of gta in a friends dorm, now i spend my nights loitering truck stops wearing a prostitutes head as a mask waiting for victims, if only i never played gta
rbt2 on 15 Apr '11 said:
My reply...
Dear sir/madam,
Wadda buncha wankas you all are.
Sincerely..
OriginalJonty on 15 Apr '11 said:
So the battle lines have been drawn.. Gamers, put down your fanboy flags and unite under this new banner. No more shall we squabble amongst ourselves over whose consoles or exclusives are better. No more shall forums erupt into flame wars over graphics. No more shall we be douches towards each other. No! Today we unite to combat ignorance! Today we shall be heard! Today we shall fly the flag of W.R.O.N.G!
Balladeer on 15 Apr '11 said:
That'll show them.
regeneration64 on 15 Apr '11 said:
What a great article, one of the best I have read on CVG in a long time. This campaign needs to be supported.
Clearly people are entitled to their own opinions but these opinions cannot really count for much when the people giving these opinions have never engaged in the said activity. I play games - a LOT - so I feel that my opinion is worth something here.
I'm an adult and play all genres of games, some violent, some not. I have never felt the tendency to go out and kill someone because of playing a video game. Some people are more subject to violence than others and will commit acts of violence whether or not they play video games. It's in their nature. There are even a tiny tiny minority of people that would play a video game and mimic it. Again, that is in their nature. It's not the video game's fault.
The bottom line is these W.R.O.N.Gers need a scapegoat. It used to be films. Now games have become more sophisticated it is games. It will be something else in the future. The thing is they are wrong.
rbt2 on 15 Apr '11 said:
Succinct and to the point though, I feel.
Beebop10 on 15 Apr '11 said:
I caught this show yesterday (Thur) and didn't think Matthew Wright was all that bad tbh,the Tory guy was far worse. He never once mentioned that these tragic gun slayings are a result of multiple factors and influences that go into forming a person and their moral view of the world. I mean if you're from a broken home where no one has ever shown you any love , maybe been subject to beatings from an abusive person playing the role of stepfather, failed at school , been bullied ,called worthless - well yeah, I'm sure gangs and guns that give you status may look attractive.
TBH they all should watch, the brilliant, 'The Wire' and these pontificating idiots would quickly realise,street gangs are about status and a world which gang members perceive as offering them limited options, probably as was Columbine, again status, but in a different way.
And anyway, weren't the streets of major cities far more dangerous, statistically in the 70s? I know New York 's muggings and murders have gone down dramatically. As for gang problems ,now is as nothing compared to then. Ask these do-gooders , if when there were no computer games, when Mods and Rockers and football hooligans were everywhere fighting it out. When the streets were full of kids 'hanging out in street gangs', if things were really all that much safer? They really do know better. Imagine if you banned all games and that lot 'hit the streets' again lol, then they would have something to panic at.
Blaming games is the ultimate lazy persons cop out for a, 'somebody or a nobody' world which doesn't want to look at the real , often complex causations.
GTCzeero on 15 Apr '11 said:
I'm not about to have my choice of entertainment rubbished by Channel Five, of all channels! Maybe BBC4 though.
veato on 15 Apr '11 said:
Well said!
And anyway, everyone knows Xbox rulez all PS3 biatches.
frazzerr on 15 Apr '11 said:
Right I've had enough of this bullsh*t, I'm sick of people with narrow minded views being critical of games. Video games and other forms of media do not make people homicidal manics, rapists or paedophiles. Take paedophiles for example they attack young children because they have defects from the moment their born not because of media outlets. A paedophile goes to jail for their crimes, while in prison they get therapy and other forms of help to overcome their sick urges. Vast majority of them get released back in to society and go back to their perverted ways hence the therapy does not work, if therapy can't change the person why can games, movies and music change a otherwise "normal" person to become something of such evil ? they can't if a person is killer, rapist etc. its because their not well from the beginning. Mr Wright you sir are a moron, sitting their and casting judgement on things when you sir are completely wrong. I doubt that one of these said "violent" games would turn you into a killer if you took the time to play few ! Why victimise games and gamers ? Video games are violent because a lot of games take source from real live situations, yet video games are to blame ? you are a fool ! Go to any major city of the planet on any given night and there's killings and they are to blame on various circumstances not games. You sir think you can pick on gamers and games because we are easy targets ? I don't think so you moron, you're show brings in what 750,000 viewers every morning yet you still spout they neanderthal views, it brings me to question why are you even allowed to be on television you clearly are ignorant, idiotic and frankly utterly stupid. You have no substantial facts to back up you're claims so shut up, concentrate on more important things that attacking a media outlet for no reason. Rant over that is all !
