So tomorrow is the highly anticipated day everybody has been waiting for, right? The day the next must have video game launches. I have never played a Grand Theft Auto game. In fact, I have never played a single game in that genre at all, not because I am horrifically offended by the subject matter but because it simply isn’t my thing. I very much believe you can have games with inappropriate content as long as the audience is mature enough to handle it. Hell, I beat druggies to bloody pulp with rusty lead pipes all the time in Condemned. I should be able to handle a little Grand Theft Auto IV, right?
I wasn’t planning on picking up this game but I’m actually considering it now. I am certainly not going to hit the midnight release parties and perhaps it will be a while before I can even get my hands on a copy, who knows? But more than anything else, I am curious to see what I think of the overall tone of the game given the obvious controversial nature of the prevalent themes. I was having an email exchange with a friend about just this quandary this morning.
me : I think I may pick up GTA4 just to write about my experience with it as someone who has never played that genre. It could be quite interesting, …
him : GTA4 eh? Considering you were upset about the lack of female lead vocals in Rock Band I am sure that you will really be pleased with the way females are treated in GTA. Just make sure you kill a few hookers to get the full experience. ;)
So my deliberation continues, to GTA or not GTA?
Posted by Jim 028 on April 28, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I say go for it.
I say that mostly because after reading your opinions on many aspects of the gaming world on this blog, and I know that I am interested in your opinion on this game. I’m sure many of your other regular readers would be interested as well.
Also though I have played most of the previous GTA games, and have always enjoyed the large sandbox gameplay, and the fact that while you are a gangster you have the choice to be a ‘gentleman’ gangster or a total psychotic gangster, you have so many possibilities as to how you can play a game like this that I feel makes it well worth playing at least the once.
Posted by Hugh on April 28, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I say, do it. It looks fun. :)
And I’m not usually a GTA fan, for the record. I played 30 minutes of San Andreas, once. That’s about it.
Posted by -S- on April 28, 2008 at 1:12 pm
ANGEL DON’T BE A FOOL
GTA 4 rated by IGN a PERFECT 10
They have not given a game that rating (including all of the Halo’s) in 9 years
NINE YEARS.
They also mentioned in their 10 page review that GTA 4 is in their minds hands down the best game since Ocarina of Time
Yes, I’m serious. Go read on 360.ign.com
Posted by Eudaimo on April 28, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I have always found this to be an interesting aspect of GTA.
As you know, many people who play the game pick up hookers, then kill them. But not everyone does this.
There is also misogyny in the characters, but that is consistent with the fact that they are consistently painted as scum.
My point being that I disagree with those who reduce GTA to a “hooker murder simulator.” You can kill any NPC, and I’ve never seen a GTA game try to “convince” you to seek out and kill a hooker.
If you nonetheless bothered by the game, I won’t tell you that you are wrong. Just vote with your dollars and don’t get it.
But if you haven’t played a GTA before, now would probably be a great time to start. It’s a fun game, and different than most. And they are saying that multiplayer is a blast.
Posted by bs angel on April 28, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Eudaimo, you touch on the main reason of why I am considering playing this game. The only thing I know about it is the picture the media has painted. So while I don’t enjoy the sandbox genre, I’m extremely curious as to the reality of the game vs. the stereotype image of the game.
Posted by -S- on April 28, 2008 at 1:33 pm
wellllll actually.
It’s interesting – you should really read the IGN review I mentioned earlier, Angel. The makers of GTA took a “goody two shoes” approach to the main character…kinda. He still does bad things, but they say it plays out like a really intense drama movie where he has no choice, and you really get a sense for his character and take his side….he’s a good person. You know, unlike the other GTA’s. I can’t wait!!!
Posted by bs angel on April 28, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Reading the reviews would defeat my purpose of playing this game. I really don’t like this genre at all (the open ended-ness of it is not appealing to me, I prefer campaigns with a beginning, middle, and end) so my sole purpose would be to play the game with only the knowledge of what the media has told me about it. I’m more interested in seeing the differences in the actual game and what the mainstream media presents it as. Does that make sense?
(I do appreciate the links though!)
Posted by mendicantbias00 on April 28, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I think, having never played the genre, you could paint an unbiased view of the game. I know that the misogyny of the genre is prevalent in the media, but I have several female friends who like the game for what it is. Which as Eudaimo said is not all there is to do. If you have the means, I would give it a try.
If not…you can always try to rent it!
=D
Posted by mendicantbias00 on April 28, 2008 at 2:00 pm
^^ An open-ended game where you can go on rampages and see how long it takes to get nabbed by the cops/or feds. And can play a game without “killing hookers” .Which as Eudaimo said is not all there is to do. If you have the means, I would give it a try.
**Sorry i think faster than I can type =/
Posted by bs angel on April 28, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I haven’t treated myself to a new game in quite some time so I have no problem with going out and forking over the money for it. I think I will, as a social experiment more than anything else. I’m really fascinated by this sort of stuff. Media portrayal vs. reality. Should be interesting!
