Norwegian Retailer Indefinitely Bans 'Violent Video Games,' Even Though No One Asked

The problem here lies in the act itself, and the influence Coop has on Norwegian commercial culture. As in, they are in the lead in doing something retarded, that others may very well follow. Infact, they already have. Platekompaniet (a music/game/video store, one of the largest in the country) are also doing this(for the Norwegians out there: http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article4188155.ece). However they have not said which games they will remove, only that they will remove violent games from their stores. I work in a Coop store (not of the kind that sells any relevant games, we only have some old dusty copies of shait PS2, that no one will ever buy) but I do not feel like coming into work tomorrow. I know that no one in my store has anyhing to do with this, and that my boss is not to blame at all. But wearing clothes with the logo on, and working in a coop store, being a face to this...it kind of disgusts me. 

Guess who's going out of business!

Are they the only games retailer in Norway?  If so, that sucks.  If not, who cares?  They just gave the entire market to their competition.  They must have a magic business model that says removing revenue will increase profit.

Guess who's going out of business!

THIS JUST IN: Breivik drank water! Police believe this liquid allowed him to live long enough to commit his atrocities! Politicians around the world have gathered to discuss exactly what dangers this clear substance poses for modern day society! Dr Ballsforbrains says "Well, it's very clear that water played a huge role in Breivik's life, the substance being around and indeed, within Breivik both during the planning phase of his crime and during the crime itself."

A police officer, who wishes to remain anonymous, has stated "It's clear from examining the glassware in Breivik's house that, not only was he a regular water drinker, but that he had, hours before the attacks, consumed some sort of liquid that contained water within it".

Sociologist Paul Fuckwit has also chimed in on the use of water: "I think it's very clear that water has played a massive role in the major crimes of the 21st Century. Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin and even Mao all drank water." Asked if video games could have played a role in the atrocity, Even Dr. Fuckwit was quick to point out that "Hitler and the SS didn't have video games and look at how they turned out. No, I think the one and only link is water. Has to be water."

But not all are so quick to point the blame at this slippery substance. British Lord Asshat is pushing for a review into the portrayal of farmers in the media! "It is clear", says Lord Asshat, "that Breivik was the owner of a food growing business which he used as a cover to obtain the fertilizer necessary for creating his bomb. Have we uncovered a new radical farmist ideology bent on the destruction of modern day society?"

Asked whether or not Racist ideology, far-right politics or radical, fundamentalist Christianity could have possibly played a role in motivating Breivik, well known Moron Bill O' Reilly was quick to point out "But I'm a racist, far right, Christian fundamentalist who secretly wishes for the explusion of all Muslims! So that can't possibly be the cause". When shown Breivik's 1500 word Fundamentalist Christian, Templar inspired, Racist-drivel of a manifesto, Mr. O' Reilly made a sad puppy dog face and said "But I can't read!"

Trevor Cocksucker, head of the Australian Christian Lobby, has called for water to be banned. Despite acknowledging that perhaps "billions of ordinary citizens drink water" without feeling the need to go on a homicidal spree, he said "If banning water prevents even one person ever 20 years from committing an atrocity, it's worth it". Mr. Cocksucker is also considering a ban on "humanity itself", stating that banning humanity would definitively stop all crimes from ever occurring, ever. "It might be harsh, but that might be the price we pay for a 100% completely crime free society", which, he believes "is totally possible because I'm an idiot who has never read a single history book in my entire life".

yeah....good luck with that....

I know the definition of my religion and that definition doesn't include mass murder.

You need a history lesson.

Maybe if we remove religion we will have one less boundary over which to segregate ourselves into hateful and mistrusting groups.  Religion has been the root cause of infinitely more deaths and suffering then video games will ever allegedly cause.

I you want to (possibly) help us Norwegians, you can click on the link "Rogalands Avis", then locate the poll on the right side. The poll reads as follows "Is it right to take violent video games off shelves?". You, as a good gamer, should pick the "Nei" (no) answer. Thank You!

I find it sad that corporations (media, retail ...) abuse tragedies like these for personal gain. No one cares about the facts, it's all about controversy and free misguided moral advertising for the sake of commerce.