veato on 15 Apr '11 said:
Good rant but you need some work on your "there's, their and you're" usage
flowerday11 on 15 Apr '11 said:
good article but it doesn't faze me, all forms of media have been tied in with bad press
books, films, music have all had "blood" on their metiphorical hands
people just need someone/something to blame so as they cannot possible be held accountable for their own actions and failures.
"my kid killed a man? grand theft auto is to blame, not me"
xxx
mitch91 on 15 Apr '11 said:
Yes, you're right. Letting children watch the Saw films probably wouldn't be a good idea, but there are a lot more 'intelligent' violent films out there.
I find it funny how people coming from our side always miss the point in this debate. Saying 'I've played GTA, I'm not gonna go murder someone' might be true, but chances are you've been brought up in a sensible manner and don't have other factors in your life that could trigger violence. Gamers need to be a little more grown up themselves when looking at arguments like this.
jtake9 on 15 Apr '11 said:
Ignorance truely is Bliss.......
mitch91 on 15 Apr '11 said:
Also, I'd like to add for all of you slating Matthew Wright, his opinions in the program I watched yesterday were not 'games cause violence', he was merely questioning that interpretation. Don't be so quick to believe what you read in the media (CVG is part of the 'media' after all).
I would love to see this issue discussed in a civilised manner on TV/radio with people who know what they're talking about, and without the gamers being portrayed as the bad guys (as Tim mentioned on the Alan Titchmarsh Show).
wuntuwuntu on 15 Apr '11 said:
I keep a stack of PORN under my bed next to my NES, SNES, MegaDRIVE, Saturn, Gamecube and though I don't normally admit to it... Panasonic 3DO! Not much space left for my rocket launcher!!
roland82 on 15 Apr '11 said:
Im in,
although I do wonder about the effects of violent games on people, for well adjusted adults it cant be any worse than violent films or books.
Stop the Wrong uns.
higgins78 on 15 Apr '11 said:
"It's the horrible violent video games which, I'm terribly sorry, they've been used far too long as baby-sitting devices, so that children are raised with these flashing, hot symbols of violence. And irresponsible violence; there's no responsibility to the violence."
Can we be honest for 1 minute? This statement rings 100% accurate. Blame the videogame companies, parents, shop sellers, whoever, just please face the facts that as videogames are becoming more and more "realistic", lets be honest, in a lot of cases even glamorizing violence, it seems everybody is wanting to wash their hands on any responsibility. No, it doesn't surprise me that so many "gamers" who without their videogame fix are going to defend as a mother would defend her baby, I just believe their is some responsibility to be taken, and as videogame companies who produce games such as Rockstar exist the matter will only get worse.
AegisK on 15 Apr '11 said:
Need a t-shirt with the logo. Get the message out.
We kill less people than murderers. We're playing games instead.
We don't smash your car and torch it. We're playing games instead.
We know that an 18 rated game isn't for 9 year olds. We're gamers.
Obvious if you think about it.
showler on 15 Apr '11 said:
Quite how a comparison can even be comprehended between games consoles and guns is truly terrifying. These people are genuinely idiotic; the ignorance is simply bewildering!
Of course it's the responsibility of game companies to make sure kids don't get a hold of violent shooters, isn't it? I'm afriad not because last time I checked it was the mam and dad who were responsible for parenting their children, not microsoft, sony etc. Why will they not take responsibility? Instead of just saying 'oh, all violent games turn kids into psychopaths', why don't we actually look at the reasons as to why kids have access to such media in the first place?
