PRESS RELEASE FROM WASHINGTON

A four-page press release was issued recently, including the

following:

The role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), has been a

major factor in casing at least 9 suicides and murders, according to

two public citizen groups. Bothered about D&D (BADD) founded by Pat

Pulling, the mother of one of the victims, and the National Coalition

on Television Violence have called for required warning on all D&D

game books and for counter-advertising to inform the public about the

deadly effects.

The evidence presented by the citizen groups is based on police

and newspaper reports as well as interviews with family members.

These document a pattern of youths becoming deeply involved in D&D.

Suicide notes and numerous details connecting the deaths with the game

have been found with the bodies.

Dr. Thomas Radedki, M.D., psychiatrist at the University of

Illinois School of Medicine, and chairman of the National Coalition on

Television Violence said:

"The evidence in these cases is really quite impressive. There

is no doubt in my mind that the game Dungeons and Dragons is causing

young men to kill themselves and others. The game is one of non-stop

combat and violence. Although I am sure that the people at TSR mean

no harm, that is exactly what their games are causing. Based on

player interviews and game materials, it is clear to me that this game

is desensitizing players to violence, and, causing an increased

tendency to violent behavior."

Dr. Radecki expressed concern that NBC psychologist, Dr. Joyce

Brothers, continues to be the paid spokesperson for Dungeons and

Dragons, promoting it as healthy play. Dr. Brothers has stated, "I

reflect for the company what's going on in people's lives. The game

is very interesting to me because it is a cooperative game."

Dr. Radecki responded, "While Dungeons and Dragons is a game of

cooperation and working together, that cooperation involves

cooperating in violence, premeditated murder, and war. While it does

stimulate creative fantasies, these fantasies are of killing and

horror. There is a need to get the honest information out to the

American people. The research is overwhelming that violent

entertainment is having a harmful effect on its participants. The

changes are most often gradual and subtle. When a children's game is

documented to cause many death, it should not be promoted through

advertising and cartoon programming. Every Saturday morning millions

of children see the half-hour CBS Dungeons and Dragons cartoon,

introducing them to this violent game."

The two organizations cited above have asked the U. S. Trade

Commission to require that warnings be placed on the covers of all D&D

books, stating that the game has caused a number of suicides and

murders; and to require that CBS, or others, warn viewers and request

them to get the message of the Surgeon General on entertainment

violence.

Posted by Tim Scheele on Computer Direct BBS

Computers for Christ - Chicago

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