The Hubbub about Grand Theft Auto IV
Posted by: orboy on: May 1, 2008
I’m sure if you haven’t seen the billbaords and bus signs, you’ve read about it in the papers or online: Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA), the new video game from controversial game developers Rockstar.
What’s the big deal? Well, basically, this video game is the playable equivalent of The Godfather… with maybe a few more strip clubs. While this certainly isn’t a good thing, especially for kids, the game does come with an ESRB rating of Mature – about the equivalent of R in movies (which is what The Godfather was rated).
MATURE
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
This pretty much defines what GTA is. And as such – being Mature – retailers aren’t allowed to sell it to anyone under 17. To get this game, an individual under 17 would have to do pretty much the same, whatever trickery that might involve, as if he were getting an R rated movie.
Furthermore, does a game really pose a greater threat? With movies, the violence and sex is pushed to the viewer. There’s nothing you can do to control what you see. You’re getting it whether you like it or not. With games, you have to go out and find it – perform certain tasks and actively pursue these evils. I know plenty of people who play the GTA games (IV and those before it) not for the sex and violence, but just driving around in the open world with the numerous vehicles available at your disposal.
So why are people getting their panties in a bind over this? The game itself is already appropriately marked (Mature). Don’t give the developer’s any more flak. They simply produced some high quality entertainment.
It’s not like video games make kids join gangs.
5 Responses to "The Hubbub about Grand Theft Auto IV"
May 2, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more, steph. The fact that anyone would find this type of thing “entertaining” is scary. I mean, really scary. It’s not right.
May 3, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Its role playing, and people inherently want to do what they’re not allowed to do. Its like the oh-so-sought after “forbidden love.” It’s so much hotter because it’s not acceptable.
In the case of this game, you can perform such things in no-consequence, virtual environment. Go wild, do what you want – what you normally wouldn’t do in real life – and just have fun, with no real (life) consequences. And it’s not just about the sex and killing; there are so many other things to do. Its an open world with almost limitless possibilities.
Even if it is “scary” or “not right,” it is human. The fact that real people thought it a worthy venture to pursue the creation of a game is indicative of that, but moreso, the fact that it is the best selling game franchise of all time, having multiple records for most copies sold on the first day of release.
May 5, 2008 at 6:09 am
I’m so friggin’ torn. On the one hand, I’m disgusted that such things could be considered entertaining. On the other hand, with all the experience I’ve had working with adult content, I’ve learned to respect the fact that people can find the most perverse things a turn-on. And because it’s fantasy — and only fantasy — I have to respect that. Because fantasy doesn’t necessarily reflect real-life desires. I suppose this is the same sort of thing, but I have a hard time not judging when the actions being played out can be so violent or perverse.
May 6, 2008 at 12:04 am
And don’t get me wrong. I do understand where you’re coming from. I get that. But boy, do I like driving around in cars wreaking havoc in a fake city. (I don’t play for the perversion, though, admittedly, it does help add to the games “bad ass” attitude.)
May 2, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I think the “big deal” is that — while R movies make viewers just that, a viewer of awfulness (though admittedly complicit in some way) — video games cater to those who would actively seek out and “perform” these actions.
I mean, apparently, a player can pick up hookers and then kill them, horrific actions accompanied by such dialogue as “Stay down or I will finish you off!”
I understand your argument that the game is mere entertainment, and not necessarily a gateway to real-life actions, but why in hell would such sexualized violence ever be considered entertaining in the first place!?