Sometimes you just don’t have the words. Sadly, when you’re writing a story you actually do need to have some, so I’m writing this through the grittiest teeth I can muster: the Daily Star newspaper is claiming that a “Raoul Moat version” of “Grand Theft Auto” is in production over at Rockstar.
The game, which to our knowledge doesn’t actually exist in any official capacity, is causing “fury”, with the newspaper citing “gaming websites” that apparently “showed the cover of Grand Theft Auto Rothbury – a version of the XBox hit Grand Theft Auto”.
We struggled to find any mention of such a game on any official channels, although a few spoofs have been floating around for a while.
The ‘mock-up’ that the Daily Star picked up is below, taken from the newspaper’s site:
The game, again, according to the Daily Star, “is named after the Northumberland town where Moat, 37, hid then shot himself after his gun rampage in which he shot ex-lover Samantha Stobbart, 22, killed her lover Chris Brown, 29, and shot and blinded Pc David Rathband, 42 in both eyes.” Thanks for reminding us.
The Daily Star then has what appear to be quotes from Samantha’s grandmother Ann Hornsby, 69: “I can’t believe someone wants to make money out of people who have been killed. It is sick – it’s blood money. The game is beyond belief.”
“Someone wants to make money out of people who have been killed”? Yes, someone does. By writing fabricated stories based around a commonly demonised entertainment medium to sell newspapers. As dedicated fans of video gaming, we’re with Mrs. Hornsby – it is sick.
Update: The Daily Star have now pulled their “story.” Unfortunately for them, the internet never forgets.
Rob92
They cannot be serious. Its beyond belief that this would ever get the greenlight and come on, its totally ridiculous.
Absoloutely shocking. The Daily Star should just stick to sports and naked women, there is no way it can do serious journalism.
icuyesido
Right that’s it, I’m going to rob a car, run over a police man, steel his gun, sell his gun for some bombs and go to The Daily Star’s offices put the editor and writer together give them each a trigger for a bomb in the other one’s pocket and watch to see who presses first, then I’ll walk away from the offices in slow motion, looking over my shoulder at the exploding building….Stop moaning about video games there fun….lol
stuarth51
There is actually nothing else to say other than waht has already been written already, disgraceful, and as this is about the gaming community, Rockstar will be lucky to get a pathetic apology in the corner of a page when the Star realises they’ve got it all wrong
hazelam
that first sentence sums up my reaction perfectly, what do you way to somebody that would make up a story like that just to sell a paper.
i mean, i’ve seen some despicable shit done by some of these tabloids, but fuck, that is just beyond fucking disgusting.
i really hope they made up that quote, i’d hate to think they actually talked to that women who nearly lost a granddaughter for a bullshit story like this.
i mean if they did make her believe there was actually a game being made of this causing her who knows what kind of distress just for their bullshit made up story.
i don’t think even the daily mail would stoop this low.
the book i can believe, but i doubt any studio would have any plans to be making a film of that headcase’s life, and nobody from any major developer, even the people that make the gta games, would consider making a game based him.
sadly, i bet there are people who will believe it.
i just hope people realise that rag is doing exactly what they are unjustly accusing the game developers of doing.
unless of course rockstar are planning a moat gta game, which i find incredibly hard to believe.
hazelam
i guess that first sentence didn’t apply to me after all.
turns out i had plenty to say after all.
i rant when i’m angry, you may have noticed.
Aquastyle
Wow, what an unprofessial newspaper, spreading bullshit like this. Here’s hoping Rockstar sue their ass…
PoorPaddy89
No, spreading bullshit is what professional papers do. They’re just doing their job of promoting nationwide panic and hate.
Amphlett
Scandalous! Bl@@dy scandalous! Everyone knows that GTAIV was out on the PS3 as well as the xbox. Sloppy reporting!
PoorPaddy89
Bloody M$ fanboys! Sony FTW!
;)
skibadee
SUE THE RATS.
Danza Di Fuoco
Grand Theft Auto: Okay I’m tired of this game
skibadee
then don’t play it.
bunimomike
The link to the article doesn’t work any more. Funny that.
Ok, whoever made the cover was having some fun. Some tasteless, questionable fun, but I get that. However, the fact that a tabloid would then run the story as “truth” is beyond me. Sure, bend the facts. Exaggerate a little but don’t make shit up from nothing. Please!
hairfreax
I am speechless, i dont mind bad humour etc but this really takes the biscuit