@Knight244 said:

What qualities does a true Scotsman possess? Is it simply to be born in Scotland or does a true Scotsman possess a certain virtue of character? I never tried to define another's religion. I know the definition of my religion and that definition doesn't include mass murder. I did not claim that I get to decide what others call themselves. Really, is it a huge leap to assume that someone would blame religion in the political climate we all inhabit in this day and age. The Catholic Church gets blamed when someone burns their toast so I don't think I'm making a crazy leap here. I agree, his belief system was the major contributor in what he acted out, but that doesn't exonerate the video games he chose to play from all guilt. Congratulations you know how to use cursy words and you speak very well but I'm tempted to think that it's all just very clever rhetoric to dismiss my positions. For example, calling my allusion to No Russian bizarre is stretching it. That level is pretty much exactly what the man acted out in real life. This is the example he was shown by a well respected wealthy business corporation that employs supposedly mature adults who chose to sell to the public for profit a game with a level that rewards the player for acting out wanton mass murder. No one down at KillerHighScore Corp. seems to think murder has any real moral weight so why should anyone who buys the game? Am I completely wrong here or might there just maybe be a tiny bit of sanity in here somewhere? I mean I love video games and I even like some shooters but that level in Modern Warfare 2 is despicable. My science lectures are free to the public and no one loses any points for not attending. All magic shows follow the lectures and there is a small fee to attend. My arguments have been coherent you big idiot head idiot dummy. Couldn't hurt to try stupid head.

The issue here is the belief that the games caused him to do it. That's easy to disprove since millions have played the same games without committing murder. And if it in some way pushed him further in that direction is impossible to say for sure, but you have to remember that this is a guy that had this mindset for years before those games existed. More importantly, he was a member of a gun club and had a lot of experience using firearms, which is far beyond anything a simple game could teach.

The biggest problem with your argument though is that by that logic anything that helped him would have to take an equal share of the blame, but the one who you should blame is him.

I know the definition of my religion and that definition doesn't include mass murder.

You need a history lesson.

Sure, because this is a rational response. Nice job Norway.

Immediately we look around desperate to point fingers at whatever in sight. Better to just realize that guy was fucked up. If WoW had that effect on you we'd be in a worldwide civil riot right now.

THIS JUST IN: Breivik drank water! Police believe this liquid allowed him to live long enough to commit his atrocities! Politicians around the world have gathered to discuss exactly what dangers this clear substance poses for modern day society! Dr Ballsforbrains says "Well, it's very clear that water played a huge role in Breivik's life, the substance being around and indeed, within Breivik both during the planning phase of his crime and during the crime itself."

A police officer, who wishes to remain anonymous, has stated "It's clear from examining the glassware in Breivik's house that, not only was he a regular water drinker, but that he had, hours before the attacks, consumed some sort of liquid that contained water within it".

Sociologist Paul Fuckwit has also chimed in on the use of water: "I think it's very clear that water has played a massive role in the major crimes of the 21st Century. Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin and even Mao all drank water." Asked if video games could have played a role in the atrocity, Even Dr. Fuckwit was quick to point out that "Hitler and the SS didn't have video games and look at how they turned out. No, I think the one and only link is water. Has to be water."

But not all are so quick to point the blame at this slippery substance. British Lord Asshat is pushing for a review into the portrayal of farmers in the media! "It is clear", says Lord Asshat, "that Breivik was the owner of a food growing business which he used as a cover to obtain the fertilizer necessary for creating his bomb. Have we uncovered a new radical farmist ideology bent on the destruction of modern day society?"

Asked whether or not Racist ideology, far-right politics or radical, fundamentalist Christianity could have possibly played a role in motivating Breivik, well known Moron Bill O' Reilly was quick to point out "But I'm a racist, far right, Christian fundamentalist who secretly wishes for the explusion of all Muslims! So that can't possibly be the cause". When shown Breivik's 1500 word Fundamentalist Christian, Templar inspired, Racist-drivel of a manifesto, Mr. O' Reilly made a sad puppy dog face and said "But I can't read!"

