I'm hooked on Grand Theft Auto. I bought the San Andreas version on clearance for $9.98 last year. I need to go down into the server room to play it on my hubby's media center PC since even my awesome new laptop, the Convertible, is too slow. I've accomplished very little in the game, just a couple of drive-bys, since I like to drive to the country to steal tractors and I spend a lot of time swimming in the ocean. I like the game so much I downloaded a couple of old versions from the manufacturer's website so I can play on my Convertible laptop once in a while.The game has engendered a swirl of media controversy and it seems everyone objects to the violence of the game. Katherine Kersten, from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, wrote a hilarious blog entry on Grand Theft Auto. She’s really angry about the game and perhaps a bit confused about video game technology, since she devotes a whole paragraph to the dangers of playing violent games on the Nintendo Wii. Grand Theft Auto is not available for the Wii.
What I find humorous about Ms. Kersten’s article is she is not angry because kids might play Grand Theft Auto and get the idea it’s OK to do a drive-by. Ms. Kersten is upset 29-32 year old adults are playing the game. She writes, “The average 32-year-old man who plays violent video games -- and spends his free hours fantasizing about murdering passersby and roughing up strippers -- is likely to be someone's husband and father. What qualities of character will his wife find when she looks to him for love, steadiness and fidelity?” It sounds like she’s implying people who play the game are mean to their spouse. I’m not sure there is any merit to her theory, since I’ve never mistaken Joey for one of the pixelated gang bangers in the game. I can usually tell the difference between my spouse and a video game character, even characters in games that contain advanced graphics. I think that’s one of the hallmarks of being a mentally healthy adult. If I ever start to confuse my co-workers with their World of Warcraft characters, I hope they bring me to the psychiatric unit at Hennepin County Medical Center.
I agree completely with Ms. Kersten that Grand Theft Auto IV is the crudest and most offensive game around. Why else would it be so popular? If the game’s objective was mowing the lawn as fast as you can or putting away all your laundry before the dryer buzzer dings, it would be totally boring. Then it would just be real life.
One of the great things about being an adult is you can listen to heavy metal music, watch horror movies and play any video game you want. I don’t buy this argument that just because you play a video game with shooting you're going to go bonkers. Even though I play Grand Theft Auto for a few hours a week, I haven’t tried mow down any streetwalkers with the Mini Cooper lately or aimed an AK-47 at a rival gang member. I don’t run into too many gang members or prostitutes in Farmington, but thanks to the realistic soundtrack in Grand Theft Auto, now I know how to greet them appropriately if I do. What's up, homeboy?
Click here to read Katherine Kersten's thoughts on Grand Theft Auto
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