Rockstar already expects controversy over GTA IV

by Griffin McElroy { Feb 3rd 2008 at 12:00PM }

While it doesn't take a soothsayer to guess that Grand Theft Auto IV is going to make quite a splash in the pool of a number of family watchdog organizations when it's released upon the world come April 29 -- Dan Houser, Rockstar's VP and writer for GTA IV, recently said in an interview with Yahoo! News that he expects the fumes of controversy to waft especially thick and heavy over this particular chapter in the GTA franchise.

Why, you might ask? What could be worse than territorial gang violence, drug trafficking, or poorly rendered depictions of consensual sex between two adults? Houser explains -- the studio will definitely be hearing about certain gameplay elements, such as drunk driving, and the inclusion of current-gen advancements in video game strip club technology. Well, duh -- if a space marine and his azure-skinned concubine can't tastefully bump uglies without a media explosion, we doubt an in-game visit to The Booby Trap will be overlooked.

Tags: controversy, dan-houser, danhouser, gta iv, gta-iv, GtaIv, hot-coffee, rockstar, rockstargames, taketwo

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

playwhutyalike @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:05PM

Really?.............Really?

Dan @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:58PM

I guess they'll have to give it an M rating...

or would that be too simple?

Anticrawl @ Feb 3rd 2008 4:11PM

Read: Rockstar wants controversy over GTAIV. Only way to push sales for a washed-up franchise with nothing new to offer other than "Submarines and Kites."

baby sea tuna @ Feb 3rd 2008 5:00PM

Man, I so hope we get to fly kites in this game. That's some OG gangsta shit right there. You know, like makin s'mores...

Batzarro @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:06PM

This looks like a job for CAPTAIN OBVIOUS! But regular, universe 646 Captain Obvious, not Ultimate Captain Obvious...

Negativecool @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:43PM

It sounds obvious enough, but many publishers/developers don't defend their work as much as would be desired, Rockstar in particular.

I really hope they are prepared for war. I really hope they can justify their work in a smart and intellectual manner to the hordes of completely misinformed and ignorant parents/media.

All forms of media deemed inappropriate and detrimental to young minds (in music, movies, tv, etc.) have gone through their trial by fire, and all successfully defend themselves through their respective outspoken champions who defend their work with intelligent arguments and reason. (Such as when Steven Spielberg has his work like Schindler’s List or Saving Private Ryan broadcast unedited on network television)

GTIV will no doubt be the most high profile game to date. And consequently, will be put under the microscope by many a 24 hour news channel that needs something sensational to report. With this game, Rockstar has either willingly or unwillingly catapulted themselves into the very front lines of this war of ideals between gamers and the video game phobic media.

They are not only going to have to defend their own work, but video games in general. I’m not sure yet if I trust in Rockstar to do that, but I sure as hell hope they come out swinging the day it is released!

universe 646 Captain Obvious @ Feb 4th 2008 11:21AM

iz ok. I b here. Hay gusy. I gut somfin for u.

GTAIV is going to be controversial and people will be upset.

F-Forward @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:07PM

I hope that it won't be as controversial as Mass Effect. If games continue to have such things, all games will be banned. Publishers really need to check the games for such things, and don't publish them if they contain such stuff!

Noshino @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:25PM

First, why would they be banned? we have porn, which is openly distributed, well, you do need to be an adult to buy it (I know there are many people that will find workarounds) and you can always find it for free on the internet...

Look, I believe that games, or anything for that matter, shouldnt be banned, I mean, parents go buy games like this for their kids and then when something happens (even if it has nothing to do with the game) they are quick to point fingers at the developers/publishers...there is a rate system for something, not only that, but there is the internet, and you can do a quick research about what the game is about...if you want to be an ignorant parent, be my guest, but if you are going to blame a group of people that put some many hours so people that can do it enjoy their games, then I say screw you, go cry to H Clinton or Jack Thompson...or whoever else might make you feel like you are a good parent...

Second, Mass Effect is nothing compared to GTA

Seriously, if there was ever a list about the most controversial franchises, GTA would be on the top, then it would be Manhunt, and right after it Bully...

And the thing is, with the exception of Bully, the controversies around these games actually boost the sales quite a lot...

F-Forward @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:30PM

I didn't think I would pass trough anyones sarcasm detector with a reference to Mass Effect... :(

Beatz @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:10PM

Advancements in strip-club technology, huh? I'll definitely have to...uhh, study this new technology.

LaughingTarget @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:46PM

Already planning out your 360 achievements, eh?

