Open discussion: What is your opinion of Grand Theft Auto IV?

I've never played the game, and I won't let my family near it.

Let me add to my comment above:

Yes, I'm sure that most people will understand that this is game, not real life, and it is someone's form of "entertainment." However:

1) Unlike the games where people are shooting aliens or whatever, drunk driving happens everyday, all over the country. The effects destroy lives.

2) Even though most people will take it for what it is, a game, there are a LOT OF MORONS out there. Just watch the news. In addition to the morons, there are those that are desensitized to the carelessness, cruelty and violence that take place in these games. Those people are even scarier than the morons.

I don't consider myself a prude in any way. I believe in allowing older children (10 and above) access to CERTAIN adult-type themes, provided there is an open, honest discussion along with it. This sort of thing depends on the child's maturity level.

It's the drunk driving thing that really put this one over the edge for me. In high school , I was part of a statewide teen commission to educate high schoolers about drunk and drugged driving. A Gather friend here, Cynthia N, lost a sister to a drunk driver.

This is too big a problem to be considered a game. There are also people who drive under the influence who don't think they're hurting anybody.

Kathy, if the game didn't include drunk driving, would you have a different feel for it? Would you be more comfortable with adults playing it?

(Note/disclosure: I haven't seen this game. In the past I have played GTA: San Andreas)

The guest on the air is talking about how sophisticated the game visuals are. The sandbox element (where people can do whatever they like, not just missions) is next in convo.

I got a chuckle from the coverage last night on NPR. GTA has a number of"in-game" radio stations. One of them is "Public Liberty Radio". It's motto is "preaching to the choir". :)

Not much. The creators are just feeding the mindless need for violence by the newer generation.

Greg, Midmorning actually played a clip of that GTA radio station on the air this morning and I laughed so hard I nearly ruined my keyboard. Very, very funny. Yes, we can laugh at ourselves. Don't tell anyone.

As someone who has played earlier versions of GTA, I found the radio stations, locations, and advertising parodies appealing. The "sandbox" of it is very fun, but I was terrible at the missions.

Juan, one of the words you chose stood out for me, "mindless." Several people have said they use the game to blow off steam. Do you think some of this might be a need for an escape?

Julia, yes as is most things such as alcohol and drugs this type of game can and may be used as an escape from the real world.

Melinda, you've played GTA before? I don't have a system for GTA IV so I can't check it out for myself.

Thanks for following up, Juan.

never played it i like vice city the best dont think anything else is much better i can play that one real good