Aleks’ Domain

A misleading title actually. To me, there is no controversy. How can there be? Yet, some people seem to insist that this game must come off the shelves. It must be boycotted and frowned upon by everyone. Well, I have news for these people: you’re ignorant fools.

Now before I go on let me say that I play no console games whatsoever. I will never own GTA4, and will never play other blockbuster titles like Halo. Which by the way GTA4 surpassed within it’s first week in terms of sales. So you can think of my opinion as almost neutral in a way. In any case, I cannot understand the big deal about GTA4. It has received perfect scores from many reputable reviewers, so the game must be good. Hell, more than good. It’s probably down right amazing. A fine showcasing of what can be achieved through modern storytelling using some of the latest technology in graphics, physics and the like.

That alone, to me anyway, makes me swell with a little pride at how far we’ve come in terms of what we can create. GTA4 is a work of art. So what are people complaining about then? Well, no masterpiece is ever without controversy. It seems that killing virtual people, having sexual scenes, partial nudity and glorifying crime are only few of the complaints against GTA4 here. I don’t exactly know what playing violent games does to you psychologically, but they’ve been around for a while. The cases where someone kills someone because they’ve picked it up through osmosis from a violent video game are few and far between. But that’s all they are. Isolated cases. In fact, they’re on par with the cases where violent video games has helped people overcome bizarre situations.

Nevertheless, I can see why some Christians (and other people who think they uphold a higher standard of morale than everyone else) might want to boycott this game. To me, it’s a degrading game. I will even go as far and say that I look down on people who actually play this game. But if they want to, it’s their choice. I will not force my views on other people. I don’t even want to boycott this game. It’s a technological work of art. All this ridiculous controversy is only making the game more popular, and in turn increasing it’s sales. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this game. Even though I don’t like it, I have to admit that there is nothing wrong.

So what if you’re glorifying crime? So what if you’re treating women like garbage? It’s all virtual! It’s not real. Let me say that again. It’s not real. I know for a fact that if I ever got hooked on this game that I would never do any of those things, because after all it is just that. A game. What’s more is that I think most people realize this. There is absolutely nothing to worry about. The people playing aren’t anymore desensitized to crime or treating women badly than they were before. I am confident that if someone witnessed a crime some time after playing this game, they will still likely shit their pants just like they would have if they never played the game.

If you can’t appreciate this game, then at least appreciate the technological aspect of it. Not only that, but appreciate the story. Which is just amazing from what I hear. Also, a lot of novels are filled with crime, erotic sex, and much more. Compared with GTA4, these books are a thousand times worse.

I can keep writing, but I won’t. I think I’ve said enough.

But I will add this…you boycotters need to take your heads out of your asses and look around. A little fresh air will do you good.