Posted by Crazyeye0 on April 28, 2008 at 2:11 pm
GTA Is perhaps one of the most boring games I’ve ever played, yet I get forced into hours of it when I go to a friends who happens to own it, and all that happens is random generic AIs being shot for no reason with lots of swearing and hooker killing. *Yawn* I’d pass if I were you.
Posted by -S- on April 28, 2008 at 2:11 pm
But the media hasn’t said anything about this game yet :(
Posted by bs angel on April 28, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Kotaku has great coverage of it going on right now. I haven’t read any of it but I have seen tons of articles on their site.
When I said media, I meant more of the government officials that try to get it banned, the ones that warn parents to not let their children play it (well, duh), the groups that cry foul for the objectification of women, things of that nature. The negative coverage, which may or may not be an accurate portrayal.
Posted by Revshawn on April 28, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Well, some of the sexual things are going to be more apparent in GTA4 than it is in the other games. It will be very obvious what the hookers are doing in the vehicles, and you can pay them for certain services.
My advice to you is to save your money and wait for Saints Row 2 to come out. After all, in that game you get to design your own character. And the sexist barrier is removed….you can be a woman in Saint’s Row 2 and raise your own gang from inferiority to ruling the city.
Posted by NsU Soldier on April 29, 2008 at 1:04 am
Like any game, rent it first and then buy it only if you really like it.
As for me, I played a bit of GTA 2 and 3 but never really liked it. Yet I also play Condemned and enjoy it, so I guess it’s not the violence that gets to me. I think it has to do more with how the core gameplay, I always thought it was a bit, boring.
Now if you want an open ended third person game, I suggest tracking down a copy of Mercenaries for the Xbox. Can’t wait for Mercenaries 2! Oh, Yeah! :D
Posted by silvercube on April 29, 2008 at 1:56 am
GTA IV is not for everyone.
Besides the “unkosher content”, the genre really is not my type.
It would be interesting to see if you did get it. If I got it, it would be like playing Crackdown. I did not like that game very much, and they both sport similar styles.
And now back to Lumines : )
Posted by Johnus Maximus on April 29, 2008 at 5:07 am
I’ve been a big GTA fan since the first PC edition way back in the 90’s.
I’ve found them all to be fun games with great storylines, layered with much tongue in cheek humour and certainly worth a try. I’ve played just under 2 hours of GTA IV and already loving it.
My answer to your quandary is “to GTA”
Posted by setters on April 29, 2008 at 5:47 am
I’ve really enjoyed the KOTOR1 & 2, Obilivion & Morrowind games but GTA just doesn’t appeal to me…
I’m like the fantasy aspect of the games I think & whilst it would be a complete fantasy that I would become a gangster, it’s just not my bag. But I think like BS I’ll probably pick it up in a couple of months to see what I think.
Posted by El Burritoh on April 29, 2008 at 7:44 am
I’m not sure how they can call the game an open sandbox but funnel the player into lewd acts and criminal behavior. If it’s going to be open, the character needs some real behavioral options. I don’t see that in any of the GTA games.
“As you know, many people who play the game pick up hookers, then kill them. But not everyone does this. ” Not everyone does what? Kill the hookers or pick them up to begin with? How can we put “prostitution” (for starters) and “video games” in the same sentence and expect non-gamers to be cool with it? I mean seriously. Prostitution? Gaming? Huh?
Heck, the fact that this type of game is so incredibly popular worries me.
I’m in the camp of people who believes that just like movies, there are games that exist that should be avoided not only by kids, but by “adults” as well. Media and entertainment DO have an affect on people.
I know I’m on the losing side of this debacle, but I guess I’m just one of those who care to draw a line at some point.
Posted by bs angel on April 29, 2008 at 9:47 am
Burritoh touches on many important points. I have always avoided this game because of the flagrant lack of values. Again, I have not judged others who have played it, I have always simply gone with the opinion that it just wasn’t for me.
And there lies one of the issues. Where is that line? Video games in general feed on our fantasies. We can be in a rock band, we can pretend we are our favorite sport star, we can be complete bad asses and fight off hordes of zombies, we can be race car drivers, the list is endless. Where do we find the line between decency and not? I love Condemned. You kill druggies with your weapon of choice throughout the game. I love Dead Rising. You can freakin’ run over a zombie with a lawn mower. What about realistic games like CoD4? I avoid those like the plague, I want no resemblance to real life when I play.
I guess that just answered my question. My line is drawn when it borders on reality. And my reality is nowhere near GTA. Will I be offended by how females are treated in this game? Honestly, I just don’t know. As a 31 year old mother, I am as interested as anyone else to see how I feel about it.
I wholeheartedly agree, which is why I feel parental involvement when it comes to video games, and absolutely anything else, is so very important. This is definitely one of those games that I think the rating needs to adhered to with no exceptions.
(Thanks for stopping by with your opinion Burritoh.)
Posted by silvercube on April 29, 2008 at 9:58 am
“What about realistic games like CoD4? I avoid those like the plague, I want no resemblance to real life when I play.”
That is exactly how I feel on.