Adult media should not be in the hands of minors, simple as that, and that's a parental responsibility! So stop whining on and passing the blame parcel to someone else you idiots because yous are ill-educated and not intelligent enough to discuss a tragic event in a mature manner.
Remember kids... guns don't kill people, consoles do!!!
Augustus_aka_AG on 15 Apr '11 said:
WRONG should join forces with the recently formed 'Comprehensively Uninformed News Telling Sensationalists'.
This merger would give us WRONG c**ts, an organisation well positioned to answer back to all these tabloid headline specialists.
Kings 0f Chaos on 15 Apr '11 said:
"Corruption of the soul is a fate that be-faults the weak"
I usually like watching right stuff although what I heard yesterday was a load of nonsense.
Stereo typing video games & video gamers as the cause of all evil in this world is pathetic.
cartyavfc on 15 Apr '11 said:
I'm going to put my hawiaan shirt on, run upstairs and jump in my helicopter and fly over to channel 5 studios!!!
hang on ..............LOADING...............PLEASE WAIT ..............LOADING......... Then i am going too parachute out of my chopper leaving it aimlesy spinning in the air while i smash through the top floor window!!! ill take out the guards (secutarys) with my silenced pistol and then crawl down the air ducts where i will launch a couple of frags into the audience for agreeing with this stupid woman before rolling up to annes head and popping her right between the eyes in true slow motion-style!!!!!!!!!
Well done CVG there is no way games have influenced me what so ever!!!
rbt2 on 15 Apr '11 said:
Hahaha.
Like it.
dubplate240 on 15 Apr '11 said:
Woo!! Go get em CVG, count me in for support.
DanielSan on 15 Apr '11 said:
I remember when Mary Whitehouse claimed that soft porn was going to bring down human civilisation, wreck our values and up the crime rate. So Anne Diamond and Matthew Wright have revolted against Mrs Whitehouse by appearing on a broadcasting channel that has built it's foundations on televising smut and soft porn. Not only that but they did it imitating her campaign methods and substituting the soft porn industry with the gaming industry.
You could call it satire.
conceptwhite_fox on 15 Apr '11 said:
Violence is still violence, no matter how well developed they may be. At times I wish a broadcaster such as the BBC would add a certain level of gore and sex to their well established period dramas, just to see how well the 'middle class' society react...
The thing is mate, we're all different! One guy's 'Halo' is another's 'Barbie Horse Adventures: Wild Horse Rescue' (I threw up in my mouth a little writing that!) One game that is hardcore for one, is completely 'n00b' for another...
But I hear what you're saying.
flash501 on 15 Apr '11 said:
Exactly! The fact that a movie is more intelligent, story wise, doesn't necessarily make any violent content it contains easier to defend. I think I mentioned this on here before, but, has anyone here seen a movie called 'Martyrs'? The second half of it is the most horrific thing I've ever seen, and this is a movie that has a serious story, and is not being violent for the sake of being violent.
extermin8or on 15 Apr '11 said:
well I'm in, got to say it is good for one thing... a good laugh :p
Felly117 on 15 Apr '11 said:
Been playing too much video games... Urge to kill rising! Maybe I'll pull out my secret nintendo from under my bed and join a London gang and shoot someone!..... Idiots
Tuclanif on 15 Apr '11 said:
I kinda like the wright stuff but these "opinions" are just obsurd. Mind you when i was four i did bash my mothers head in with a lump hammer after watching a tom & jerry cartoon.. and there always the time i attached knifes to my fingers and went about killing teenagers after viewing a certain film. However the only way i've been affected playing video games is a strange desire to jump on mushrooms and go goblin hunting in the local woods, but i soon got bored when i failed to gather any coins or find any epic gear.
Lewis Da Bawse on 15 Apr '11 said:
Can't believe they said that s*** AS they were showing the 18+ video,are they actually retarded? Great article.