Trevor Cocksucker, head of the Australian Christian Lobby, has called for water to be banned. Despite acknowledging that perhaps "billions of ordinary citizens drink water" without feeling the need to go on a homicidal spree, he said "If banning water prevents even one person ever 20 years from committing an atrocity, it's worth it". Mr. Cocksucker is also considering a ban on "humanity itself", stating that banning humanity would definitively stop all crimes from ever occurring, ever. "It might be harsh, but that might be the price we pay for a 100% completely crime free society", which, he believes "is totally possible because I'm an idiot who has never read a single history book in my entire life".

THIS JUST IN: Breivik drank water! Police believe this liquid allowed him to live long enough to commit his atrocities! Politicians around the world have gathered to discuss exactly what dangers this clear substance poses for modern day society! Dr Ballsforbrains says "Well, it's very clear that water played a huge role in Breivik's life, the substance being around and indeed, within Breivik both during the planning phase of his crime and during the crime itself."

A police officer, who wishes to remain anonymous, has stated "It's clear from examining the glassware in Breivik's house that, not only was he a regular water drinker, but that he had, hours before the attacks, consumed some sort of liquid that contained water within it".

Sociologist Paul Fuckwit has also chimed in on the use of water: "I think it's very clear that water has played a massive role in the major crimes of the 21st Century. Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin and even Mao all drank water." Asked if video games could have played a role in the atrocity, Even Dr. Fuckwit was quick to point out that "Hitler and the SS didn't have video games and look at how they turned out. No, I think the one and only link is water. Has to be water."

But not all are so quick to point the blame at this slippery substance. British Lord Asshat is pushing for a review into the portrayal of farmers in the media! "It is clear", says Lord Asshat, "that Breivik was the owner of a food growing business which he used as a cover to obtain the fertilizer necessary for creating his bomb. Have we uncovered a new radical farmist ideology bent on the destruction of modern day society?"

Asked whether or not Racist ideology, far-right politics or radical, fundamentalist Christianity could have possibly played a role in motivating Breivik, well known Moron Bill O' Reilly was quick to point out "But I'm a racist, far right, Christian fundamentalist who secretly wishes for the explusion of all Muslims! So that can't possibly be the cause". When shown Breivik's 1500 word Fundamentalist Christian, Templar inspired, Racist-drivel of a manifesto, Mr. O' Reilly made a sad puppy dog face and said "But I can't read!"

Trevor Cocksucker, head of the Australian Christian Lobby, has called for water to be banned. Despite acknowledging that perhaps "billions of ordinary citizens drink water" without feeling the need to go on a homicidal spree, he said "If banning water prevents even one person ever 20 years from committing an atrocity, it's worth it". Mr. Cocksucker is also considering a ban on "humanity itself", stating that banning humanity would definitively stop all crimes from ever occurring, ever. "It might be harsh, but that might be the price we pay for a 100% completely crime free society", which, he believes "is totally possible because I'm an idiot who has never read a single history book in my entire life".

@Knight244 said:

@thebigJ_A said:

@Knight244 said:

@gale said:

@Knight244: He may not have been a real Christian, but was he a True Scotsman?

If someone insists that you are allied with and responsible for the actions of one psychopath because of a few shared beliefs, they're idiots who are just looking for someone to blame. However, you don't get to define what another person's religion is. You get to define what your beliefs are, and that's it. You don't have to agree with anyone else - you don't even have to respect anyone else - but you don't get to decide what someone gets to call themselves. Nor do you get to make whatever blind assertions you want about other people's reasons, feelings, and beliefs, when your only evidence is your complete inability to understand the concept of other people not having exactly the same thought processes that you do.

Also, it's a huge leap to assume that Swervinmonkeyz was making some sweeping indictment of everything to do with Christianity. That his extremist political and religious ideology would have a far greater influence on his politically and religiously motivated attack than some fucking videogame is a perfectly salient point to make, a fact that's apparently sailed right over your head, if your bizarre No Russian non-sequitur is anything to go by. I don't especially care to take lessons in scientific methodology from someone who doesn't even understand what other people are. Have a go at forming a coherent argument before you try schooling people on what real science is. You'll look like less of an idiot that way. Well. Then again. It's not magic. I'm not sure there's anything in the world that could make you look like less of an idiot at this point. But oh well. Couldn't hurt to try, I suppose.

