Well, today's the day. Grand Theft Auto 4 is here. I may be the only gamer out there that doesn't really like GTA, from all the hype and excitement I see. Surely there must be some other folks who can't bring themselves to play?
Rockstar clearly created this video with Jack Thompson in mind: "Here, Jack, chew on this. That's how much you scare us." But it has served at least another purpose: I am definitely not getting GTA4.
The snippets of gameplay show me that it is much the same, and the changes are to graphics and story. But it's a story I don't want to be part of. I don't want to be that person, even in my fantasy life. Gordon Freeman, I'm happy to be Gordon. I can even tolerate being Duke Nukem, if I have to. But the world of GTA is such a banal world, richly decorated with an excess of pretty repulsive things, that I just can't be part of it.
I'll admit it, I may be passing up an interactive Sopranos here, and from the looks of things, they're clearly aiming to emulate the show (again). Art of excess is a valid mode of expression, which is why I would never want to prohibit a GTA or Manhunter or any other game of that sort. But just as I recognize its validity, I also recognize my freedom to not play it, not be part of it.
Maybe I'm getting old.
Comments (1)
I'm with you Harry. I mean, GTA is fun for a while but it's not nearly as diverting as other games. And it just seems so monotonous to me--while the games are huge I haven't felt like I am experiencing new things as I progress. GTA is like a high-calorie snack--there's a bit of a rush but it's just empty calories.
I've recently (in the last year and a half) gotten big into a cool MMO which I think you're familiar with. It's far more immersive than GTA and I'm a pretty social person so I prefer interactions with real people.
Posted by Will | April 29, 2008 11:44 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 11:44