Lewis Da Bawse on 15 Apr '11 said:
Haha,maybe we should hook them up with Xbox Live and show them what they're missing out on
FeelSureal on 16 Apr '11 said:
Grow up for flips sake. These people are critiquing the computer game industry. This industry supplies you with, lets face it. Silly games to play. Something you do in spare time with a joystick or mouse for fun. This ridiculous campaign is as melodramatic as their comments are inaccurate and ill informed. Some of you are talking like they've killed your mother!
This is not some fundamental question on the nature of humanity.
garlygunto on 16 Apr '11 said:
anybody that thinks video games cause violence is a f**king idiot, the reason somebody commits anything bad is because there already bad or messed up.
DanSolo on 16 Apr '11 said:
While I do agree with the gusto and zeal of some of the previous posts I think there is a real danger of taking an overly simplified view of this whole debate on both sides. Mathew Wright is and has always been a reprehensible f**k, and I although I have no prior knowledge of Anne Diamonds weight fluctuations I am fully aware that she is also a bit of a ninny, and I fully support CVG's attempt to stop television's ill-informed attacks on the industry but I think they have done the gamer a disservice in not exploring this deeply enough and resorting to schoolyard banter that they knew would engage there audience.
The point is television has always been scared of video games because they took your attention away from the telly. From the old 'it's a waste of time' argument to the 'it'll make you're child kill someone' argument, TV has always sought to blight the gamer in anyway it can. And this isn't new, Newspapers hated Radio, Radio hated TV and TV hates video games and Radio and Newspapers and the Internet, it reserves a special hatred for the internet but it's all for the same reasons, the only problem is that television has such a loud voice that anthing it says gets heard by alot of people and sadly, the general masses believe what it says. The repeated 'gamers are nerds' stance from the media has reduced the gamer to actually being socially regarded as a nerd. And what the f**k is a nerd anyway, just another tv buzzword used to oversimplify the world. The internet has really scared the be-jesus out of it, so we're seeing desperate attempts to sensationalise everything, from the news to X-factor it's all just there to keep us believing the dream, but behind the scenes they haven't a clue what's going on. All you here is the white noise of 'user generated content' and Vox-Pops and bloggers and f*****g tweets and 'follow us on facec**t!!!', asking us for our news, our comment, our photos.. Get your own f*****g photos!!...
'Tell us what's going on where you are' they say,
'NO, you tell me what's going on where I am, you're the f*****g news'.
That's what I say, do they listen? do they f**k.
In all of the furore however, you could be forgiven for thinking that video games are little pixely fun balls with flowers and butterfly's and colours.. but no, they're relentlessly violent, realistic gun and death games where the player is rewarded for killing things, prefferably in the head, yeah.. they love that s**t. Yes there is the Wii, and Helen Mirren and Louise Whats-her-face keeping agile can't be a bad thing, but the real money being spent on development and marketing seems to be on first person shooters, with a bit of sports and driving of course. I think the real problem is a massive stagnation of the gaming industry that relies on too many tried and tested formulas, they know gore and violence sells so they pump it out willy nilly. I haven't mentioned the DS that has the usual array of cutsey non violent games and Nintendo can never be accused of being sensationalist or controversial, but sadly since Sony and Microsoft won the war of the 'big machines' the limelight of there huge cinematic productions always casts a slightly toy-like light over Nintendo's more wholesome affairs, which for some reason seems to factor them out of any television debate on this subject.
As somebody has said already, developers do need to grow up a bit and grow some balls too. It isn't big and clever to be "THE MOST GORY FIRST PERSON SHOOTER EVER", or have 'death combos man', yeah.. top chips!!. It's actually really boring and really really safe. Punters love killing things, so we gots to give the punters what they want... Death with a bit of sports and driving. Since when did consumers know what they want? how does that stimulate innovation? What happened to people persuing ideas regardless of popular opinion. We live in a world of internet comment and by f*ck are they listening and trying to form some sort of coherent message out of the noise that can be boiled down into a few meanlingless products that alot of people 'kind of want but not really'.