What qualities does a true Scotsman possess? Is it simply to be born in Scotland or does a true Scotsman possess a certain virtue of character?

Really, dude? At least follow the link and find out what the No True Scotsman Fallacy is. The fact that you asked those questions means you missed the point entirely.

I don't think I did miss the point but correct me if I'm wrong.  We're discussing the essence of what a man is and what certain types of men are?  Is he a Scotsman because he's born in Scotland or is a Scotsman because he possesses virtue A, B, or C?  Is he a true gamer because he has a simple love for the pleasures of video games or is he a true gamer because he lives for the day when he will be able to murder the whole planet?  Is he a Christian because he believes in the dignity of the Virgin Mary or is he a Christian because he believes in the virtue of shooting holes in his fellow man?  Is he a being possessing a soul or is he solely flesh and blood?   I don't think I missed the point.  I did follow the link and what I found there is an unsatisfying answer to the question "who is a true Scotsman?"  So is a true Scotsman simply a man born in Scotland or are there certain intangible qualities that make a man a true Scotsman?

Look, I flunked out of university, but even I know you're not supposed to be focusing on the name of the fallacy, rather than the fallacy itself.  Stop blathering on about Scotland.  That has nothing to do with anything.  You should be arguing against the fallacy itself.   
  
The fallacy of course being: 

" No True Scotsman   is a   logical fallacy   by which an individual attempts to avoid being associated with an unpleasant act by asserting that no   true   member of the group they belong to would do such a thing. Instead of acknowledging that some members of a group have undesirable characteristics, the fallacy tries to redefine the group to exclude them."    Personally, it's just always annoyed me when people go decide that they have the divine authority to decide who is and isn't a "real Christian", as if they are the fucking internet Pope.  

@thebigJ_A said:

@Knight244 said:

@gale said:

@Knight244: He may not have been a real Christian, but was he a True Scotsman?

If someone insists that you are allied with and responsible for the actions of one psychopath because of a few shared beliefs, they're idiots who are just looking for someone to blame. However, you don't get to define what another person's religion is. You get to define what your beliefs are, and that's it. You don't have to agree with anyone else - you don't even have to respect anyone else - but you don't get to decide what someone gets to call themselves. Nor do you get to make whatever blind assertions you want about other people's reasons, feelings, and beliefs, when your only evidence is your complete inability to understand the concept of other people not having exactly the same thought processes that you do.

Also, it's a huge leap to assume that Swervinmonkeyz was making some sweeping indictment of everything to do with Christianity. That his extremist political and religious ideology would have a far greater influence on his politically and religiously motivated attack than some fucking videogame is a perfectly salient point to make, a fact that's apparently sailed right over your head, if your bizarre No Russian non-sequitur is anything to go by. I don't especially care to take lessons in scientific methodology from someone who doesn't even understand what other people are. Have a go at forming a coherent argument before you try schooling people on what real science is. You'll look like less of an idiot that way. Well. Then again. It's not magic. I'm not sure there's anything in the world that could make you look like less of an idiot at this point. But oh well. Couldn't hurt to try, I suppose.

What qualities does a true Scotsman possess? Is it simply to be born in Scotland or does a true Scotsman possess a certain virtue of character?

Really, dude? At least follow the link and find out what the No True Scotsman Fallacy is. The fact that you asked those questions means you missed the point entirely.

I don't think I did miss the point but correct me if I'm wrong.  We're discussing the essence of what a man is and what certain types of men are?  Is he a Scotsman because he's born in Scotland or is a Scotsman because he possesses virtue A, B, or C?  Is he a true gamer because he has a simple love for the pleasures of video games or is he a true gamer because he lives for the day when he will be able to murder the whole planet?  Is he a Christian because he believes in the dignity of the Virgin Mary or is he a Christian because he believes in the virtue of shooting holes in his fellow man?  Is he a being possessing a soul or is he solely flesh and blood?   I don't think I missed the point.  I did follow the link and what I found there is an unsatisfying answer to the question "who is a true Scotsman?"  So is a true Scotsman simply a man born in Scotland or are there certain intangible qualities that make a man a true Scotsman?

