New game may be biggest ever

ELYRIA —More than 20 “Grand Theft Auto” videogame fans lined up Monday night outside GameStop in Elyria for the fourth installment of the controversial game.

The release of “Grand Theft Auto IV” is such a big deal that, as with the Harry Potter books, retailers held midnight release parties to mark the title’s arrival.

Denise Smith of Elyria stood patiently as the 11th person in line and said braving the cold temperatures was worth it for the love of the game and her boyfriend.

“The graphics of the game (are what make it special),” she said. “It’s really a surprise for my boyfriend. I’m braving the cold for him.”

Store staff brought out hot dogs and pop for those waiting in line. An employee wouldn’t say just how many vouchers they had handed out, but admitted they expected a number of customers to show up based on the success of past events.

The notoriety of the “Grand Theft Auto” series stems from its violent content.

From the rocket-propelled grenade that shoots down a police helicopter to the punch in the face delivered to a former friend, the depictions of realistic violence in the newest video game are raising fresh concerns.

“People think video games equal kids, and that if it’s just a game, it should be fine,” said Robin Burke, a game-development professor at DePaul University. “But the idea that a game is made for a mature audience, we (as a society) don’t have our arms around that yet.”

“Grand Theft Auto IV” is rated M, intended for mature audiences over 17, because of blood, intense violence, partial nudity, strong language and use of drugs and alcohol.

Rockstar Games, the maker of “Grand Theft Auto,” has provided only minimal details of the game, but here’s the story line, according to an early review by the Times of London online: Gamers play the role Niko Bellic, an eastern European immigrant lured to Liberty City (New York in disguise), who must “climb the greasy pole of the underworld.” Players will face choices, experience seaminess and have access to 15 different weapons, from a simple brick to a military-grade rocket.

For Smith, the content of the $60 game is just the thing she’s looking for.

“(The game) lets you do everything you can’t do in real life — especially for a girl,” she said. “It lets you be one of the boys, while still looking pretty.”

 

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