We've got survey's and questionaires coming out of our arses, all of them trying to get us to tell them what we want and how we really feel, inside. 'How can we help you to be more you?' 'Who's the real you?' "We want to give you more you-ness, but how?' and to the layman this can seem all very friendly, 'Ah, there just like me and you, trying to get along, it tough for us all, but we're in it together!!' Alas not my optomistic fellow, they just want you to buy sh*t and lot's of it. Lot's of safe, demographic satisfying, profit-making sludge and in video gaming that is the first person shooter. It might as well be a f*****g deodarent.
I have to say I miss the days of old, when everything was defined in K's and 48 was a lot of them. None of your GB's and fancy play pods. When 256 colours dazzled your eyes with their defined hues and infinite possibilities, you're ears ablaze with a symphony rendered in full 4 bit sound. Ah,But these time's are behind us, and like returning to a past love, when you get her undressed you can't help noticing the wrinkles.. time is a cruel mistress.
starsail on 16 Apr '11 said:
Guns don't kill people, gamers do!
I never stole coins, until I played Mario, then I learned it was ok.
I didn't jump on peoples heads and take their rings until I played Sonic, and there's nothing wrong with that, blue hedghogs can't be wrong can they?
Living in my utopia in Belfast NI, all was fine until GTA came along, but now I believe the bang bang culture that GTA brought is perfectly normal, everyone who plays GTA does it now, why go online with your mates when you can save time match making and pick up the phone instead?
As long as there are morons around who want a camera and an opinion then games, movies, music, hell - even football, will get the blame for all of societies ails and the irresponsible actions of individual hooligans within our society will continue to go unnoticed.
Its kind of like, what causes mouth cancer?? You have been given millions to research this and provide a cure. "2 years later". Well, whats the answer, it better be worth the millions of pounds. Ummmmmm ... oral sex!
Sp0nGeToM on 16 Apr '11 said:
Im supporting this all the way!
These morons who havn't even played the game dont know what their talking about. Its just all a whole lot of balony. Yes, I do play GTA and COD, but Im not going to pick up a hand gun that a magical leprochaun gave me, run out the door and go on a violent ramapage killing everyone in sight. No.
conceptwhite_fox on 16 Apr '11 said:
"This message is sponsored by 'Tumbleweed', the new fragrance from TrollFlamesŪ.
, spray on some of that 'Tumbleweed' and you'll go from this 
within minutes..."
Whenever you feel like stirring s**t up, just put on some shades
wishface on 16 Apr '11 said:
Just wait till Mortal Kombat comes out next week, those two will have f**king fits!
Bombjack77 on 16 Apr '11 said:
Fight the Powers !
MattyR95 on 17 Apr '11 said:
They showed those w.r.o.n.g. signs on the show, the day after.
Lupe101 on 18 Apr '11 said:
"but no, they're relentlessly violent, realistic gun and death games where the player is rewarded for killing things, prefferably in the head, yeah"
You make some very good points and I agree with you that the topic is not simple which is why I feel there should be a sensible organised campaign to head off the tabloid nonsense. However I feel there is one aspect that we differ on.
You say you feel the games industry should grow up, out of the juvenile "head shots for points" pradigm. As someone who loved "bullet storm" I couldn't disagree more. More to the point I want to see more violence and more blood and guts in my games. I enjoy it.
The point is, I'm an adult. I get to choose what I want. And I want hardcore booze, hard core porn and hard core computer games. I regect the notion that any of these things will ( or at the age of 36 have ) turned me into a monster. I see them as some of the more enjoyable aspects of life. I like my meat bloody, my porn explicit and my computer games dripping with gibs. It's my right as an adult and thank GOD we live in a society where we believe adults are capable of enjoying these excesses without becoming mass murdering rapists.
I feel this is an important point to make, not only that games don't damage people ( as a psychologist I have no conclusive proof what they do ) but that the content, how ever disgusting to some people, is what I choose to indulge in.
I would rather watch the Evil dead than Anne of green Gables ( although I must admit I cried during both ) I would rather listen to NIN than the spice girls and I would rather play GTA than Wii fit.
I'm an adult. Leave my choice of poison alone.
ColePhelps on 19 Apr '11 said:
I am absolutely appalled, not at those labelled "W.R.O.N.G" but by those commenting on this very thread. I'm dissappointed in Tim and CVG for this article. If your going to launch a campaign do it properly, don't just ruffle a few user's feathers and publish a few articles to fill in the site's news feed.
