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Labour MP Keith Vaz has said that popular multiplayer PC shooter Counter-Strike was “associated” with race shootings in Malmo, Sweden.
Raising the MP’s second anti videogame early day motion of 2011, Vaz linked the shootings to Valve’s multplayer masterpiece while Swedish police investigating the shootings in arresting a 38 year old suspect male said that the motivation was thought to be racial in nature.
Gamer’s Voice carried the full quote of the early day motion:
“That this House notes with concern that the recent race shootings in Malmo, Sweden have been associated with the violent video game Counter-Strike; further notes that the internet-based, first-person shooting game that pits a counter-terrorist team against terrorists was previously banned in Brazil and in 2007 was associated with US College Campus massacres; recognises the potential impact of violent video games on those under 18 years; and calls on the Government to ensure the purchase of video games by those under 18 years is controlled and that parents are provided with clear information on the violent content of certain games.”
It’s not clear how restricting sales of so-called violent videogames to minors would have any impact on racially motivated gun crime by a 38 year old suspect. In any case the revamped PEGI ratings will become legally enforceable on the 1st of April 2011 but this law relates to games with legally binding 18+ ratings.
The 10 year old Counter-Strike would hardly be considered 18+ material anyway so it’s not entirely clear what the Right Honourable Vaz is on about.
