The call of the real Juarez

A couple of days ago, the legislature of Mexican state Chihuahua, where the city Juarez is located, approved a request to ban the newest installment in the Call of Juarez series.

Why? Well, believe it or not their argument is a very simple one - the children. Seeing that Juarez is a very violent place with over 6,000 murders last year alone, legislation is pulling to keep this game off shelves  and out of the hands of the kids in Mexico.

Kids are drilled in schools to "duck and cover" at the sound of gunfire. They're exposed to the dangers of violent cartel gangs day in and day out. The last thing they want is for them to be exposed to a work of fiction that may glorify the violent life they tr to avoid. I understand why they would want this game banned. But we don't know exactly what the game is about yet.

The only real details we have so far:

"You'll embark on a bloody road trip from Los Angeles to Juarez, Mexico immersing yourself in a gritty plot with interesting characters and a wide variety of game play options. Take justice into your own hands in this modern Western shooter."

I hate the fact that games are banned in countries but for once I see a reason that I could understand. The middle eastern countries have done similar bans because they impose on their religious beliefs or ways of life. I can back legitimate reason why you would want to keep such games away. Usually countries, like Australia, feel the need to ban a game because it has a character picking up prostitutes or throwing someone off a roof. I don't want to hear a bullshit excuse to ban a game. Almost every country has a prostitution problem or murders but they don't go around banning games. And choosing the argument that they influence crime is the weakest argument to choose. Last year Australia saw 302 murders of which 59 were commited with firearms. Urugauy has not banned violent games such as GTA 4 and they still had less number in murders. So did Greece.

Whether they choose to ban the game or not is a choice they will have to make but I hope that they make it well. Either way, I'll be behind them on this one.