He Just Wanted To Do "Hoodrat Stuff"

Along with the release of Grand Theft Auto IV last week came the expected condemnations. The game's too violent, degrades women, encourages petty crime, the sexual content too mature for teenagers, debases society etc. etc. The reviews, one the one hand, have not only been raves, but now frequently turn up on the front pages of mainstream publications suggesting the widespread acceptance of video games in contemporary America. The New York Times, for instance, calls Grand Theft Auto "a violent, intelligent, profane, endearing, obnoxious, sly, richly textured and thoroughly compelling work of cultural satire disguised as fun. It calls to mind a rollicking R-rated version of Mad magazine featuring Dave Chappelle and  Quentin Tarantino, and sets a new standard for what is possible in interactive arts." Personally, as a visual storyteller, I'm intrigued by the narrative possibilities of these kinds of games. On the other hand you got TV news stories like this one, which happened probably around the same time GTA IV hit the $400 million worldwide sales mark. Was the joyriding little kid driving his grandma's car like a video game? Quien sabes. All I know is I want a PS3 so I can  get in on the virtual mayhem myself.

Comments

[Youth Radio Los Angeles]

wow dude! i heard about this kid...but i had never seen the video...I'm not blamin the video games, all i'm sayin is that maybe this kid just sees way too much...

[Youth Radio Los Angeles]

wow dude! i heard about this kid...but i had never seen the video...I'm not blamin the video games, all i'm sayin is that maybe this kid just sees way too much...