For a long time now, I've heard nothing but how video games (and other entertainment mediums) are to blame for society's faults. A hot topic in this issue is Grand Theft Auto, a game developed by Rockstar North. Grand Theft Auto IV was just recently released and people are already calling it a slue of names that don't describe it at all. Some people call it a "murder simulator", others call it a "virtual sex game". Whatever the name, the people saying these things are wrong.

    People such as Miami lawyer Jack Thompson continue to push for the removal of games such as Grand Theft Auto from store shelves, arguing that it encourages you to commit various horrendous crimes. So far, the crimes I've encountered while playing Grand Theft Auto IV are... hmm, none actually. Why none, you ask? Because it's a game. I'm not really out killing cops, beating up hookers after engaging in sexual activity with them, stealing cars, mowing people down on sidewalks using those cars, going to strip clubs and receiving lap dances... several times, or driving drunk (while doing most of the things just mentioned). I'm not doing any of that. I'm relaxing in my living room having a good laugh at a fun game, because that's all it is. A game. Nothing more. At the end of a long session of GTA IV, somehow I still know that it'd be wrong to kill a hooker for my money back after having sex with her, then run over her body several times in my stolen car while laughing.

    Some people say it's becoming increasingly difficult to keep these games out of the hands of children. That's true. Do you know why? Parents keep buying it for them! I rarely ever get carded for cigarettes (I don't smoke, but I buy them for friends), yet when I went to buy GTA IV, the first thing the cute chick working the counter said to me wasn't that she wanted to take me out for a drink after I finished my daily cop killing. No, instead she asked to see my identification before allowing me to purchase the fine game I was holding in my hands, almost drooling over. Let me say that again. I don't get carded for cigarettes, but I get carded for video games. My brother is 25 and he got carded for the game as well. He doesn't even get carded for beer. That's a pretty solid system I would say (the video games, not the alcohol). Personally, I think the alcohol is a greater threat, but whatever. So let's come to the only logical conclusion on the matter: parents aren't doing their jobs.

    Certain people argue, "Some people cannot distinguish between reality and virtual reality. Do you think this is good for them?" No. I don't think it's good for them. These people need professional help. What people fail to realize is that crazy people were still just as crazy before violent video games came along. Let's ask Ted Bundy if he was encouraged by a video game. Oh wait, we can't because he's fucking dead. He was executed almost 10 years before Grand Theft Auto was released for the PlayStation. Do you think video games were to blame for the [anywhere up to] 100 people he killed (and then sometimes had sex with)? Fuck no. He was a crazy bastard, there's nobody to blame for that but himself (and maybe his parents).

    If you don't want your kids to have these things, don't give it to them! They can't get it unless a parent buys it for them. Some people say, "Well, what if I went out and bought my child the game?" You just answered your own question, you're a fucking moron! I am in no way agreeing that children should have these games. But at the same time, unless your child suffers from a mental illness distorting his/her perception of reality, there is no reason they would not be able to maintain the idea that the things they experience while playing games such as Grand Theft Auto are wrong to do in real life.

    The game does not encourage you to kill cops, nor do you get points for it in the game. In fact, if you want to actually do the missions in the game, it might be better to completely avoid the cops altogether. The more crimes you commit, or the more cops you kill, the more cops will come after you, just like in real life. Killing cops makes the game more difficult. Killing cops makes it more likely that you will be arrested and/or shot, just like in real life. The game punishes you for killing cops. People seem to overlook this when making their argument that GTA is the devil. Which it isn't. Some people are just stupid.