Today, the latest installment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise hit the streets, and sales are estimated to be absolutely incredible. Reviews from major gaming publications have been consistently stellar.
I am a huge fan of sandbox games. I’m a huge fan of excellent gameplay, first-class writing, and I love an engrossing story. So, naturally, I picked up my copy of GTA IV today. I’m stoked to dive into Liberty City, but before I do, I wanted to share something with my loyal readers (all 3 of you).
On my way home, I tuned my radio to NPR, and - believe it or not - they were doing a major story on the release of GTA IV. It was interesting, unbiased, thorough, and overall very enjoyable! They even compared the controversy surrounding the mature content in GTA IV to the premier of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Only time will tell if their comparison is accurate (it may be awhile…it’s been a century since Stravinsky’s groundbreaking ballet premiered to riots in Paris). I’m not going to get into that controversy here, because we all have better things to do.
Okay, I’ll just say one thing. There’s a ratings system for a reason. GTA is rated M for mature. You must be 18 to buy this game, and retailers check IDs. It’s that simple. Don’t confuse developers who masterfully craft a unique, enriching experience meant for adults with shitty parents. /rant
It was refreshing to hear about Liberty City as a foil for New York, and American culture in general. I’m always thrilled when a quality game produced by quality people doing quality work receives praise. Despite objections to its graphic content (the game is rated M after all), GTA IV could be another one of this year’s games to provoke thought about ourselves and our society through its satire and non-linear gameplay.
Video games are a lot of fun. But that’s not all they are. In some cases (Bioshock, Mass Effect, GTA IV [?]) they are works of art that not only enrich and entertain, but also serve as catalysts and philosophical mechanisms for those willing to participate. I anticipate GTA IV being one such title. I’ll let you know in a few weeks.
Kudos to National Public Radio. Keep your eye on Digg for the latest.
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