@Knight244 said:

@gale said:

@Knight244: He may not have been a real Christian, but was he a True Scotsman?

If someone insists that you are allied with and responsible for the actions of one psychopath because of a few shared beliefs, they're idiots who are just looking for someone to blame. However, you don't get to define what another person's religion is. You get to define what your beliefs are, and that's it. You don't have to agree with anyone else - you don't even have to respect anyone else - but you don't get to decide what someone gets to call themselves. Nor do you get to make whatever blind assertions you want about other people's reasons, feelings, and beliefs, when your only evidence is your complete inability to understand the concept of other people not having exactly the same thought processes that you do.

Also, it's a huge leap to assume that Swervinmonkeyz was making some sweeping indictment of everything to do with Christianity. That his extremist political and religious ideology would have a far greater influence on his politically and religiously motivated attack than some fucking videogame is a perfectly salient point to make, a fact that's apparently sailed right over your head, if your bizarre No Russian non-sequitur is anything to go by. I don't especially care to take lessons in scientific methodology from someone who doesn't even understand what other people are. Have a go at forming a coherent argument before you try schooling people on what real science is. You'll look like less of an idiot that way. Well. Then again. It's not magic. I'm not sure there's anything in the world that could make you look like less of an idiot at this point. But oh well. Couldn't hurt to try, I suppose.

What qualities does a true Scotsman possess? Is it simply to be born in Scotland or does a true Scotsman possess a certain virtue of character?

Really, dude? At least follow the link and find out what the No True Scotsman Fallacy is. The fact that you asked those questions means you missed the point entirely.

@Knight244 said:

@gale said:

@Knight244: He may not have been a real Christian, but was he a True Scotsman?

If someone insists that you are allied with and responsible for the actions of one psychopath because of a few shared beliefs, they're idiots who are just looking for someone to blame. However, you don't get to define what another person's religion is. You get to define what your beliefs are, and that's it. You don't have to agree with anyone else - you don't even have to respect anyone else - but you don't get to decide what someone gets to call themselves. Nor do you get to make whatever blind assertions you want about other people's reasons, feelings, and beliefs, when your only evidence is your complete inability to understand the concept of other people not having exactly the same thought processes that you do.

Also, it's a huge leap to assume that Swervinmonkeyz was making some sweeping indictment of everything to do with Christianity. That his extremist political and religious ideology would have a far greater influence on his politically and religiously motivated attack than some fucking videogame is a perfectly salient point to make, a fact that's apparently sailed right over your head, if your bizarre No Russian non-sequitur is anything to go by. I don't especially care to take lessons in scientific methodology from someone who doesn't even understand what other people are. Have a go at forming a coherent argument before you try schooling people on what real science is. You'll look like less of an idiot that way. Well. Then again. It's not magic. I'm not sure there's anything in the world that could make you look like less of an idiot at this point. But oh well. Couldn't hurt to try, I suppose.

What qualities does a true Scotsman possess? Is it simply to be born in Scotland or does a true Scotsman possess a certain virtue of character?

Really, dude? At least follow the link and find out what the No True Scotsman Fallacy is. The fact that you asked those questions means you missed the point entirely.

@Knight244:  He may not have been a real Christian, but was he a True Scotsman?
 
If someone insists that you are allied with and responsible for the actions of one psychopath because of a few shared beliefs, they're idiots who are just looking for someone to blame. However, you don't get to define what another person's religion is. You get to define what your beliefs are, and that's it. You don't have to agree with anyone else - you don't even have to respect anyone else - but you don't get to decide what someone gets to call themselves. Nor do you get to make whatever blind assertions you want about other people's reasons, feelings, and beliefs, when your only evidence is your complete inability to understand the concept of other people not having exactly the same thought processes that you do.
 
