Grand Ol' Controversy
The newest installment of the "Grand Theft Auto" videogame series already has become a political punching bag in the city that inspired its virtual setting -- and the game isn't even scheduled to hit stores until the fall.
The New York Daily News reported over the weekend that local government officials in New York City erupted after Take-Two Interactive, the label behind "Grand Theft Auto IV," released a trailer for the game last week. The clip contained virtual footage of several Manhattan landmarks, including the Empire State and Chrysler buildings.
City Council Public Safety Committee Chairman Peter Vallone told the newspaper that "setting Grand Theft Auto in the safest big city in America would be like setting Halo in Disneyland." Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said it is "despicable to glamorize violence" in games like “Grand Theft Auto” no matter how far removed their settings are from reality.
Take-Two is currently beating back lawsuits in Florida to block sales of "Grand Theft Auto" and "Manhunt 2" to minors.
The company, which also went through a board room shake-up last month, did not comment in the Daily News’ story – a detail that the Game Politics blog did not let go unnoticed. -- Michael Martinez
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