If you're naive enough to think the problem lies with GTA, rather then the childs up-bringing, then I feel sorry for you. Whether he plays HL2 or GTA, it makes no difference what-so-ever, trust me. This thread is a bit [cabbage] really, the point doesn't make any sense and it isn't easily backed up. Roll on the flame/rage/spam/rant/ego war :) EDIT: also, I thought about what you said about playing HL2 because of the puzzles, helping his mind etc? I bought HL2 in 2004, I would have been 11. I completed the game in around 4 - 5 hours, first time on moderate. There is no mental challenge here, at all. If you think a child needs a mental challenge and stimulation, you send him to school or pay for a private tutor. Or at home, you give him a cross word puzzle, a book, [bleep] - the tv will do more than HL2 will. You say he's ignorant? I think YOU'RE ignorant, VERY.