Also, it's a huge leap to assume that Swervinmonkeyz was making some sweeping indictment of everything to do with Christianity. That his extremist political and religious ideology would have a far greater influence on his politically and religiously motivated attack than some fucking videogame is a perfectly salient point to make, a fact that's apparently sailed right over your head, if your bizarre No Russian non-sequitur is anything to go by.   I don't especially care to take lessons in scientific methodology from someone who doesn't even understand what other people are. Have a go at forming a coherent argument before you try schooling people on what real science is. You'll look like less of an idiot that way.   Well. Then again. It's not magic. I'm not sure there's anything in the world that could make you look like less of an idiot at this point. But oh well. Couldn't hurt to try, I suppose.

Better take down all the violent movies and books too, oh wait - you went bankrupt?

I'm sorry if I was too scathing in my responses last night.  I simply think that violent video games encourage those who are steeped in rage to become more deeply mired in it, and I believe it is a gross error in judgment to think that angry video games do not play a role in keeping angry people angry.  Those who stay to the judgment that violent games are completely innocent seem to me to be those that profess a love for the same questionable games.  I mean am I completely wrong here? I mean there are good video games that aren't violent.  Is the misanthropic violence really necessary to make a good video game?

I'm sorry if I was too scathing in my responses last night.  I simply think that violent video games encourage those who are steeped in rage to become more deeply mired in it, and I believe it is a gross error in judgment to think that angry video games do not play a role in keeping angry people angry.  Those who stay to the judgment that violent games are completely innocent seem to me to be those that profess a love for the same questionable games.  I mean am I completely wrong here?
 
I mean there are good video games that aren't violent.  Is the misanthropic violence really necessary to make a good video game?

Actually, there is history of these crazy reactionary decisions in Scandinavia. When Power Rangers were popular in scandinavia, and a kid pushed another kid of a cliff (or something) and the kid said that he had watched Power Rangers, Power Rangers was banned for all eternity in Sweden and Norway (don't know about Denmark though). 
 
Also, Swedish media coverage regarding this recent insane mofo has been pathetic. I hope our neighbours are doing better on that front. For instance, media is comparing the killings and bombings to 9/11, and not the Oklahoma bombings, which is a much more appropriate comparison.
 
♥ All my though goes to the victims!

Nice to see that Coop chooses to completely ignore the main message from our prime minister.

Wow at all the people supporting this. Instead of trying to focus on things like making firearms harder to acquire, you go and stop playing violent video games (Which World of Warcraft hardly fits in here).
 
GUNS CAN BE EASILY PURCHASED, BUT AS LONG AS THEY CAN'T BUY VIDEOGAMES, IT'S ALL GOOD, AMIRIGHT?

The stupidest thing about this is that MW2 would make a terrible, terrible war training simulator. Seriously, that game is so arcady and unrealistic that any success he had as a murderer was probably in spiteof playing it. I wonder if he tried to quickscope any of the kids he killed. Was he using Stopping Power or Cold Blooded? And banning World of Warcraft? Because he used it to "cover up the time he spent plotting"? Clearly this means that Wow is a dangerous game that shouldn't be sold to people. Yeah, that makes sense. Absolutely no gross logical inconsistencies to see here. And here I thought we had reached the point that everyone understood that video games aren't dangerous. Now this stupid crap happens and we're back to square one. Unbelievable.

This is the only respectful course of action. I'd like to see retailers across the world do the same in a show of solidarity. I know I'm done playing violent video games. 

I heard he liked guns as well which, coincidentally, he used to actually KILL these people. How about we ban those?

@spoilars said:

I'll just get in line with the other Norwegians on here in saying that I don't know anyone that has ever bought a game at a Coop store. Platekompaniet is another story, but as previously stated, it's one of the most expensive stores to buy games at in this country. A new PS3 game will easily set you back $100. This is clearly a knee jerk reaction, and I think (hope) that it won't persist or spread to any other outlets.

This might already have been quoted, but another national electronics retailer, Spaceworld, put out a statement in an interview with the NTB linked to this story in which they stated that "We can not see any connection between the tragedy which has occurred and the fact that we sell video games. We have never seen any research concluding that a video game alone has led to events such as this"

I must say I've bought plenty of games from the low price bin at my local Coop Forum store (their Supermarket chain previously known as Obs). Their selection of new releases is usually very small and ridiculously expensive though.