Autopsy15 @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:06PM

"Achievement unlocked! Pervert! Spend over 1000 hours in the strip club."

Vegnagun bwf @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:12PM

If FOX can find something controversial about Mass Effect then we can expect a lot from GTA IV. Some, if not all, will be exaggerated. Expect Geoff Keighley to don his mask and cape once more to clean up the lies.

quickshade @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:17PM

Is duh an appropriate comment?

Benson Leung @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:20PM

I can't wait. It'll be a great game, and the controversy will be hilarious to watch all of the idiots come out of the woodwork who want to censor everything.

WON'T SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!?!?!?

playwhutyalike @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:44PM

But not the poor children.

Autopsy15 @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:07PM

Or the orphans.

BigD145 @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:23PM

But maybe the unborn children.

JerJer @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:31PM

lol at media helping generate revenue for things they supposedly "dont approve of"

Batzarro @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:34PM

Can you hear that? It's a future drunk driver, blaming his manslaughter on GTAIV...

snowy @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:39PM

this is old news

SID SPACE @ Feb 3rd 2008 12:41PM

"...if a space marine and his azure-skinned concubine can't tastefully bump uglies..."

Am I the only one who thought that link was going to lead to Master Chief + Cortana porn?

...I guess I forgot/didn't know shepherd was a marine.

Tim @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:13PM

No you were not the only one. When the link opened to up the mass effect controversy was like oh duh!(smacks hand to forehead)

Justin B @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:59PM

Master Chief a naval officer, not a marine.

And Cortana is violet.

SID SPACE @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:11PM

eh, semantics :p

FM @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:25PM

I'd take Liara any day.

Ihavepants @ Feb 4th 2008 12:53AM

"Master Chief a naval officer, not a marine."

Hmm last I hear marines were part of the navy.
He is a marine officer perhaps?

engler @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:02PM

Thanks Rockstar for fighting the good fight.

JakubK666 @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:12PM

Finish teh fight. Nuke Fox Studio. Kill Jack.

spoo @ Feb 3rd 2008 3:08PM

Fighting the good fight??!?

This just seems to be another episode of R* pushing the obscene envelope for no other reason but to add controversy, since controversy = sales.

Don't get me wrong I don't mind sex, drugs and gore in my games but I hate when any of the above is added just to make a stir.

It is like the movie "A History of Violence" that adds a crazy long rough sex scene that adds nothing to the movie but pause everything else just to have a long "controversial" rough sex scene.

Waits for the spoo=prude comments that are totally untrue.

Roto13 @ Feb 3rd 2008 3:28PM

I'm going to have to agree with Spoo here. This is why I don't buy Rockstar games.

Intentless @ Feb 4th 2008 8:53AM

And this is why I have played grand theft auto since the good old top down two PCs system linked days...

Liam @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:08PM

They'll stoke the fire and lap up the press, as per usual. Free advertising is nice.

Jamie @ Feb 3rd 2008 7:02PM

http://www.last.fm/user/IJaK/

Is that you?

On topic:

"How do I stated the obvious?"

Liam @ Feb 4th 2008 10:47AM

Yeah, pretty much.

Mike @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:10PM

I wish someone would just shut them up by saying its a Mature title and be done with it. Makes it a non-issue if you consider its a title for adults. You wouldn't/shouldn't take little Johnny who's 12 to a SAW movie and you shouldn't let him play GTA4. Pretty simple if you ask me. With the amount of adults playing videogames these days.. why can't we have ADULT only titles? It's not the companies fault if the stupid parents can't control their kids.

Gangsta Smurf @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:11PM

Strippers 1080i FTW

ThornedVenom @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:42PM

Of course we're going to expect controversy from fear-mongering people with loud voices.

But I dunno if it's a good reason to use that provocation as if it were free publicity. It's to their advantage, but it feels immoral.

Jamesology @ Feb 3rd 2008 1:47PM

It's funny how these ppl criticize violence in video games, by which is not to be taken seriously. But promote stalking ppl, "constantly," like they do with celebs. Now I am confused if stalking ppl is wrong or right. If these adults do it why shouldn't I?

Nigeria @ Feb 3rd 2008 2:12PM

"Now I am confused if stalking ppl is wrong or right."

I checked Wikipedia and it said that stalking was a criminal offence. Though, on some of the examples citations were needed...so...I don't know.

You can't really trust Wikipedia. Go with your instinct. If you want to stalk someone, go for it.

Just make sure to bring a flash-light and binoculars.