GTA IV - Controversy Already?

[MC]

Let me state right off the bat that this isn't an April fools joke.

It would seem the recently released trailer for the next installment of the popular Grand Theft Auto series is already causing problems. So far, from what I found, most the controversy is centered on the New York city landmarks shown in the trailer:

The trailer features familiar New York City landmarks, including locations and structures resembling the Coney Island Cyclone, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and the MetLife Building (branded as "GetaLife"). The trailer uses a similar cinematic style to Godfrey Reggio's 1982 documentary film Koyaanisqatsi and used Philip Glass's original music from the film (a section of the track "Pruitt-Igoe") as well as emulated time-lapsed filming.

Rockstar has stated that all the trailer's footage is generated real-time by the game's engine RAGE, running on an actual game console, and was not pre-rendered. The footage is running on an Xbox 360.

After the release of the trailer, New York City officials responded to the news that it is based on their city. Officials were appalled with the choice of New York City as the inspiration for the setting of the game, and said that a game like GTA does not represent the city's crime levels accurately. A spokesman for Mayor Michael Bloomberg said "The mayor does not support any video game where you earn points for injuring or killing police officers".

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto_IV

 

[sub]

The funniest thing about all the hate on GTA is how uninformed they all are. Check this quote out:

"In previous incarnations, players advanced through the game by killing cops, selling pornography to children and killing prostitutes."

There aren't even any children in the god damn game.

Link

 

[Spunky]

Haha...hahaha...hahahaha...ha...ahhh...

 

[Andy011]

The funniest thing about all the hate on GTA is how uninformed they all are. Check this quote out:

"In previous incarnations, players advanced through the game by killing cops, selling pornography to children and killing prostitutes."

There aren't even any children in the god damn game.

Link

Wow... just wow... wtf some people should just cut themselves for always talking through their buttholes... they get on my nerves, seriously! =/

Call it stupid/retarded/whatever for getting upset over something like this, but I love the GTA series and... just... WOW!!!

 

[Zeonix]

"In previous incarnations, players advanced through the game by killing cops, selling pornography to children and killing prostitutes."

2 out of 3 isn't that bad.

Considering what happened a few years back, it's understandable that political figures would be a little hesitant to stand back and pretend a game that allows you (and encourages you) to cause mayhem in an actual city (albeit with a different name) is fine and dandy.

I don't agree with them, but I understand where they're coming from. NYC wasn't always lollipops and rainbows, and no one likes to be reminded of that. This game is just a little too real for some people.

 

[Chakra-X]

You get points for killing police officers? The game punishes you with lethal force for commiting a crime how is that bad =/?

 

[Zeonix]

How do you get punished? I remember getting bored, and trying to kill as many cops as possible to get the military to attack me. The worst thing that happened was I died and they took away my weapons.

Other than that, you're basically free to do as you please unless your goal is to get arrested.

 

[Tassadar]

You get points for killing police officers? The game punishes you with lethal force for commiting a crime how is that bad =/?

Yeah... and dying in GTA is never cool... you lose your weapons and some money...

You know they should praise GTA for it's representation of cause and effect. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. You kill someone, cops kill you. Like in real life. You get punished... no one ever sees the good side of GTA.

 

[Zeonix]

When I kill a cop, the cops are usually unable to kill me, what with me being in god mode and all.

Just like in real life.

 

[Chakra-X]

When I kill a cop, the cops are usually unable to kill me, what with me being in god mode and all.

Just like in real life.

Yeah by 'punished' I meant you can't really do whatever you want unless you want to go up against a tank, normally. Meaning killing cops isn't even praised in GTA...Though killing old ladies give you money but I digress.

When it gets to the point where we can form sports cars in air, speed up time, and get the army on our ass just by pressing the right button, you destroy the educational values that Rockstar is intending! You know what I see when I kill a prostitute after she is done pleasuring me? I see integrity.

 

[Zeonix]

Prostitutes don't have souls. That's why you get "points" for sending them back to hell.

 

[frsrblch]

It wouldn't be GTA without controversy.

 

[Vegeta]

Good! Take them the **** down. It's either illiteracy or idiocracy. I don't want argument, and I don't care about your opinions, what's simple is simple. They're pushing it, and they are either provoking this or they just plain don't give a **** if they defame important cities, people, etc. All they've ever done is set bad examples; gangs, drugs, sex, murder, rape, etc. This is practically what most of my anger stemmed from. The facts are on the table - I am so glad I don't play any of this garbage anymore.

The gaming industry was interesting before games like this were made.

 

[Ravendust]

Why do games always get this kind of flak? Films get away with much more than any game has, portrayed more realistically too.

 

[Spunky]

Good! Take them the **** down. It's either illiteracy or idiocracy. I don't want argument, and I don't care about your opinions, what's simple is simple. They're pushing it, and they are either provoking this or they just plain don't give a **** if they defame important cities, people, etc. All they've ever done is set bad examples; gangs, drugs, sex, murder, rape, etc. This is practically what most of my anger stemmed from. The facts are on the table - I am so glad I don't play any of this garbage anymore.

The gaming industry was interesting before games like this were made.

Actually, GTA (both as a project, and as a very entertaining game) is quite interesting. You kinda have to know a bit about the game before you can judge, so maybe you should go buy it, and love it. Once you do, you'll quickly realize that it isn't the game that sets a bad example, it's the idiot parents who allow their 10 year old punk ***** kids to play it. Then, 8 years later, when the kid goes on a sniping spree, the parents act like their child is an angel and they have no idea where they went wrong with him.

I have no trouble playing the game. It doesn't make me want to go out and get into fights, or shoot people, or run them over, or pick up hookers and then kill them to get my money back. No, it really doesn't. It's a form of entertainment, nothing more. When I'm in GTA, I'm in GTA. When I'm not in GTA, I'm back to my normal self. And I happen to be a pretty cool guy (not to toot my own horn, of course ). I don't cause problems, I'm generous and giving to my friends, and I do my best to be a good citizen.

GTA has done nothing wrong. Humanity has.

 

[Ravendust]

Usually the people who are first to criticise the GTA series for being immoral are the ones who haven't experienced it firsthand. There's no rape, there's no 'kill 10 pregnant women in 10 minutes' mission. In fact off the top of my head I can't think of one point in the game where they ask (let alone force) you to commit a crime that isn't justified in some way.

Sure you can sleep with hookers, but it's done in a humourous, tongue-in-cheek style. A lot of people enjoy the games just for the freedom aspect.

 

[Zeonix]

Anything Rockstar puts into GTA pales in comparison to what actually exists in NYC, so don't get your panties into a bunch. If anything, it'll make people think Manhattan is full of ponies and fairies.

 

[SaiyanPrideXIX]

You all need to calm down, on both sides of the fence. The game's gonna suck and be overrated just like all the other ones.

As for making people do things...all playing GTA ever made me want to do was play a different game.

 

[Optimus Prime]

You all need to calm down, on both sides of the fence. The game's gonna suck and be overrated just like all the other ones.

As for making people do things...all playing GTA ever made me want to do was play a different game.

Pride, do you always have to stir the pot in every single GTA thread? Do you get some quasi-masturbatory pleasure out of reminding us that you loathe the GTA series, seemingly unjustifiably, and claim that its popularity is because wannabe gangsters run IGN and Gamespot?

The whole routine is actually getting pretty tired.

Not to mention, you used to throw temper-tantrums when ever anyone bashed Sony, and yet you seem to love tearing up one of its most popular franchises, we're bored, find something else to whine about.

 

[sub]

Prostitutes don't have souls. That's why you get "points" for sending them back to hell.

Quote of the month right there