Now they are blaming everyone.. Musicians,Gamedevelopers and today they blamed on Lukas Moodysson a director... Jack Thompson must be so happy right now.. that m.th.r f...er

Yeah really, who cares, no one buys video games in coop anyway  (Beside maybe grandparents). 

I'll just get in line with the other Norwegians on here in saying that I don't know anyone that has ever bought a game at a Coop store. Platekompaniet is another story, but as previously stated, it's one of the most expensive stores to buy games at in this country. A new PS3 game will easily set you back $100. This is clearly a knee jerk reaction, and I think (hope) that it won't persist or spread to any other outlets.

This might already have been quoted, but another national electronics retailer, Spaceworld, put out a statement in an interview with the NTB linked to this story in which they stated that "We can not see any connection between the tragedy which has occurred and the fact that we sell video games. We have never seen any research concluding that a video game alone has led to events such as this"

@fisk0: My point was this still doesn't make sense. One crazy bastard mentions two video games and suddenly coop and Platekomaniet goes haywire. Does this mean that games kill? Why not ban violent films as well? In a sense this guy has set an agenda. I for one refuse to let this guy affect my way of living.

You can buy Counter Strike at a retail store...?

Sounds reasonable. Elf violence is a known predecessor to real violence.

I do want to say that while Coop pulling the games off shelves is definitely reactionary, my heart goes out to the victims and families of the victims. It's a horrible tragedy and I wish the best for everyone.

Sure blame video games for a Knight's Templar fanatic.

This might sound mean and blackhearted, its not meant to be, its meant as a logic argument to shut these anti-video game people up. i love kids, have many little relatives I'd give my life for, so this is not meant to be creepy or mean.
 
BUT if video games make you a ruthless, cold, calculated, trained killer - I doubt that this one guy would have been able to kill 86 teenagers who probably play more games than he did. They all had the same "evil video game" training he did yet none of them did what he did or had the "skill" he did. None of them had been brainwashed to be be a crazy asshole like him. So by pure logic, if all 200 people in the Norway shooting incident had done similar things with video games, and one went crazy, that is not any sort of proof that video games make you nuts or train you as an assasin.

This guy said he went to the Templar meeting in Britain way back in 2000 anyway, so he was nuts before WoW came out.

Well if he specifically stated that he used them to train then that's something different altogether, rather than the standard banning of games due to some barely discernable link to the event

@Kyreo said:

This will only encourage piracy.

I assume Norway has more than one game store. Like Platekompaniet or something.

Also yeah kind of a weird reaction to that news. Especially where it says it is of no economic importance, which is kinda nuts. Good to respect the victims, but this doesn't really feel like a gesture of respect, more like a paranoid reaction.

Do the staff never read the forums or just not care about them? Because this story was covered there a significant amount of time ago

There will always be messed up people in the world, no matter what others try to do to prevent that.

Anyways, while they are it, stop selling forks and knives! They could be used to stab others.

Do the staff never read the forums or just not care about them? Because this story was covered there a significant amount of time ago

Why not set up a fund or donate to the victim's families? You know, something that's actually helpful.

I guess it wont be affected much elsewhere other than the grocery stores of COOP, so my fear of having to suddenly start importing from UK is relieved, THOUGH I think it's really short sighted and illogical that they again jump to the conservative thought that violent videogames was the cause of this psychopath's outrage, he said himself, his acts were merely politically motivated. Getting this off shelves will not stop psychopaths from mass murdering people, mental treatment of possible candidates at least helps it.
again though, thankfully this is a grocery store chain, not a regular retailer, no one buys games the same place they buy tomato-sauce, but go to actual game retailers such as gamestop, platekompaniet and electronic stores like elkjøp and stuff.

Well...that's a bit dramatic. I'm not sure that things like that should be banned, although it is certain that everything we view or participate in has an effect on us, for better or for worse. That doesn't mean that playing Black Ops turns you into a serial killer, but it certainly can desensitize you to violent content. I know far too many parents who do not understand ratings or the content in the games they let their kids play - and that ignorance is what should be addressed. The ESRB is great, but I think that restricting the purchase of M-rated games by those under 17 would go a long way to helping parents realize it's an equivalent to the R rating.
 
That said, kneejerk reactions cause more problems than they help in most cases. This is extreme.