October 22, 2003 - The Associated Press is reporting that Sony Computer Entertainment, Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games have been named in a $246 million lawsuit that claims the Grand Theft Auto series "inspires and trains players to shoot at vehicles and persons" after a pair of Virginia teens killed one woman and seriously wounded another on June 25.
Take-Two and Rockstar had this to say:
The Company believes that the claims against it are without merit and are similar to lawsuits brought and uniformly dismissed by courts in other jurisdictions where the plaintiffs' sought to hold entertainment companies responsible for the violent behavior of individuals who used those company's products. The Company intends to defend vigorously the action against it and seek a dismissal of the action.
The suit seeks $46 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages from Sony Computer Entertainment, Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games, as the marketers, publishers and designers of the Grand Theft Auto series.
Attorney Jack Thompson is representing the families of the shooting victims and has previously made charges against Halo, Everquest and other popular titles as diversions that promote violence.
IGN will have more on the Grand Theft Auto series in the coming days and weeks.