You and I have very similar tastes when it comes to video games. : )
Posted by Excardon on April 29, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I do see how people can be offended by things like this, however I personally take everything as a grain of salt. It is a game and it is not real. Hell, I’ve gone and picked up a hooker (or anyone for that matter) in GTA III and hit them with a car or whatever just for fun. If anyone knows me well enough I do have great respect for women in general and always treat them as such in real life.
When it comes to children of course I do believe that age restrictions are needed. Of course though they get their hands on it due to bad parenting and/or the parent’s ignorance of game ratings (even though they are stricter than movie ratings)
On a side note the one thing I absolutely can not stand (and I am just referring to people in general, not anyone who has posted or will post) is when people can bitch about video games being horrible and then let their kids go see a PG-13 movie (which can have violence, swearing, and nudity) or a rated R movie and not say a word. Or they can go pick up the lastest rap CD which glorifies drugs, sex, and violence even sometimes more so than games like GTA.
Yes I DO know the old arguement of “Well when you watch a violent movie it’s not like you are choosing to kill a person, the movie character is doing it” Well, I personally don’t see much of a difference if I sat my kid down in front of GTA IV or had him watch Hostel with me. Actually, I would think that movies are worse for kids because it is stuff that is portrayed to be more realistic because it is using real actors, not animated ones like in video games. Hey, if you really want to get technical, what about shows like CSI? They are pretty darn graphic and show you how the guy messed up so you know what not to do when planning your next murder.
But since movies are socially acceptable more than video games, people (baby boomer generation in particular) want to cry about it more because it is something new.
Just like music was the devil back in their day, video games are the new thing to put up under the microscope.
/end rant
Posted by agdTinMan on April 30, 2008 at 1:05 am
I’d say get it. I’d actually really like to hear your opinions on it, being so into video games as you are, and given the fact that you’re not a dude.
Actually, I take that back. Get it if it looks fun for you. If not, forget about it. That’s really the only reason to get games, right?
Posted by mendicantbias00 on April 30, 2008 at 3:21 am
Bought it.
Played for four and a half hours.
Loved it.
Have not been with (nor killed) a single prostitute.
=D
Posted by Andrew Alliance on April 30, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I wrote about this on my blog: http://andrewalliance.wordpress.com/
Here’s what I wrote:
Alright, so how’s not writing about this game? Surely I must post something? Smith haven Mall, Suffolk county, Long Island is where I found my self and my neighbor (the BS3 owner) heading to the mall for the midnight run. I went there to chill and keep him company (that’s what friends are for) with no real strong interest in GTA IV. Well, Let me explain, I did plan on getting the game at some point and I was really excited for him getting it for his BS3. As the night got closer to 12.00a something happened. While we were hanging out he made me an offer i just could not refuse. Yup, you guessed it – I went home that night with a copy of GTA for 360.
So for someone who had no intentions of even having the game so soon nor getting caught up with all the hype and billboards at the LIRR (Lollipop girl etc.), I must say and admit “the game is freakin awesome and I’m hooked. I wasn’t trying to be hooked but it just happened. See, I’m not the “buy every game on the market” gamer, I usually wait and when I’m ready, ill make the move. As I think about it now with about 10% into missions and about 1000 G, I would of been really stupid for passing up the opportunity to own this game. So my neighbor autographed it and it was well appreciated.
Unless you’ve been hibernating for the last 3 months, there should be no reason for you not to have GTA in your library. As far as the game goes, it deserves a 10 for all that you can do in it and I didn’t even play the multiplayer yet. I did get laid though by my girl friend (she’s expensive), I beat my cousin roman in pool and I plan to beat him in darts too. I took Michelle to the clucking bell (that may have done me good) because after that she was all over me. Got some new Jeans and sneakers. I even ran the toll a few times without paying the five bucks (cop magnet). Time flies because you feel like you’re in a big movie doing all these missions and the only reason I may not be playing right now is because of necessary hindrances (work, sleep, wife wants HD screen, etc.).
GTA IV? Yes please, thank you.
Posted by Xor1an on April 30, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I find it amusing that the game contains a sort of embedded dating/romance simulation. You take your girlfriend out on dates to advance your relationship with her. That part of the game hardly shows the negative stereotypes of women that the media has been covering so much. We probably haven’t heard much about it because people won’t get upset about a game where you take your girlfriend bowling.
There certainly are a wide variety of bad things you can do in the game. However, there’s a range of both good and bad things you can do, bad and good characters you can interact with, and there are plenty choices. While you can’t really play much of the game without engaging in virtual criminal activities, it’s not all lap dances and murdering hookers.
Speaking for myself, I wasn’t planning on rushing out to buy GTA IV, but then I heard about the on-line multi-player which sounded like a lot of fun. And then I started to see a lot of good reviews of it. And then I started to see people on my XBL friends list playing it. I did enjoy GTA III, but I never managed to finish it. I may not finish IV either, but I’m already enjoying it.
Posted by bs angel on April 30, 2008 at 6:35 pm
As of right now I am leaning towards no, simply because I don’t want to fork over $60 for a game that probably won’t interest me. Perhaps I will go with a rental, but with BioShock due to arrive on my doorstep within a week and Jericho still sitting unopened on my shelf, this purchase is not looking likely.