If the name "Grand Theft Auto IV" doesn’t give away the violent and explicit content of the latest teenage video game craze, then the multiple warnings on the packaging do. "GTA IV" carries a "Mature" rating for "blood," "intense violence," "partial nudity," "strong language," "strong sexual content" and the "use of drugs and alcohol."
Available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the Grand Theft Auto franchise has become perhaps the most popular series of games for young teenage boys, despite the fact stores are not supposed to sell it to anyone under 17. The latest release, in fact, could become the top-selling video game of all time. It went on sale April 29 and already is among the top-selling video games on Amazon.com.
The game revolves around Niko Bellic, an immigrant from Eastern Europe who lives in "Liberty City" — essentially a faux name for New York City. The video gamer, playing the role of Niko, steals cars, kills cops and gang members, runs over pedestrians on the sidewalk, gets drunk, visits strip clubs and is seen with prostitutes. The game has multiple critics, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which is upset that players can get drunk and then drive.
The Parents Television Council (PTC) is criticizing Toys‘R’Us for selling it. PTC also is calling on stores to check IDs and not allow children to purchase it. A 2007 survey by the National Institute on Media and the Family found that half the time, teens under 17 were able to purchase video games with a "mature" rating.
"Legally, stores cannot sell children pornographic magazines or handguns," PTC’s President Tim Winter said in a statement. "[Selling GTA IV to minors] is wrong." (BP)
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