Grand Theft Auto: The Game Behind the Controversy

Video games are popular among individuals of all ages. Many children are learning to play video games as young as five years old. When first developed many video games where aimed at younger children; however, that has definitely changed now.

With many different video game console systems video gamers have a wide variety of choices. In addition to choosing a specific gaming console there are also an unlimited number of video games to play with. These video games can range from cartoons to fighting games.

With a wide variety of different video games and different ages groups many video game developers have started rating their video games. Similar to movie or television ratings these ratings often prevent violent games from getting into the hands of young children. Although they do not prevent children from obtaining violent games it does reduce the likelihood.

One of the games that has sparked controversy for a number of years now for violence is Grand Theft Auto. Grand Theft Auto was first developed in the late 1990s. The game has players become criminals who can raise in criminal rankings by completing a number of crimes. These crimes often include beatings, car jacking, robberies, murder, and street racing.

Even though the videogames are based on fantasy there are number of individuals, including many parents, who did not approve of the game. These individuals felt that they game was encouraging game players to be violent. Although the majority of individuals can play a video game and leave it at that there are a number of others who cannot.

In the late 1990s there was also an increase in the number of school shootings around America. In a number of cases the shooters often claimed that a particular movie or music song make them do their crime. Millions of other teenagers watched that same movie or listened to the same song without any problem, but for some reason certain teenagers were affected.

The gun violence among with many other crimes committed by teenagers worried many parents and government officials. Despite their concerns Grand Theft Auto was listed as a best selling game and later more games were developed. Right now there are about six Grand Theft Auto Games. These games often take place in different cities and incorporate a number of different crimes.

The most recent Grand Theft Auto games are made for the computer, an Xbox, a Playstation 2, and a PSP. Normally a videogame can be purchased from a wide variety of locations. These locations commonly include online, a media store, a gaming store, or traditional retail stores. Due to the controversy surrounding the Grand Theft Auto Series a number of popular retail store have refused to carry the games.

In addition to being banned at a number of well known retail locations there are many parents who have banned the Grand Theft Auto games from their household. Allowing your child to play a Grand Theft Auto game does not mean that your child will develop violent tendencies; however, the finial decision should be an agreement between yourself and your child.


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