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| APRIL 28, 2008 |
"If there is this big causal trend you would expect to see a large leap in violent
crime among kids, but there is not," said Mia Consalvo, an assistant professor
specializing in video game research at Ohio University.
Rockstar unintentionally made it easy for critics by patching over instead of
removing a raunchy mini-game crafted into the software of the prior GTA title,
according to Consalvo.
Hackers figured out how to unlock the game with a "Hot Coffee" modification that
spread quickly on the Internet. An ESRB probe cleared Rockstar of wrongdoing
but resulted in the game being re-rated adults-only.
GTA's appeal is fueled by a captivating story line and an open-world format that
lets players go where ever they wish in a virtual New York City area, according
to Woo.
Most video games are "linear" in that characters move along pre-programmed
paths in animated worlds.
"Instead of just watching a movie and being fed the story you can can go
another way and the movie goes in that direction," Woo said of the freedom
players get to roam about in open-world games.
"That is what people want; more interactive entertainment rather than watching a
TV show."
The blend of controversy, innovative play, and compelling story along with the
momentum of a series started with the release of the first GTA game in 2004
create a "perfect storm" around the franchise, Consalvo said.