This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-24142883
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto role 'could destroy Hawick's reputation' | Grand Theft Auto role 'could destroy Hawick's reputation' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A Hawick councillor has said he is "absolutely disgusted" at the use of the town's name for a "druggie hipster" district in Grand Theft Auto V. | A Hawick councillor has said he is "absolutely disgusted" at the use of the town's name for a "druggie hipster" district in Grand Theft Auto V. |
| The name of the Borders town features in the latest edition of the computer game series. | The name of the Borders town features in the latest edition of the computer game series. |
| Local councillor David Paterson said he feared it could "destroy the reputation" of Hawick. | Local councillor David Paterson said he feared it could "destroy the reputation" of Hawick. |
| He said a lot of people were "very proud" of the town and it did not deserve such "adverse publicity". | He said a lot of people were "very proud" of the town and it did not deserve such "adverse publicity". |
| Grand Theft Auto V was released this week and it is forecast it will sell 25 million copies. | Grand Theft Auto V was released this week and it is forecast it will sell 25 million copies. |
| The series is known for its "tongue-in-cheek" humour and regularly includes Scottish references with the game's maker, Rockstar North, being based in Edinburgh. | The series is known for its "tongue-in-cheek" humour and regularly includes Scottish references with the game's maker, Rockstar North, being based in Edinburgh. |
| However, Mr Paterson said he was unhappy for the name of his town - known for its annual common riding - to be used. | However, Mr Paterson said he was unhappy for the name of his town - known for its annual common riding - to be used. |
| "I am absolutely disgusted - there is a lot of history and a lot of good things happening in the town," he said. | "I am absolutely disgusted - there is a lot of history and a lot of good things happening in the town," he said. |
| "We have got a lot of good things planned for this coming year. | "We have got a lot of good things planned for this coming year. |
| "It is going to destroy the good reputation of the town." | "It is going to destroy the good reputation of the town." |
| The Scottish Borders councillor said he did not play computer games but he knew there were millions of young people who would buy the game. | The Scottish Borders councillor said he did not play computer games but he knew there were millions of young people who would buy the game. |
| "Why did they pick on Hawick?" he asked. "It is a lovely town. | |
| "It is perceptions, it is how people will perceive the town. | "It is perceptions, it is how people will perceive the town. |
| "They might perceive Hawick in a bad light and Hawick is a lovely place - a lot of people are very, very proud of Hawick." | "They might perceive Hawick in a bad light and Hawick is a lovely place - a lot of people are very, very proud of Hawick." |
| The situation has prompted the town's MSP, John Lamont, to invite the game's producers to visit the area. | The situation has prompted the town's MSP, John Lamont, to invite the game's producers to visit the area. |
| "I, like many other Hawick residents, was shocked to hear that the name of the town had been used in Grand Theft Auto V," he said. | "I, like many other Hawick residents, was shocked to hear that the name of the town had been used in Grand Theft Auto V," he said. |
| "Not only is it a game which includes violence, sex and drugs, but the game's producers themselves describe the area of Hawick in the game as having a 'drug addict hipster vibe'. | "Not only is it a game which includes violence, sex and drugs, but the game's producers themselves describe the area of Hawick in the game as having a 'drug addict hipster vibe'. |
| "While some may take the view that any publicity is good publicity, I am sure that many local residents will see this as an insensitive move from Rockstar North. | "While some may take the view that any publicity is good publicity, I am sure that many local residents will see this as an insensitive move from Rockstar North. |
| "The game undoubtedly portrays Hawick in a bad light and is likely to sell tens of millions of copies over the next year." | "The game undoubtedly portrays Hawick in a bad light and is likely to sell tens of millions of copies over the next year." |
| He said it was "unfortunate" they had portrayed a "fine Borders town in such a bad light". | He said it was "unfortunate" they had portrayed a "fine Borders town in such a bad light". |
| "They clearly do not know Hawick well, and that is why I have invited them to meet with me at my office on the town's High Street," he said. | "They clearly do not know Hawick well, and that is why I have invited them to meet with me at my office on the town's High Street," he said. |
| "Hawick is one of the most beautiful towns in Scotland and I am sure that by showing them the town and telling them of its proud history they will realise the mistake they have made." | "Hawick is one of the most beautiful towns in Scotland and I am sure that by showing them the town and telling them of its proud history they will realise the mistake they have made." |