As a gamer I do not need to be painted under this banner. I know that there are those that choose to attack our hobby. Those that simplify the games that entertain us as 'murdering simulators' and label us as 'sickos' but I refuse to acknowledge them and fuel their ignorance for fear of being just like them.
Beyond the "best article evar ritten", "I played gta and den killed my grandma lolololol" and "f**k these f**king f**kers they dont know s**t about games" comments I've seen only a handful of users that are putting forward sensible ideas. (Kudos to mitch91, ricflair, FeelSureal, DavrosJ etc.)
The fact is videogames alongside every other entertainment medium have extreme items that parade as examples of hatred, violence and gore. I can not and will not expect Anne Diamond to ever understand that the Grand Theft Auto series is foremost a satirical take on popular culture, in a similar vein I can't expect children and young teenagers to understand this either. There-in lies the problem.
To illustarate my point further take Matthew Stone, he is the Jewish co-creator of South Park, a show which uses casual anti-semetic jokes in its episodes. Countless times I've witnessed people call each other "f**kin' jews" without any sense of irony, now we can't blame South Park can we? Because the guy who created it is Jewish. Nonsense, South Park can inadvertently promote anti-semetic behaviour in the same way videogames can inadvertently promote violence or a poor depiction of women. I'm not talking about the Columbine shootings or anything like that - it is obvious that underlying psychological issues are to blame in these instances. I'm talking about a very slightly more aggresive and academically under-performing child that may be disruptive in class. If anything a poor upringing, education and social environment is to blame for those gangs of kids asking you for 50p on the street!
We however as intelligent gamers have chosen to ignore this, we collaborate together to produce friendly communities, enjoy playing our games for the challenge, to tax our skills and promote a fun and hilarious environment to play within.
I personally have found games to be inspirational in my own self education.
Civilization sparked my interest in ancient history as a child and improved geographical knowledge.
I went to Judo classes after playing Tekken!
Theme Hospital, Transport Tycoon and Constructor made me realise I would never be able to set up bus service between Liverpool and Manchester, administrate a hospital or run a council to save my life!
Jurassic Park and Dino Crisis made me want to learn about dinosaurs, not shoot them!
Other games such as Metal Gear, Resident Evil and Tomb Raider ignited my imagination and sense of adventure.
Tony Hawk's got me and my friends into trying out new things on our bikes and skateboards.
When everyone in school was talking about what they did in GTA: San Andreas last night I would be talking about how much of an interesting character Wu Zi Mu was or drawing parallels between in-game characters or companies and real life rappers, film characters and companies.
I'm sure many of you share similar experiences.
I've also found that having a sensible role model (my dad) playing games in front of me to be a positive influence rather than a negative.
Sadly what I've seen here only adds to the ammunition to the stereotypes that critics such as Anne Diamond have created.
In short - there is no need to defend our hobby, the issue is so clearcut that it needs no defence. This shall pass just as it passed for classical art, rock'n'roll or hollywood movies.
Edit: Referred to the South Park co-creator as Trey Stone and not Matt Stone
Napalm_Black on 20 Apr '11 said:
OK. I understand the idea behind WRONG, but I want to put the case for another strand if the campaign to be started: R.I.G.H.T.
Realistic, Intelligent, Genuine, Honest & Tested
Not as snappy I'll admit, but bare with me... A campaign against the negatives is fine but it will be defined by the negative; there is no space for the positive opinion to flourish.
However a campaign that focuses on the positive reality of things and puts forward the honest experiences of gamers and the good that this hobby can bring whilst being open to scientific rigour and testing must be a better way to gain a greater acceptance of the gaming medium as part of 'the media' and 'the arts' in general.
If we put our case forward as R.I.G.H.T. alongside highlighting and challenging the W.R.O.N.G perceptions we're exposed to then we present a far better case to the world at large.
So go on CVG and you the readers of this fine website, start the campaign for R.I.G.H.T as well as W.R.O.N.G