In 2001, the video game series “Grand Theft Auto,” which explores the criminal underbelly of big city life, caused a media uproar with its use of violence, language and explicit content.
Only three years later, one of its sequels “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” flooded the air waves when an explicit mini game was found embedded in its code. To say the least, the series has developed quite a bit of infamy over the years from critics who declared it a contributing factor to the increase in violence among youth.
I was about 10 years old when I first played “Grand Theft Auto.” I had begged my mom into submission and she finally relented in renting me the game. Oddly enough, after playing I did not feel the need to run people over in a car, nor did I feel that way when I played its sequel “Grand Theft Auto 5” this past Tuesday.
Have video games become the scapegoat for violent crimes? It seems that more often than not video games are held culpable simply because they exist whether they had any input into actual crimes or not. Games as a medium have continued to evolve and change over the past 20 years. It is very easy – yet very inaccurate – to clump all the video games into one category. Like movies, video games have evolved into many different genres. Some are action. Some are family-oriented. Some are horror. Just like not all movies are appropriate for children, not all video games are appropriate for children.
Case in point is the recently released “Grand Theft Auto 5,” the next installment in this infamous series. “Grand Theft Auto 5” follows the exploits of three different characters, Michael, Trevor and Franklin, as they attempt to escape normalcy in their lives by means of bank heists. The game is notable in its ability to immerse the player in Los Santos, the fictional city where the game takes place, but in many ways, it acts like an interactive television show or movie telling the story of these three people.
The story is satirical in its reflection of American culture, media and lifestyle. As such, the violence only accents the story that the developer Rockstar is attempting to tell. The game is meant to be appreciated from a mature point of view to understand its complexities.
Compare this game to a game like “Wii Sports,” and there is a huge difference. “Wii Sports” caters to families, while “Grand Theft Auto 5” is targeted at a more mature audience. There should be a place for these type of stories within the medium of video games. Just like HBO has “Game of Thrones” or AMC has “Breaking Bad,” both shows that focus on mature concepts, “Grand Theft Auto 5” and games like it should be able to stand unscrutinized.
Ultimately, it is up to consumers to allow what they decide to digest or not in the world of Internet, movies and games. Some may find such games like “Grand Theft Auto” tasteless, but they should not be targeted as the cause of violence just because they have violent content. As the video game industry continues to grow and evolve, its stories will continue to vary and cater to different age groups.
